Jag launches into 'heavy' limo battle

Jaguar has announced the availablility of a factory-built armoured variant of its XJ range-topper. The Armoured XJ Long Wheelbase is the maker's first ever armoured passenger vehicle and has gone on sale in the UK with pricing starting from £199,000 ($A470,000 approx).

According to Jaguar, the Armoured XJ has "capabilities far and beyond the needs of day-to-day transportation." The company says it protects its occupants from firearms and blast attack, robbery, kidnap and car jacking and expects the Armoured XJ LWB to become the choice for "heads of state, high profile business people, diplomats and celebrities" across the globe.

Virtually identical externally to the standard car, the Armoured XJ features bullet-resistant laminated glazing, under-body protection, steel and titanium armour and runflat tyres.

says Jag, the Armoured XJ's chassis has been extensively adapted to suit the car's unique requirements. The car features bespoke Eibach springs (manufactured from a special silicon alloy) and Bilstein B46 dampers. The car's variable assisted steering system (VAPS) has also been retuned.

The Armoured XJ's running gear includes front six-piston Alcon mono-block brake callipers with four-piston Alcons fitted to the rear. The callipers grip larger ventilated brake discs to substantially increase stopping performance.

Bullet resistant borosilicate glazing is featured along with ballistic resistant steel and kevlar armour. Cincinnati (USA) based armoured vehicle specialist company Centigon cooperated with Jaguar on the design of the systems.

Other security components include tamper-proof exhaust, intercom system, self-sealing fuel tank, cabin oxygen supply and titanium roof armour.

According to Jaguar, the Armoured XJ Long Wheelbase has undergone extensive ballistic and blast testing by the independent test agency QinetiQ and has been accredited to European standard EN 1063 levels BR5 and BR6.

Nick Youdan, Jaguar's Global Armoured Vehicle Sales Manager said: "The new Armoured XJ Long Wheelbase has been designed to combine the design and engineering of a luxury car with the technology and security features for the most demanding business needs."

Owners of the armoured XJ will be offered armoured vehicle driver training.

It is common convention with 'heavy' (ie: armoured) cars that manufacturers do not confirm their arrival in a marketplace or otherwise. Jaguar Australia is unlikely to be any different.