Sovereign Saloon: Jaguar XJ-Armored
Click on image for enlarged diagram
What's a moneyed Anglophile to do when his life has come in danger? The Mercedes S600 Guard offers a nice package, but a Benz is just so very cliché. Enter the Armoured Jaguar XJ Long Wheelbase, a bespoke motor of sublime elegance and protection for those who demand both in equal measure.
The pouncing cat has teamed up with independent security firm Centigon to build an armored luxury saloon that meets Jaguar standards of driving dynamics and luxury. The result is a Jaguar virtually indistinguishable from a stock XJ, but packing a host of anti-assassination goodies. The car comes complete with Kevlar body panel inserts, a titanium roof, even underbody armor plating. It's certified with a B6 level of ballistic protection, and capable of withstanding grenade blasts. The self-sealing fuel tank has an over-ride should the chauffer decide you need to move, fast. The car rides on Pirelli PZeros with the Roadguard run-flat system and a beefier suspension to handle the added weight. There's also a list of options including an independent oxygen supply, tamper-proof exhaust and alarm sirens.
The stock 4.2-liter V8 should be sufficient to remove the motor-carriage and its occupants from harms way in a hurry. Just what the doctor ordered for an afternoon drive through Belfast.
[Source: Jaguar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Justin 9:42AM (11/20/2006)
But it's all useless when you're outside the car with the hood popped up...as is likely.
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dave 10:30AM (11/20/2006)
"Just what the doctor ordered for an afternoon drive through Belfast."
You're a bit behind the times aren't you? By about fifteen years.
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Paul Read 10:33AM (11/20/2006)
So's Justin. XJ reliabiity is up there with Lexus.
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DragTimes 10:47AM (11/20/2006)
BMW has a protection package as well..... with all the extra weight, Jaguar needs to up the power to compete with the MB and BMW V12's.... if you need the protection, you'll need to the speed for the getaway.... :)
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Dave 11:00AM (11/20/2006)
Interesting. I'm not an engineer, but wouldn't the car's aluminum construction make it a little more difficult to reinforce? I remember on the Evos with the aluminum roofs that you're not even supposed to put a bike rack up there, let alone a ton of armor.
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Hamud 11:39AM (11/20/2006)
It depends a lot on the aluminum alloy used, plus the roof is made of titanium, which is far lighter than steel.
Although I guess this armored version is really a good deal, as DragTimes said, it should boost a supercharged V8 at least, with 400-more HP.
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Jason 12:44PM (11/20/2006)
This car does not even come close to a Mercedes Benz Guard. Mercedes adds their armor and protection components at the factory, whereas this Ford gets protection added as an after thought. If you are this important you have enough money to buy either one, so please buy the Benz as it is far superior than some aftermarket piece of junk.
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Justin 2:04PM (11/20/2006)
Interesting Paul...considering I did my research. Here's the statistics from 2002 - 2005.
http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/reliability/results.html;_ylt=ArqbxLauR9PMQYesOnO4kxOYPMsF?carid0=jaguar_xj_2005&carid1=jaguar_xj_2004&carid2=jaguar_xj_2003&carid3=jaguar_xj_2002
So unless you have statistics from the future on how reliable this car will hold up...shut your mouth. I'm by no means a Lexus fan, but the reliability of a Lexus far outshines a Jaguar.
*swish*
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Paul Read 2:51PM (11/20/2006)
Service Experience: No data
Mechanical Reliability: No data
Feature & Accessory Reliability: No data
Body & Interior Reliability: No data
Some reseach.
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Valarie 7:26AM (11/21/2006)
Jason, maybe you should do a little research before you call the Jag XJ an "aftermarket piece of junk." Centigon has been armoring cars in excess of 50 years, so I think that saying their product is "junk" is a bit narrowminded. And as a note, Centigon also armors MB vehicles.
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Justin 7:47AM (11/21/2006)
Yes, i suppose 2002 - 2004 don't mean anything to you Paul. 2005 proves my point that you can't possibly call this car an equal to a Lexus.
Just keep fixing your XJ. Jag-off.
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Don 11:05AM (12/06/2006)
Hmm - even though there is room for discussion around which is the superior or more reliable vehicle (MB vs Lexus vs Jaguar), an argument could be made that more important than reliability is how your manufacturer deals with imperfections, resulting in an auto manufacturer that has the highest consumer Satisfaction index for 2006 (since people here seem to like throwing around stats so much)
From the 2006 JD Power & Assoc. Satisfaction Index (SSI):
Jaguar - #1 in Customer Satisfaction
Lexus - #5 (behind Jag, Cadillac, Lincoln and Porsche)
MB - #10
http://media.popularmechanics.com/images/SSI-rankings-06.jpg
In any case, one survey is not the sum whole of everything encompasing a manufacturer. I love the MB S series and CL series vehicles, as well as the Lexus ES, LS and GS vehicles, but I absolutely have no doubt that for style (which is obviously entirely subjective) the Jaguar XK, and XJ are superior.
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