russia's very own hummer...
This drivable fortress of solitude is the Combat T-98 and according to this article in Gizmag it is the fastest armoured 4WD in the world. It has a 8.1 litre 340 bhp Vortec V8 (can push the T-98 along at over 180 km/h) and is equipped inside with leather and woodgrain fittings, CD player and luxury touches like heated seats. It has thick bulletproof windows and starts at $138,000 but you can spend another $100,000 making it truly impenetrable by upgrading the armor to anti-tank level. The Russian company originally made armored vehicles for government use. Each Combat T-98 is produced to customer order only and this year they have made 20 cars for VIPs. There are already 60 orders for 2006.
Prices start at around US$138,000 for the standard luxury vehicle with the basic level of protection which includes specifically being able to stop a 357 Magnum.
The next step is H.Pro level of protection, which will stop bullets from 7.62 calibre Kalashnikov’s and costs US$168,000, with the third tier costing US$217,000 and the full-on highest B7-level of armoured protection costing US$247,000 before further optional extras are added.
These prices are all based on the utility version with a 400 bhp GM Vortec 8100 V8 engine, though any performance level required can be fitted, with a 320bhp Duramax diesel V8 for an additional US$7,200, or you can have a tyre-screeching 550bhp Vortec engine for an extra US$14,400. The Passenger Wagon costs an extra US$6,000 over the utility and you can order a long wheelbase version (wheelbase 3630 mm) for an extra US$11,500.
The windows of the car are 50mm thick – that’s the length of a box of matches – and they work with a quiet and reassuring hiss and can stop an armour-piercing bullet.
Amazingly, a T-98 with the lot weighs more than 5000kg, yet handles like a car half that weight, capably tackling water, snow, rugged terrain and the bad guys and whatever they can throw at it