Land Rover unveils £293,000( N90,143,629.92) armoured Range Rover

• BY ENDA MULLEN

The specially engineered SUV, which costs from £293,000, has been designed to provide the highest levels of protection a vehicle can 

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Land Rover has unveiled the first luxury armoured vehicle created by its Special Vehicle Operations division - the Range Rover Sentinel.

The specially engineered SUV, which costs from £293,000, has been designed to provide the highest levels of protection a vehicle can offer against a wide variety of attacks.

The Sentinel is based on the standard wheelbase Range Rover Autobiography with the same all-terrain capability.

Although it looks virtually identical to the standard model it has been described as a “mobile fortress” which offers “outstanding occupant protection”.

It has been designed to withstand the most damaging and targeted of threats including penetration by 7.62mm high velocity, armour piercing incendiary bullets.

The Sentinel also delivers lateral protection against up to 15kg Trinitrotoluene (TNT) blasts and defence against DM51 grenade explosions from both beneath the floor and above the roof.

At its core is a specially-developed six-piece armoured passenger cell, made of super-high-strength steel, providing protection from attack.

The standard glass has been replaced by multi-laminated armour privacy glass of optical quality, providing clarity for the driver and occupants, while also delivering bullet protection.

The Sentinel has an anti-tamper exhaust, a self-sealing fuel tank, auxiliary back-up battery and a split charging system.

A 100mm opening in the driver’s window for document delivery ensures the vehicle is secure and the load space features anti-smash protective glass ensuring the cabin remains a safe house.

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.

It is powered by a 340PS 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine in conjunction with a specially-calibrated ZF 8-speed automatic transmission.

In addition, 380mm front and 365mm rear ventilated disc brakes, both with high-density pads, ensure impressive stopping power when needed.

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.

Optional protection 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.

A full driver-training programme is also provided to ensure drivers are capable of handling the vehicle to maximum effect in the most challenging circumstances.

The Sentinel has been fully certified to VR8 standard against ballistic threats by QinetiQ, an independent organisation that was 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.”

The Sentinel will make its global debut at the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition at London’s ExCeL arena from September 15-18.