Armored luxury sedans are all the rage today, at least among government officials and rappers. Jaguar yesterday announces the introduction of the armored XJ Long Wheelbase – its first ever armored passenger vehicle. This luxury saloon car now has capabilities far and beyond the needs of day to day transportation with added security, without compromising the ability of the car. This luxurious British product offers protection from firearms and blast attack, robbery, kidnap and car jacking, and will become the car of choice for heads of state, high profile business people, diplomats and celebrities throughout the world, according to the company. It may appear unmodified, but the armored XJ Long Wheelbase is heavily armored, featuring significant modifications like bullet-resistant laminated glazing, underbody protection, steel-armoring and run flat tires. (Mercedes recently introduced an armored special protection version of its new S-Class.)
Though the armored XJ closely resembles the road going XJ, its chassis has been extensively adapted to compensate for additional weight and a potentially more aggressive driving style with reinforced springs and dampers. This ensures that it is just as agile and safe to drive as the production version as well as being lighter than its armored competitors.
A fully retuned variable assisted steering system (VAPS) with an increased pressure flow power steering pump realigns the increased mass of the armored vehicle to the steering effort inputs of the driver.
The car is also fitted with opposed 6 piston Alcon mono-block brake callipers to the front of the vehicle and 4 piston Alcon mono-block callipers to the rear, along with performance friction material brake pads and larger ventilated brake discs to substantially increase braking performance. Original air suspension has been replaced with passive suspension to account for the additional mass. The vehicle is equipped with specially strengthened and tuned Bilstein B46 dampers and bespoke Eibach springs manufactured from special ultra strength silicon alloy – a combination tuned to optimise the balance between ride, comfort and body control.
Designed to provide maximum protection to driver and passengers alike, the armored XJ Long Wheelbase features many security attributes to make each journey a safe one.
Bullet resistant borosilicate glazing is designed to withstand a comprehensive range of hand guns and assault rifles. The armored body shell is reinforced with ballistic resistant steel and underfloor protection is provided by high-tech Kevlar fibre material.
The armored XJ Long Wheelbase offers protection against high velocity assault rifle rounds and also side blast with the overall design preventing any penetration of the passenger cell by shrapnel or blast fragments.
As much as Jaguar is recognised for its design and engineering of luxury cars, Centigon is synonymous the world over for vehicle armoring expertise. The armored XJ Long Wheelbase has been developed through a process of complete integration of Jaguar’s and Centigon’s design and engineering operations, backed up by extensive prototype testing and Jaguar’s stringent quality control and sign off standards.
The vehicle has undergone extensive ballistic and blast testing by the independent test agency QinetiQ and has been accredited to European standard EN 1063 levels BR5 & BR6. As the first ever fully engineered and warranted armored vehicle from Jaguar Cars, prospective customers have the assurance of full factory support during purchase and throughout the vehicle’s life. Jaguar’s new Global After Sales Support programme offers a high level of support in the most remote territories. Four scheduled visits per year by a dedicated Jaguar technician ensure complete customer satisfaction, and reassurance that their vehicle is maintained to the very highest possible standard.
Tires with run flat capability allow the driver to travel safely up to 30 miles (50 kilometres) at speeds of 50 mph (80 km/h), when punctured or deflated. Security features include a tamper proof exhaust, intercom system, self sealing fuel tank, cabin with its own oxygen supply and a titanium armored roof.
