The Safest Car
The armored version of the Jaguar XJ will appear in this month International Motor Show in Moscow. The expertise of Jaguar Land Rover in the armored vehicle market has produced the perfect car for anyone who is under constant fear of being attacked, offering discreet protection coupled with real world usability.
The Jaguar XJ Sentinel is an armored version of the 2011 XJ and features high-strength steels and Kevlar protection. The car can survive an explosion of 33 pounds of TNT and offers protection even from grenades detonating below the car. All the anti-bullet gear has added to the car’s weight, almost doubling it. The long-wheel based sedan is equipped with an armoring system that is not detectable from the outside. On the other hand, performance is lower as it takes 9.7 seconds to reach 63 mph while a stock car only takes five or six seconds to reach the same speed. Its top speed is 121 mph. The 385 horsepower V8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission are the same as for the regular XJ cars.
From the outside, it looks like a regular factory-stock car and has the same amount of space and comfort. Bigger brakes are fitted to cope with the increased weight. The high performance braking system offers an incredible stopping power, while safety is ensured by a full array of advanced traction and stability systems. Stronger 19-inch wheels made from Aleutian allow with run-flat tires and upgraded suspension and steering components are however used on the Sentinel.
The lightweight aluminium body structure allows for competitive performance even though the total weight is increased by all the armoring system. The chassis features the Adaptive Dynamic system with variable dampers and has been uprated for the increased body weight. The inner cell was the result of a partnership with Centigon, who specialize in vehicle armoring. The protection is certified by QinetiQ which is an independent organization with world wide recognition.
The new armored Jaguar XJ Sentinel will make its debut at the Moscow auto show in August. This armored luxury limousine can be useful for governments, businesses or security organizations. Jaguar XJ is the company’s flagship model in production since 1968. The fourth generation XJ was launched in 2009.
Ford Motor Company bought Jaguar Land Rover in 2000 but sold it to Tata Motors of India in 2008. The global economic crisis hit Tata Motors after the purchase. In May 2010, Tata Motors announced plans to build Jaguar cars in China, together with Land Rovers. In an effort to reduce costs and expand sales, one of the facilities in England where Jaguar XJ cars are assembled will be closed.
However, the growing demand for luxury cars worldwide started to show in the profits registered by the company in the first part of 2010. Tata Motors announced increased sales for Jaguar and Land Rover this year and the trend for luxury cars has helped the company boost its profits. It seems that there is a growing demand for high-end vehicles and Jaguar Sentinel is responding to this trend.
