Lucid Air Sapphire gets an armoured suit that shrugs off guns and gas

SAN JOSE: The Tesla Cybertruck may look like the toughest electric vehicle on the block but it cannot compete with a new armoured version of the Lucid Air Sapphire limousine.

The electric Lucid is ideal for an outing to a nearest combat zone since the California-based US Armour Group has fitted the car with anti-ballistic windows and military-grade armour. The upgrades mean it can halt a 44 Magnum round.

The manufacturers said the armoured limo is designed for high-risk individuals such as heads of state or billionaire business heads. From the outside the car is also hard to distinguish from the standard model.

The Sapphire boasts an "impenetrable" wi-fi system and can be delivered with poison gas detection and door handles that give attackers a nasty electric shock when they touch them.

With three electric motors producing 1,234hp, the armoured Lucid can also get out of trouble very quickly.

The makers claim the car can dash from 0 to 100kph in under two seconds and has a range of 720km. Lightweight composite armour means the protective set-up only adds 175 kilos to the Sapphire's weight.

Prices start at US$425,000 (RM2mil), which includes a donor car, but not options such as pepper spray dispensers or the handy outreach function. It sends out a distress alert automatically, summoning a small army of armed helpers.

The Lucid is cheaper and lighter than the new electric BMW i7 Protection unveiled last month, but that one can cope with explosives and armour-piercing artillery, which is probably why the model costs up to US$530,000 (RM2.6mil) to buy.