KNIGHT XV
{{ infobox company | company_name = Conquest Vehicles | company_logo = | company_type = Private | foundation = 2008 | location = Toronto, Ontario,
Canada | industry = Automotive | products = Luxury Armoured Vehicles | homepage = www.conquestvehicles.com }}
The KNIGHT XV is a fully armoured, ultra-luxurious, handcrafted sport utility vehicle built by Toronto, Canada based Conquest Vehicles Inc.
History
In 2008, William Maizlin, a seasoned executive specializing in the armoured vehicle industry, developed the concept of converting an armoured military vehicle into a luxury, hand-built armoured civilian vehicle.
Working with a group of automotive designers, engineers and armouring experts, Mr. Maizlin coordinated the research, development and production of the KNIGHT XV, and as a result Conquest Vehicles Inc., was created.
Identity
The KNIGHT XV is named after the 'Knights’ who were known as 'gentleman soldiers' and members of the warrior class of the Middle Ages in Europe. The XV comes to symbolize 'Extreme Vehicle'.
Company name
Conquest Vehicles, Inc. was named to reflect the strength, power and protection that are offered by the company's flagship vehicle, the KNIGHT XV.
Market launch
Conquest Vehicles unveiled the KNIGHT XV in 2008 at the Specialty Equipment Market Show (SEMA) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Buyer profile
The KNIGHT (US) $489,000, 14,000-pound, 20-foot long KNIGHT XV has quickly gained popularity as a go-to security vehicle for high-net worth individuals, professional athletes, celebrities, government officials and heads of corporations around the globe.
In 2009, Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic was the first professional athlete to purchase a KNIGHT XV and was featured on the cover of DUB Magazine’s November 2009 issue with his vehicle http://www.dubmag.net/celebrities/athletes/933-dwight-howard
Production timeline
Conquest Vehicles works with each client on an individual basis to build and tailor each KNIGHT XV to specifications.
The KNIGHT XV takes approximately 3,500 hours to hand build. The KNIGHT XV is built at Conquest Vehicles production facility in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Security
Conquest Vehicles offers multiple high-level security upgrade and option platforms that includes a built-in oxygen survival kit, under vehicle magnetic attachment detection system, multiple armouring levels, under vehicle blast protection system and a black box system.
Luxury
The KNIGHT XV offers luxury options and upgrades including electronic touch handles, hand crafted billet aluminum and leather steering wheel and shifter handle, retractable custom flat screen television, TracVision satellite system, ultra suede seating and an electrostatic window tinting system, to name a few.
Production and design upgrades
Conquest Vehicles offers production and design upgrade options including a turbo charger package; commercial grade multi link air ride suspension system; a custom made braking system consisting of 15½” (394 mm) vented 2-piece front rotors with high performance 12 piston billet calipers; carbon fiber instrument panel; 24-inch vehicle extension package; right-hand drive conversion package.
Vehicle specifications
- Weight 14,000 lb (6,400 kg) approximately
- Wheelbase 141” (3576 mm)
- Height 100” (2540 mm)
- Length 240” (6096 mm)
- Width 98” (2489 mm)
- Ground clearance 14” (356 mm) approximately
- GVWR 17,950 lb (8,160 kg)
- 4x4 Electronic, push button 4WD
- Engine Ford
- Power and torque (approximately)
- Transmission 5- speed automatic
- Chassis Super duty Ford modified F550 commercial platform
- Wheels MPT Continental tire 335/80 R 20 MPT81
- Fuel gasoline or diesel
- Fuel capacity 63 U.S. gallons /238 litres
- Steering Power steering
- Brakes 4 wheel disc anti-lock traction control
- Air Conditioning Factory AC in-cabin
Standard interior appointments
- Carpeting Wilton Wool luxury carpeting
- Upholstery & Seating 6 way electric conference and cabin seating, total 6 passengers, in hand crafted Andrew Muirhead leather
- Finish Ultra Suede finish throughout
- Interior Spacious extended
- Cabin
- Sunroof Tandem sunroof glass with privacy shades
- Lighting Interior lighting, map/courtesy and ambient
- Audio Alpine AM, FM, CD, DVD Navigation and Bluetooth equipment
- Video Dual screen dashboard and rear console (remote controlled inputs)
- Night Vision PathfindIR Thermal Imaging Camera (front and back) with rear back up camera system
- FLIR PathFindIR is standard equipment on all KNIGHT XV vehicles sold in North America
- Running boards
Standard exterior appointments
- Running boards stainless steel side mounted
- Rims KNIGHT XV 20” polished custom rims, forged from 6061 Aluminum
- Tires MPT Continental
- Lights: Fascia mounted PIAA dual mode fog and driving lamps
- Antenna Rear mount
- Grille Armoured
- Bumper Front steel, Rear ballistic fiberglass] (with Kevlar)
- Fenders Ballistic fiberglass (with Kevlar)
Standard securty appointments
The KNIGHT XV is equipped with the following standard security features:
- FLIR night vision cameras mounted front and rear
- Roof mounted rear view camera
- Keyless entry system
- Transparent, tinted, armour glass throughout
- Tandem tinted moon roof panels (transparent armour) with privacy shades
- ASC Ballistic run flat system on all tires
- Securilok** passive anti theft key system
** Securilok is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Co.
Armouring
The KNIGHT XV armouring level varies based each client’s specific requirements.
Transparent Armour – The ballistic glass used in the KNIGHT XV is produced by a leading manufacturer of ballistic transparencies. Conquest Vehicles’ team of designers and engineers work closely with the manufacturers of ballistic transparencies to ensure the glass module meets the required protection and tint level. In addition, the company ensures that the glass meets the requirements of our overlap armouring technique when it is combined with the installation of the opaque armour.
Opaque Armour – Only the highest quality high-strength steel, ballistic aluminum, composites aramid and ceramics are used in the manufacturing of the KNIGHT XV opaque armour.
Doors – Due to the added weight of the transparent and opaque armour in the doors, the door hinges are reinforced using a proprietary system to completely avoid hinge failure and prevent sheet metal fatigue around the hinge system.
Armouring Certification - All armouring materials on the KNIGHT XV have been H.P. White Laboratory Inc. certified.
Media coverage
Since inception, international media coverage on the KNIGHT XV has consisted of print feature stories, broadcast media coverage and online news stories and blogs from around the globe. Highlights include:
Robb Report Collection
Urban Male Magazine (UMM)
Truck Trend Magazine
Discovery HD 'World’s Most Expensive Rides'
FHM Magazine – Germany
Car & Driver
Automedia.bg
Auto Motor
Branding
In 2009, the KNIGHT XV transported hip hop artist T-Pain to the red carpet arrivals at the Grammy™ Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, California. The same year, the KNIGHT XV also served as the choice red carpet arrival vehicle for Nickelback at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Recently, Conquest Vehicle also launched an online retail store (http://conquestvehicles.com/merchandise.html) featuring Knight XV branded apparel including men's and women's jackets, fleeces, golf shirts, baseball caps and outdoor vests.
Conquest Vehicles
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Conquest Vehicles 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 vehicles unrivaled and unmatched in today’s security and luxury automotive marketplace. The company’s website is www.conquestvehicles.com