These heavy-duty armored Cadillac Escalade SUVs may join the U.S. Secret Service fleet soon. Here are all the details we have so far. The images and information you see here is published by the U.S. Secret Service and GM Defense via Linked In. Let’s dig in!
GM Defense builds a variety of military and government vehicles for the United States and other governments and agencies around the world. The interesting thing about this armored HD SUV program is that it’s a new and fully integrated armored vehicle. It uses a modified GM HD pickup truck frame and HD 8-lug hubs and wheels. It uses a production Suburban (or Escalade ESV) body and many production interior components. The armor is integrated into the body before the body is married to the frame at a GM Defense facility.
However, these SUVs are setup with a special four-corner independent suspension. These heavy SUVs are using brake components from a GMC Hummer EV lineup. It needs these heavy components because the empty curb weight is around 11,500 lbs. A fully loaded weight of one of these SUVs is close to 12,800 lbs.
These SUVs are powered by either a production GM 6.2L gas V8 or 3.0L Duramax I6 turbo-diesel engines that are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Although these vehicles use many production parts and components from consumer and commercial work vehicles, these armored SUVs are not available for private sale. These SUVs are built to the specific requirements of the Secret Service, the Department of State, or other agencies and governments.
Would you an ability to purchase an unarmored consumer version of a HD Suburban or HD Escalade or HD Yukon XL? Please let us know in the comments below.
We recently took at look at the Cadillac IQL electric SUV. Check it out here.
One of the best and most detailed videos that shows the new GM Defense HD SUV (aka. armored Chevy HD Suburban or Suburban Shield) is done by Jay Leno and his team. The video is linked below.
