Security Supertest 2003 - Laminated glass

Stealing a new car is harder than it has ever been, but there’s still a fatal flaw in the security of most modern models – the windows. With a bit of brute force and a suitable object most car glass can be shattered in seconds.

Laminated glass could be the difference between holding on to what’s yours and becoming another statistic. It can also help prevent aggravated vehicle taking where motorists are subjected to violence or threats by car thieves, something which happens 30 times per day.

Our top security tester took between 39 seconds and three minutes and 15 seconds to get into the laminated LS430 we attacked.

Although it’s four times more expensive than normal glazing, the cost of kitting out a car would fall to around £150 if it became standard fit across the board, according to research by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

A new standard is expected to be in place by late 2004 or early 2005, so once manufacturers know which goalpost they’re aiming for, we expect laminated glass to be widely fitted.

Laminated glass is fitted to the Lexus LS430, the Mercedes S-class and CL, the Maybach luxury car and the VW Phaeton. It’s an option on other cars including some Audis, BMWs, Volvos, and Peugeot’s 607.

If you like the idea of beating the smash-and-grab merchants but aren’t looking to buy a new car, there is another option. Window tinting specialist Pentagon has developed SupaGlass, a thin layer of film fixed to the inside of the side windows.

Priced from £350, SupaGlass isn’t as strong as laminated glass but it’s not far behind withstanding attack for between 25 and 40 seconds.

For information, log on to www.pentagonglasstech. com or call 0800 279 2795 to find your nearest fitting centre.