The Arsenal Is a $700K Rezvani Armored SUV for the Rich To Survive an Asteroid Impact

The Arsenal's composite armor is every bit as tough as ballistic steel but three times lighter—a critical factor that can reduce the latest Rezvani's body mass by more than 1,000 pounds (north of 453 kg). The manufacturer claims it to be the most advanced armor on a vehicle offered to the civilian market. Before the Arsenal’s debut, composite armor rating in civilian applications achieved only a B4 level.

Rezvani designers didn’t just replace the bulletproofing body panels with composite armor and splashed a good deal of humor over the Arsenal. The minimalist styling will allow the vehicle to ‘subtly merge with others on the road.’ The ultimate goal in external apparel was to blend in while standing out, to be different yet approachable.

Good luck approaching an 8,100-lb rhino with an 810-hp supercharged V8 in it. The Arsenal is not a small car by any account: 3.675 tons, 78 inches tall, 220 long, and 94 long is a lot of all-terrain to get close to (5,588 x 2,387 x 1,981 mm). The irony of it all is that the base model starts at $225,000 – which isn’t that much, considering other Rezvani models.

But start adding optional extras, and a fully loaded Arsenal will set a buyer back some $697,250 (check out the configurator and see what the extra $470,000 will bring). Consider that the powerplant option (the 6.2-liter V8) and the Executive Seating cost a quarter of a million combined.

The Military package drops another $145,000, and the difference is made up of other add-ons like a $2,000 Shinedown logo that projects an image on the ground when the doors are opened (There, Australia-only AMG G 63 Elements Edition, you’re not the only luxury all-wheel-drive vehicle with sparkling gizmos!).

According to the rather confusing website info, the Arsenal comes standard with a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp (425 PS) and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm). Three other engines are available, including an economical inline-six diesel, three liters in size (277 hp, 460 lb-ft / 280 PS, 623 Nm), and two more gasoline V8s.

Both supercharged, the big eight-bangers fire up 650 hp and 605 lb-ft (659 PS, 820 Nm) and 810 hp and 770 lb-ft (821 PS, 1,044 Nm). Don’t be fooled by the images on the rezvanimotors.com configurator – they both show a 4.2-liter twin-turbo Cadillac V8. For $700,000, you could at least put an accurate photo of your powerplants, Rezvani, don’t you think?

Marketing inconsistencies aside (but not forgotten nor forgiven), the Arsenal’s Military package is said to come with bulletproof glass and body armor, underside protection against explosion, a smoke screen, run-flat tires (military grade), a thermal night vision system, electromagnetic pulse protection, or a pepper spray dispenser.

Other options listed are explosive device detection, bulletproof vests and helmets, electrified door handles, strobe and blinding lights, magnetic deadbolts, a security survival kit (which includes a hypothermia kit and gas masks along with the first aid kit), and continuous video recording. The gun rack is standard, if you're wondering.

If the description has made you think that the Rezvani Arsenal is a barebones troop carrier, note the luxury options, like 12-way power front seats, tri-zone climate control, a 19-speaker sound system, a panoramic sunroof, NFC pairing, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 22-inch wheels, park assist, a heads-up display, or augmented reality navigation.