2008 BMW 5 Series Security

With the BMW 5 Series Security, BMW offers an armored sedan in the premium segment of the upper medium category. Thanks to their unique security concept, the BMW 550i Security and the BMW 530i Security guarantee effective protection from criminal attacks. The two models combine state-of-the-art security technology with the sporty flair, ride comfort and exclusive fittings characteristic of the BMW 5 Series.
What is more, fittings such as the operating concept iDrive, BMW Night Vision and Adaptive Headlight including turning light and variable light distribution emphasize the outstanding status of the BMW 5 Series.
The BMW 5 Series Security is offered in two model versions, both of which have identical security features. Both the BMW 550i Security and the BMW 530i Security are fitted as standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The corresponding acceleration rate of the BMW 530i Security is 6.5 seconds. This includes Latin America, parts of South-East Asia and the Middle East and some states of the former Soviet Union. The criminal acts in question are frequently random in nature and generally speaking are not directed at the passengers themselves but are committed with the intention of stealing valuables or the vehicle itself. The BMW 5 Series Security is excellently equipped to fend off such attacks since the entire passenger cell is bulletresistant and its armor fulfils the requirements of ballistic protection level VR4.
The appropriate certification is provided by the German ballistic authority Beschussamt Mellrichstadt based on the norm for bullet-resistant vehicles, BRV 1999. At the request of BMW, the ballistic testing goes far beyond the usual requirements. In addition to the stipulated firing angles of 90° and 45°, the tests include other firing angles in order to make them more realistic, with the relevant certification being provided.
A precisely defined combination of casings, moulded parts and panels is used to armor the vehicle.
In order to ensure seamless protection and still preserve a lower weight, highquality and extremely carefully finished fibre mats are used for the armourplating of the BMW 5 Series Security. Aramid mats are thus used for the roof and the body columns and for the front wall to the footwell and the back wall to the luggage compartment. The protective mats in the areas of the doors are made of the even lighter and equally bullet-proof material polyethylene, which absorbs the impact energy of a projectile especially well due to its structure. Chrome-nickel steel is used for bordering the protective mats, sealing the gaps in the door sections and reinforcing window edges.

The security glazing of the BMW 5 Series Security consists of a 22 mm thick compound of plastic and glass. The window panes also have a polycarbonate coating which provides shatter protection for the vehicle interior.
This includes body joints, door gaps and the transitions between metal and glass. Due to the model-specific conception of the protective features, which also includes gap sealing, care is taken to ensure that neither projectiles nor shattered glass can penetrate into the interior of the vehicle at critical points.
In spite of the extensive security features, the generous interior of the BMW 5 Series Security is preserved virtually without limitation due to the intelligent space concept, with almost the entire range of extensive comfort features still available. The additional weight does not impair the dynamic character of the BMW 5 Series and the security vehicles thus provide the sporty feel which is characteristic of BMW. The additional weight as compared to the corresponding serial production vehicles is just 250 kg. The chassis of the BMW 5 Series Security is perfectly adapted to the additional weight. The electronics box in the engine compartment is protected by means of aramid panels so as to ensure it continues to function even in extreme situations. The BMW 5 Series Security also has tyres with emergency running properties. The driver of a BMW security vehicle also benefits from this in extreme conditions. In the BMW 5 Series Security, as in the serial production models of the BMW 5 Series, the driving dynamics regulation system Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is fitted, offering a wide range of functions. Regular dry braking optimizes performance of the brakes in the wet, while the start-off assistant facilitates the process of setting off on an uphill gradient.
The DSC system also includes the special mode Dynamic Traction
Control (DTC).
The chassis system Dynamic Drive also reduces roll movements of the BMW 5 Series Security on bends to a minimum. This ensures that curves in the road are illuminated accordingly. The swivel direction of the headlamps is derived from the position of the steering wheel, the yaw rate and the speed of the vehicle. This innovative control system, which like the turning light is part of the special equipment feature Adaptive Headlight, automatically enlarges the field of vision by specifically expanding the light cone in relation to the road speed. In motorway light mode, the field of vision is expanded by an elongation of the light cone and a more intensive illumination of the area to the left. As soon as the driver activates the fog lamps in addition, the variable light distribution function applies a wider light distribution in the speed range up to 70 km/h, as well as brightening the area close to the vehicle. At higher speeds, both the breadth and range of the light is increased.
The core of this system is a thermal image camera which detects people, animals and objects at the edge of the road at a distance of 300 metres and transmits a contrasting image to the central Control Display which is also used by the navigation system. In this way, the driver’s attention is drawn to possible dangers which cannot be identified with the naked eye.
The high-resolution images of the rear view camera with wide-angle lens are displayed by the system in colour and with optimised perspective on the Control Display. Interactive track lines also indicate to the driver the optimum steering angle and tightest possible turning circle. Early detection of dangerous situations ahead of the vehicle is facilitated by the innovative system Side View.
Security technology off the production line: Intercom system and alarm system.
The BMW 5 Series Security is fitted with an intercom system and an attack alarm.
The standard range of equipment also includes sun blinds for the rear and side windows which obstruct the view into the passenger area, as well as two side airbags at the rear. At the front, the BMW 5 Series Security is fitted with front, pelvis and thorax airbags as well as curtain airbags at the side.

Virtually all the other comfort options available for the BMW 5 Series are likewise available for the BMW 5 Series Security. In this way, the sedan combines the outstandingly high level of security ensured by the integrated protective features with extensive individualisation options.