Rezvani Vengeance offers plentiful protection

LOOKING a lot like the Superhero ‘Thing’, boutique auto-maker Rezvani’s chunky new five-door Vengeance vehicle, starting at $US249,000 ($A397,000), shares a lot with the comic book and cartoon character by offering bomb-proof, bulletproof body-armoured personal protection.

Still not feeling safe?

Then take comfort in the optional full military spec model’s smoke screen function, along with military grade runflat tyres, thermal night vision system, reinforced suspension, electromagnetic pulse protection, steel ram bumper, explosive device detection, continuous video recording, electrified doors, strobe lights, blinding lights, intercom, pepper spray dispenser, seven bullet proof vests, gas masks, hypothermia kit and – just in case – a first-aid kit.

Sounds perfect for peak hour traffic in any Australian capital city.

The ‘civvy’ Vengeance is still an imposing vehicle but the spec and features list reads more like something from a BMW catalogue rather than a military hardware vendor.

Rezvani offers the Vengeance with many options including the aforementioned military package that adds an extra $US95,000 ($A151,450) to the invoice. Other packages and options are available including powertrain and luxury feature upgrades.

By way of description, Rezvani is a California-based specialist vehicle manufacturer founded by Iranian-American entrepreneur Ferris Rezvani who has assembled a team of designers, manufacturers, racing engineers and high-performance engine experts to develop what they term “some one of the most unique, extreme vehicles on the planet”.

A click on Rezvani’s website validates that claim with a diverse range that will soon include ‘ the ‘Beast’ mid-engine sportscar with a lightweight carbon-fibre body and twin-turbocharged engine said to develop more than 735kW). Unconfirmed rumours suggest the Beast is built on an Ariel Atom platform. 

But the primary focus appears to be on tough Jeep-based trucks, 4x4s and SUVs with not a single electric vehicle in sight.

Additional to the Vengeance wagon are the Jeep-Wrangler-based Tank tactical off-road vehicle that is also available in military trim and a pair of 6x6 utilities called the Hercules and Hercules Military Edition, the latter nudging half a million US dollars ($A797.207).

The Vengeance is available in seven- or eight-seat configuration with a Chrysler-sourced 6.2-litre petrol V8 under the bonnet. Optionally available is a Duramax 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel or a supercharged version of the 6.2-litre V8 serving up around 450kW of power and 885Nm of torque.

Creature comforts are commensurate with high-end current model SUVs and include 12-way power front seats, heated first and second row seats, heated steering wheel, memory (seats, mirrors and steering wheel), tri-zone climate control, air ioniser, hands-free power tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, remote start, power-release second-row bucket seats, OLED instrument cluster and infotainment display, AKG Studio Sound 19-speaker audio system, NFC phone pairing, wireless charging, two USB-A and five USB-C ports, panoramic sunroof and leather upholstery.

There is also a navigation system with augmented reality capability.

On the safety side, Vengeance scores with forward collision alert and active braking, 360-degree camera system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, pedestrian detection, active parking assist. 

A really interesting feature is ‘Teen Driver Mode’ that presumably enables certain restrictions to be activated on demand and quite possibly location tracking or geofencing. 

The vengeance rolls on 35-inch rubber with 22-inch rims and is available in a stealth satin grey duco to remain inconspicuous on the road – not that under-the-radar roaming is possible given the vehicle’s appearance out-Hummers a Hummer.

Drivetrain choices include two- and four-wheel drive with a 10-speed automatic transmission and optional mechanical limited slip differential. Towing capacity is up to 3.6 tonnes.

Rezvani builds its cars bespoke, meaning a vehicle must be ordered before production starts.