SVI Engineering, leading specialist manufacturer of armoured products in South Africa, is pleased to announce that its popular Stopgun V2.0 armouring package for specific versions of the Hilux Single Cab is now fully approved by Toyota and available to order directly from any of the Japanese firm’s 200-plus dealerships countrywide.
Already the preferred choice in South Africa’s broader security industry, SVI’s cost-effective Stopgun V2.0 kit for choice derivatives in the Hilux Single Cab range is now officially backed by Toyota South Africa Motors. As a result, the bakkie’s standard manufacturer warranty and service plan remain intact, while the entire package - including the price of the base vehicle and the cost of the armouring kit - can be fully financed.
The Stopgun V2.0 package can be ordered from Toyota dealers as an optional conversion for any of the following four Hilux Single Cab derivatives, each of which employs the firm’s well-proven 2.4-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine (110 kW/400 Nm) and six-speed manual gearbox: 2.4 GD-6 SR 6MT, 2.4 GD-6 4x4 SR 6MT, 2.4 GD-6 RB Raider 6MT and 2.4 GD-6 4x4 Raider 6MT. As a reminder, level B6 armour provides protection against assault rifles, including AK47, R1 and R5.
“We’re exceptionally proud that our partnership with South Africa’s best-selling automaker - and our status as an authorised converter in Toyota’s commercial-vehicle partner programme - means the B6 Stopgun V2.0 package is now officially part of Toyota’s Conversions and Accessories product line-up, and is thus available to order from dealers nationwide. Already well proven in the field, our Stopgun V2.0 package has also passed Toyota’s rigorous durability test, which in itself is the ultimate stamp of approval,” said Nicol Louw, SVI Business Development Director.
As a Toyota Authorised Partner, SVI’s Stopgun V2.0 package was subjected to a comprehensive durability programme that included two 8 000 km stints on Toyota SA Motors’ dedicated durability track in KwaZulu-Natal. With each run representing 100 000 km of real-world usage, the product was effectively put through a gruelling 200 000 km evaluation.
A full teardown followed to allow Toyota’s engineers to inspect the status of all items, while the uprated door hinges and mounting points (plus the door-check straps) - which SVI includes in the package to offset the additional mass of the various B6 armouring components - were put through as many as 20 000 opening-and-closing cycles.
B6 STOPGUN V2.0 PACKAGE FOR TOYOTA HILUX
SVI’s Stopgun V2.0 package provides South Africa’s security forces with a cost-effective B6 armouring solution to combat general crime, escort valuables in transit or use for mining patrols. Featuring unobtrusive integrated door armour, the Stopgun V2.0 option also incorporates flat 38 mm armoured glass that is bolted into each window frame to allow for fuss-free replacement should damage be sustained during an attack.
In addition to the integrated door armour and ballistic glass, the roof, front fenders, all pillars and part of the firewall gain B6 bullet-resistant protection courtesy of custom-fabricated armoured steel plates, as do critical under-bonnet components such as the battery and ABS unit.
Furthermore, the curtain airbag in the Hilux Single Cab derivatives in question remains fully functional. Gunports are provided as standard but can be deleted upon request, while a front suspension upgrade is also included in the price, along with the uprated door hinges mentioned earlier. In addition, the rear bumper is reinforced as standard.
THE COMPANY
SVI is an original equipment manufacturer that has specialised in armoured vehicles since 2004. The company is a market leader in Africa, serving the private, corporate, security, mining and governmental segments. SVI holds a Level 2 B-BBEE certification and its quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015 by TÜV Rheinland.