It's not a car for nipping around town. But it might take more than an anti-tank missile to run you off the road.
The Russian-made Kombat car has become a favorite of the country's nouveau riche elite and the St Petersburg manufacturers plan to market the luxury armored cars in competition with the US-made Hummer. Compared to the US vehicle -- a civilian version of the military Humvee -- the Russian Kombat is bigger, faster, heavier and thirstier.
The basic Kombat costs US$157,000 but that soars to US$345,000, depending on the thickness of armor plating required. Dmitri Parfenov, the designer, said the cheaper models offer defense "against AK-47 and sniper rounds, while the most expensive protects passengers from heavy machine gun or anti-tank rounds."
While weathering the attack, the driver can make use of the mini-bar, DVD player and TV screens. There is a navigation system to plot an escape route. The armor, thought to be considerably stronger than the Humvee protection, is clearly designed for a particular type of client.
Parfenov said most of his customers were rich people. "You know the life of the rich is not very secure and many want a well-armored car," he said.
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