The importation of armoured vehicles into the country in recent times has grown among the elites in Nigeria. This is not unrelated to the prevailing insecurity situation.
Nigeria is currently on the threshold of promoting locally assembled vehicles through the federal government’s auto policy which gave rise to increase in number of auto-plants in the country. This may reduce the importation of armoured vehicles as the government vigorously pursues its auto policy.
Recently, Stallion NMN, the authorised Nissan sales company and owners of the Nissan vehicle assembly facility in Lagos, unveiled the first locally armoured premium sport utility vehicle equipped to certify level B6+ CEN armouring.
The redesigned 5.6litre V8 Nissan Patrol SUV is armoured in collaboration with foreign experts to certify B6 armouring to protect cabin occupants from ballistic threats up to the 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition as well as explosives up to 2x DM51 hand grenades.
Other distinctively attractive features of the armoured Patrol include, all round heavy duty upgraded compensated braking system, anti-explosion exhaust insert; back door configuration manual/electronic egress system; battery armour protection, door restrains, reinforced hinges and run-flat tyre systems.
Mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission and a variable 4×4 system, the Patrol comes equipped with proprietary suspension and braking system upgrades that is developed and installed on the vehicle to support the additional armouring weight for improved vehicle handling, Sharma added.
The Nissan armoured Patrol which is not mass produced is priced from N28m and is currently available at the Stallion NMN showrooms on request and is enjoying patronage.
Stallion NMN Limited Managing Director Parvir Singh who gave this hint in Lagos said: “the Nissan armoured Patrol Y62 series is an emerging global leader in discreet armoured vehicles and ideal base unit for diplomatic, humanitarian aid and international organisations operating in harsh terrain and dangerous region throughout the world.”
The company’s head of sales and marketing, Amit Sharma described the redesigned Nissan Patrol Y62 series as unprecedented amongst discreet armoured vehicles with inconspicuous exterior appearance that looks like normal vehicle with completely OEM interior upholstery and storage area built to accommodate full seating capacity.
Sharma said: “The Nissan Patrol Y62 platform is longer, wider with more passenger room than the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 series, flaunting more horsepower, luxury and rides like an OEM vehicle.”
