When customers from all over the world look at giving their vehicles a custom makeover for protection from lethal weapons, the basic step towards this, is to give the vehicle a complete body and powertrain a new lease of life. Sometimes, a bullet-proof vehicle might not actually look like one, and then there are those that convey the message: ready to take on the apocalypse.
Heavy-duty armored vehicles like the one you see in the images are not bothered about what other car owners think of it when it rolls up beside them. Vehicles like this one are designed with a purpose: to look badass and protect their occupants.
Armored trucks and SUVs are easily identified by their massive size, the block-like body panels that look indestructible, the sheer heft that could make something like even a Ford F-150 Series truck seem lightweight, and of course, their high-torque engines. These machines are built to face gun fires and grenades while driving ruthlessly into shopping malls, and wreaking havoc.
Introducing The Plan B Ricochet Armored Truck
The most recent armored vehicle to have shown itself to the world is the new Plan B Ricochet that made its first public appearance at SEMA - and if we had to cut a long story short, it's a truck with nerves of armor. This massive machine draws its inspiration from the legendary Humvee.
However, if you had to compare the Ricochet with the Humvee, the former somehow looks larger and more dominating, but both vehicles share the same platform. Plan B trucks have given the Ricochet a thorough overhaul.
Plan B Ricochet Armored Truck's Badass Features
The Plan B Ricochet is a four-seater that can protect its occupants from multiple rounds fired by a machine gun. If that isn't enough, the Ricochet's B6-rated armor can be upgraded to B7. The windows being two inches thick, can prevent rifle automatic fire. The strong glass sheets protrude and don't sit flush with the bodywork. These can also be raised outwards with strong hydraulic pistons for some fresh air.
The Plan B Ricochet features suicide doors that double up as shields to protect the passengers, so the doors clearly serve a strong purpose, besides being openable in a fancy way. If the customer intends to have more firepower, there's a tactical turret on the roof that can be used to mount a gun, based on what option package is chosen.
Also, if the Ricochet is not being used by a security force to protect an important person, it can be customized to suit the taste of the buyer, with a range of trims available. There's an open-top model that features half doors, a few other specified ones in between, and then, of course, the full-blown battle-ready armored version.
The Ricochet features built-in gun ports in all four doors, along with a double locking system for added security. The floor includes huge storage compartments that can be accessed from the inside without any hassles.
The Ricochet features a 110V battery pack for backup power, which gets its charge from the diesel engine or short power, through a twist-lock socket. The Ricochet is powered by a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine, paired to a 6-speed Allison gearbox, with power being sent to all four wheels. The four-wheel-drive system has been designed and developed to master all types of terrain, and the truck has a ground clearance of 560cms. It sits very tall on those 20-inch wheels, wrapped by 43-inch tires.
Ample Space Inside The Plan B Ricochet Armored Truck
Surprisingly, the truck is roomy on the inside, and there's sufficient space for very tall passengers to fit in without feeling squeezed-in. Plan B states that the truck was designed to be big enough for NBA players, which is why headroom and legroom are abundant. Also, the driver's and front passenger's seats can be electrically adjusted for height, and horizontally.
Depending on the configuration, the Ricochet can seat more passengers in the back. The rear compartment can be accessed from inside, via the tilt-up hatch-door on this model.
More Details On The Plan B Ricochet Coming Soon
Plan B trucks will reveal more details about its armored Ricochet shortly. The base price is $270,000, but if you load your armored truck to the gills, it can take the price up to $450,000. Plan B says that the Ricochet is available as an armored Light Tactical Civilian Vehicle, which can head off into the wild, off the road, and can even be used in emergencies. However, the truck is not sold with guns or any other weapons. The Plan B Ricochet will definitely be a lifestyle product for some.
Source: Plan B Trucks