Jaguar launches armoured XJ

By Tom Phillips

18th August 2010

Meet the safest XJ money can buy. Not only does it pack the full compliment of airbags of the standard Jaguar flagship, this particular XJ comes fully armoured, offering occupants up to B7 levels of ballistic protection.

Called the XJ Sentinel, the newcomer is based on the top-spec long wheelbase XJ that’s powered by the firm’s naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8. And while it looks just like an ordinary XJ, the Sentinel features an armoured inner cell, made of Kevlar-backed high strength steel, designed to protect occupants from gunfire or a 15kg TNT explosive detonated close to the car. The XJ’s floor is also reinforced to protect against grenade attacks and the special Dunlop tyres are fitted to strengthened wheels.

Naturally, all the extra armour adds weight. Despite its aluminium construction, the Sentinel tips the scales at 3,300kg, up from 1,773kg of the standard long wheelbase V8. Performance is dented too. The 0-62mph sprint takes 9.7 instead of 5.7 seconds, while top speed falls from 155mph to 121mph.

To compensate for the extra weight of the armour, Jaguar has uprated the suspension and retuned the steering, while the car also benefits from the more powerful brakes normally fitted to the XJ Supercharged.

Customers will have the full suite of customisation options available, as well as a special security consultant, who advises on the best sort of armouring to meet each buyer’s requirements.

The XJ Sentinel will come with a three-year, 50,000-mile warranty and can be serviced by normal Jaguar dealers. It makes its debut at the Moscow Motor Show later this month.