Knight XV Armoured Biofuel SUV to be Displayed at Barrett-Jackson Event

Knight XV

By Zack Newmark
January 14, 2009 5:07 PM
Filed Under: Alternative Fuel, American, Specialty Marques

The eco-conscious drug dealer in your family will be happy to know that the Knight XV is available for purchase at the famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event, being held this week in Scottsdale, Arizona. Called the "most secure, luxurious" SUV in the world, the XV is completely covered in armor outside, comfortably seats six inside, and runs on biofuel.

Specialty armored-SUV maker Conquest Vehicles used ballistic hardened steel and ballistic fiberglass fenders and bumpers to make the Knight XV as impenetrable as possible. Windows and windscreens are made from a bulletproof 2.5-inch (64mm) thick transparent material. Armor can be added or subtracted depending on the customer's need.

Drawing inspiration from the Gurkha military vehicle used by the U.S. Army, the Knight XV is aimed more towards the private sector. The Gurkha, made by Florida company Armet Armored Vehicles, is also used by the Russian Foreign Ministry and various SWAT teams. It is based on a Ford F550 chassis.

Conquest president William Maizlin said, "Since launching the KNIGHT XV at SEMA to the auto industry in November, the demand by auto enthusiasts and media to see and experience this vehicle has been so positively overwhelming that we decided to feature it at Barrett-Jackson so the public could see it in person for the very first time."

Although built to run on bio-fuel, Maizlin says the car can also run on petrol or diesel. The Knight uses a 6.8-liter V10 getting 400 hp and 498 ft-lb of torque. Like its inspiration, it is also built on a "super duty Ford modified platform chassis." It is a massive vehicle, at 240-inches long, 98-inches wide, and 100-inches tall. The Knight XV has a 14" ground clearence, 141" wheelbase, and weighs in at 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg). Custom designed, 20-inch forged aluminum wheels are wrapped in Mickey Thompson Baja Radial ATZ ballistic run-flat tires.

Inside the Knight you will find six individual six-way powered leather seats, Wilton Wool carpeting, and a sunroof. Each seat gets its own side-mounted lap top tray. Entertaining your passengers is easy, thanks to the Alpine entertainment unit, LCD monitors, and a Playstation 3. LED ambient lighting, and a night-vision capable rear camera are also included. There is plenty of room for everybody in this 283-cubic-foot cabin.

At a paltry $310,000, how can you not afford to protect your family with the Knight XV? Only 100 will be produced in its first run, each being handbuilt.

Press Release (Click to expand)

KNIGHT XV-The World's Most Secure, Ultra-Luxurious, Handcrafted, Biofuel Powered SUV to be Displayed at Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Arizona

KNIGHT XVTM, the world's most secure, luxurious and handcrafted SUV will be on display for the public at the world famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Arizona, announced William Maizlin, President of Conquest Vehicles Inc.

The KNIGHT XV will be one of the featured vehicles in the DuPont Registry (booth #SP-03) throughout the entire Barrett-Jackson show beginning January 11 through January 18, 2009.

"Since launching the KNIGHT XV at SEMA to the auto industry in November, the demand by auto enthusiasts and media to see and experience this vehicle has been so positively overwhelming that we decided to feature it at Barrett-Jackson so the public could see it in person for the very first time," said Maizlin.

Inspired by the Gurkha military vehicle, the KNIGHT XV is an ultra luxurious, handcrafted, bio-fuel (also available in gasoline and diesel) powered full-armoured SUV which is powered by a V10, 6.8-litre engine and sits on a super duty Ford modified platform chassis. The KNIGHT XV provides 400 hp and 498-ft lbs of torque.

The KNIGHT XVTM is priced at $310,000 USD. Only 100 will be made available as a limited first run. Each vehicle takes 1,500 hours to build by hand.

"Barrett-Jackson is the preeminent automotive collector show in North America. We figured what better of a show to introduce the KNIGHT XV to the general public than at this incredible week-long event," said Maizlin.

The KNIGHT XVTM offers interior appointments including Wilton Wool luxury carpeting; Andrew Muirhead leather; 6-way electric leather boardroom-style seating; Tandem sunroof glass with privacy shades; Personal side-mounted lap top trays; LED cabin lighting; Alpine AM, FM, CD, DVD navigation and Bluetooth equipment; TV Monitors; Night vision and rear op camera system and Playstation 3 (PS3). The cabin's 283-cubic-foot interior is larger than the interior of most SUV's on the road today and can comfortably seat six professional basketball players.

The KNIGHT-XVTM is built using ballistic hardened steel making it fully armoured including ballistic fiberglass fenders and bumper, and up to 64 mm. (2.5 inches) transparent armor (glass). The KNIGHT XV's armouring level varies based each client's specific requirements.

The KNIGHT XVTM is 240" in length, 98" in width with a ground clearance of 14" and stands at 100". Its wheelbase is 141" and has an armoured curb weight of approximately 12,000 pounds. The vehicle holds 40 gallons of fuel and sits on four, LT40X13.50R20 Mickey Thompson Baja Radial ATZ tires with ballistic run flats. The vehicle's 20-inch rims are custom designed and engineered using a solid piece of forged 6061 aluminum.

Additionally, the KNIGHT XVTM contains an E-85 Ethanol conversion system (Flex Fuel) with California emission certification, thereby making it certified in all 50 States.

About Conquest Vehicles Inc

Conquest Vehicles Inc., specializes in the design and manufacturing of ultra-luxurious, fully armoured, handcrafted sport utility vehicles. The company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, is comprised of the automotive industry's most respected talent whose award-winning experience in engineering, fabrication, design, armouring and customization combine to create one-of-a-kind SUV's unrivaled and unmatched in today's automotive marketplace.

For more information about the KNIGHT XVTM or Conquest Vehicles, please visit www.conquestvehicles.com.