International Armoring, the company that helped build Rezvani’s tanklike armored SUV, has now put its protective touch on a Tesla Model S. Without changing the appearance of the sleek electric vehicle, the company’s Armormax lightweight armoring division has modified the Tesla to shield it from both ballistic and bioweapon attacks. So, while Elon Musk’s reputation continues to take hits during his struggles to produce the Model 3, anybody inside this armored Model S is safe from the haters.
As the Model S has grown in popularity, we’ve seen a variety of alterations to the family four-door. Aftermarket customizers have built Model S shooting brakes, coupes, and convertibles, so this armored Tesla should come as no major surprise, given the car’s popularity among wealthy, high-profile individuals. International Armoring’s modifications endeavor to protect both the vehicle’s key mechanicals and the car’s occupants. The cabin, including the doors, roof, floor, and pillars, is reinforced with light synthetic-fiber laminates and heat-treated ballistic metals. All glass is replaced with a combination of layered glass and acrylic and polycarbonate laminates, which maintain an unobstructed view. The battery packs are armored, the suspension is reinforced, the tires are run-flats, and a siren and intercom system is integrated into the car. It works well alongside Tesla’s own Bioweapon Defense Mode air-filtration system in ...