The new Range Rover Sentinel is the first luxury armoured vehicle to be fully engineered by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations, (SVO) hand built at its Oxford Road factory, providing the highest levels of protection an SUV can offer against a wide variety of attacks, the makers say. It’s on sale now, priced from under 400,000 euros. The car will make its public debut at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Show on September 15 to 18, at Excel, London.
The Sentinel is based on the standard wheelbase Range Rover Autobiography. It delivers the supreme comfort, command driving position and all-terrain capability of the Range Rover, while providing peace of mind thanks to occupant protection and, outwardly, looking identical to the standard model, the manufacturers say.
The car is designed to withstand the most damaging and targeted of threats including penetration by 7.62mm high velocity, armour piercing incendiary bullets. This vehicle delivers lateral protection against up to 15kg Trinitrotoluene (TNT) blasts and defence against DM51 grenade explosions from beneath the floor and above the roof.
At its core is a specially-developed six-piece armoured passenger cell, made of steel. The standard glass has been replaced by multi-laminated armour privacy glass of optical quality, providing clarity for the driver and occupants, while delivering bullet protection. The Range Rover Sentinel is fully certified to VR8 standard against ballistic threats by QinetiQ, the defence product firm formerly part of the British Government’s Defence Establishment Research Agency.
John Edwards, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, said: “The Range Rover Sentinel is one of the most extraordinary Range Rovers ever produced. It has been expertly engineered by Special Vehicle Operations to provide class leading levels of protection to occupants against extreme attack, whilst retaining the Range Rover’s luxury and refinement with off road capability.”
Sentinel retains the legroom of the standard model that seats two full-size adults in the rear. A payload of up to 650kg can be carried thanks to revised Dynamic Stability Control and Ride Stability Control systems. The Command Driving Position found in all Range Rover vehicles remains, giving the driver a clear and unobscured view, particularly useful in the event of an attack.
The suspension has been up-rated to ensure Range Rover’s ride comfort and handling are retained. The Sentinel has undergone the same testing as a standard production vehicle and retains the off-road capability. The Sentinel has an anti-tamper exhaust, a self-sealing fuel tank, auxiliary back-up battery and a split charging system. The 100mm opening in the driver’s window for document delivery ensures the vehicle is secure. The load space features anti-smash protective glass ensuring the cabin remains a safe house.
When it is time to leave in a hurry, run flat inserts in the tyres – fitted to special 20-inch split rim alloy wheels – allow the vehicle to be driven even if the tyres are deflated. This system ensures that however determined the attack, the Range Rover can use the considerable performance of its 340PS 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine with a specially-calibrated ZF 8-speed automatic transmission to escape. For stopping, 380mm front and 365mm rear ventilated disc brakes, both come with high-density.
If the worst happens and the main doors are blocked by an accident or an attack, occupants can leave the vehicle via an ‘Emergency Escape System’ behind the rear seats. The vehicle still comes with the split-level tailgate of standard production.
Optional features include under floor and under bonnet fire suppression systems, a customer configurable siren system, emergency service lights and an external speaker system to address people outside the vehicle from the safety of the cabin.
Driver-training is provided to ensure drivers are capable of handling the vehicle to maximum effect. Customers can choose from exterior paint colours; and Ebony, Ivory or Dark Cherry interior colour ways with leather headlining an option. A range of bespoke options is available on request.
Available to order from the beginning of September 2015, the Range Rover Sentinel has a guide price from under 400,000 euros and has a three-year, 50,000-mile warranty. Additional global after-sales support includes scheduled visits each year by a specialised technician.
Visit http://www.landrover.co.uk/fleet-and-business/specialist-sales.html to register interest.
