Look at the Wheels on That: FP Cougar
21 September 2006 The Cougar is the British Army's vehicle of choice for battle-torn regions across the world, and Stuart Milne reckons it's just about the most fearsome wheeled warrior ever to see action. Its not often Look at the Wheels on That covers vehicles that actually save lives, but its not often you see something as thoroughly scary as the Cougar. The army say the Cougar - or Mastiff as it will be known to 'Our Boys' - will help reduce the number of soldiers killed and injured by roadside bombs and ambushes in troubled areas. With that in mind, it'd better be good. Force Protection CougarForce Protection, the American makers of the Cougar say it can be used as an urban fighting vehicle, an ambulance or for a host of other military roles. What is for sure is you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of one. Powered by a 7.2-litre Caterpillar engine, which produces 330bhp and a staggering 860lb/ft of pulling power (more than two and a half times that of a Ferrari 430), the 23-tonne Cougar can travel at 55mph, and hit a heady 65mph for short sprints. Although it's slower than the armoured 'Snatch' Land Rover it replaces, it's V-shaped 'hull' offers better underfloor protection from bombs and mines than the Landy. Its makers say it will "eat explosive devices for breakfast". Quite what it'll have for lunch and dinner is anybody's guess.
Try getting those added to your Mini. But there's more. Run flat tyres will keep the Cougar on the move, even after being cut to shreds by a mine; the seats are padded with bullet and shrapnel-proof cushions and a roof-mounted machine gun can be fired remotely from inside the cabin. Sounds perfect for the daily commute to the office. Force Protection sums the Cougar up perfectly: "Drop your purse, it's not a Hummer". Amen to that. Related links |
It'll carry nine passengers, plus a driver for up to 600 miles between fill-ups and counts weapon mounts, infra-red lighting, upgraded armoured glass and a winch that can pull objects up to four tonnes among its option list.Page 1
