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Bulletproof Chevy Suburban Undergoing Testing

The Chevy Suburban isn’t just great for taking the kids to soccer practice – with a few choice upgrades, it can ferry a VIP though a war zone, as well. Of course, those upgrades will have to include armor plating and bulletproof glass. Now, GM Authority spy photographers have captured this interesting bulletproof Chevy Suburban undergoing testing.

Based on the latest twelfth-generation Chevy Suburban SUV introduced for the 2021 model year, this bulletproof ‘Burban reveals its armored protection with extra-thick window frames. It’s possible that there is some extra plating hidden underneath the black body panels as well.

As for the reason why this bulletproof Chevy Suburban was out for some testing, well, that’s a bit unclear. Perhaps this vehicle is destined to become a GM Defense vehicle, or maybe it was just a special order made by someone who needs the extra protection.

As GM Authority covered previously, GM Defense (the automaker’s military vehicle and technology division) was awarded a $36.4 million contract in 2021 to develop and validate the next-generation heavy-duty SUV set for use in the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service. The contract included plans to build 10 new HD Suburban units over the course of the following two years. Following the initial development stage, it’s expected that the production contract will include 200 units of the upgraded SUV to be produced annually over the course of a nine-year period.

Notably, the new GM Defense HD Suburban (don’t call it a Chevy) will incorporate a number of commercial off-the-shelf components. These include the Suburban’s body pieces, propulsion system, interior, and brakes. However, under the skin, the heavy-duty SUV will incorporate a unique body-on-frame chassis and suspension system that’s designed to handle the higher ground vehicle weight and payload capacity associated with a heavily armored SUV, per the needs of the US Department of State. Both gasoline and diesel engine options are expected to be offered.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. There could be a huge commercial potential for this in Mexico and many Latin America countries besides US army and law enforcement agencies.

    Reply
  2. There are already plenty of private companies that armor just about any available vehicle. I seriously doubt GM would risk a contract worth several hundred million dollars by sending any of their factory armored vehicles to any Latin American countries, especially Mexico, where the Cartels rule the roost.

    Not to mention risking any of these being surreptitiously exported out of the Western Hemisphere via Cuba or So. America to say, North Korea. It was done with several armored Mercedes Pullman Limousines, via Japan to Little Rocket Man in NK. MB was none too pleased to find out these were spirited to NK, for Kim Jong Un’s State vehicles.

    It was reported that MB has over-the-air disabled some security and functionality of some features of these back channeled, bespoke luxury cars.

    As for the aforementioned Chevy’s….err Suburban’s, They are destined for close U.S. Allies and diplomatic security services (i.e. Secret Service use for Diplomats in country, ONLY). It’s safe to say, these will NEVER leave the United States.

    Reply

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