Jaguar XJ Sentinel - the armoured XJ

The Jaguar XJ Sentinel - the armoured version - will launch at Moscow this month

Jaguar is launching an armoured version of the new XJ – the Jaguar XJ Sentinel – at the Moscow Motor Show this month.

Sentinel: One who keeps guard. An appropriate name for an armoured Jaguar XJ, although it reminds me of junk mail plopping on the mat from a company desperate to offer me protection for my credit cards and keys. But that’s probably just me.

Jaguar are to launch the armoured version of the new XJ – the Jaguar XJ Sentinel – at this year’s Moscow Motor Show (which kicks off next week), which they say is barely distinguishable from the regular version yet offers B7 protection for occupants.

The biggest problem for armoured cars is the slug-like performance once you’ve bolted on several layers of bullet proof and bomb proof materials and made the car weigh slightly more than a Chieftan Tank. The new Jaguar XJ has a distinct edge here weighing as it does significantly less than others in its class thanks to its extensive use of aluminium.

Fitted with the naturally aspirated AJ-V8 which produces 385bhp, the XJ Sentinel still manages to get to 60mph in around 9.5 seconds. That is a rather significant 4 seconds slower than without the armoured bits, but a lot better than many armoured vehicles in this class can manage.

There’s a thriving armoured car market out there, and Jaguar very sensibly wants a chunk of the action. They say that despite the extra weight the XJ Sentinel still handles and rides well – thanks to Adaptive Dynamics and the brakes from the Supersport (why not the S/C engine too?) – which is not always a given with armoured cars. There’s also complete Jaguar support for buyers of the Sentinel, including driver training.

And if you need to ask how much it is, you can’t afford it (and don’t need it).