Range Rover Sentinel, the most luxurious and most secure car around, and its hand built to your preference.

• Range Rover Sentinel is the first armoured Land Rover to be fully engineered by Special Vehicle Operations (SVO)
• Based on the luxurious Range Rover Autobiography
• Retains Land Rover’s huge breadth of capability and uncompromised levels of luxury and refinement
• VR8 level certification confirms impressive ballistic and blast resistance
• Will make public debut at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Show on 15-18 September at Excel, London, UK
• Aimed primarily at export markets and built to special order with indicative pricing of €400,000 (excl. taxes)

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 facility, providing the highest levels of protection an SUV can offer against a wide variety of attacks.

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 outstanding occupant protection and, outwardly, looking identical to the standard model.

This mobile fortress is designed to withstand the most damaging and targeted of threats including penetration by 7.62mm high velocity, armour piercing incendiary bullets. 

This exceptional vehicle 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 world-class protection from attack. 

The standard glass has been replaced by multi-laminated armour privacy glass of optical quality, providing excellent clarity for the driver and occupants, while also delivering bullet protection.

The Range Rover Sentinel is 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."

Sentinel retains the plentiful legroom of the standard model that comfortably 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 of the surroundings, particularly useful in the event of an attack.

The suspension has been up-rated to ensure Range Rover’s legendary ride comfort and handling are retained, yet still delivers precise on-road dynamics to allow occupants to escape attack. The Sentinel has undergone the same testing as a standard production vehicle and retains the outstanding off-road capability for which Land Rover is famous.

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 Sentinel can use the considerable performance of its 340PS 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine in conjunction with a specially-calibrated ZF 8-speed automatic transmission to escape. 

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 the Emergency Escape System behind the rear seats. 

Despite this special security feature, the basic design is uncompromised and the Range Rover Sentinel is still equipped with the elegant split-level tailgate of the standard production vehicle.

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.

The Range Rover Sentinel is unmatched in capability and protection by any third-party conversion. Externally, it is discreet and almost identical in appearance to the vehicle from which it is derived, with few visual clues as to what lies beneath the skin.

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.

Despite the huge levels of security offered by the vehicle’s armour and occupant protection systems, the Range Rover Sentinel remains a Range Rover to the core. It delivers the same exceptional levels of luxury ride and comfort as a conventional Range Rover Autobiography. 

Customers can still choose from an extensive range of 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.

Standard Range Rover features such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Closing Vehicle Sensing and Surround Camera Security incorporating T-junction view also lend themselves perfectly to the duties this very special Range Rover is designed to perform.

The Range Rover Sentinel is fully EU Homologated, available in the UK, Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East with VR8 level certification.

Available to order from the beginning of September 2015, the Range Rover Sentinel has a guide price from under €400,000 and benefits from a three-year, 50,000-mile warranty. Additional global aftersales support includes scheduled visits each year by a specialised technician.

The Ultimate is security, the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class S600 Guard.

Mercedes-Benz has updated its range of special protection models with the new S 600 Guard based on the new S-Class. The S 600 Guard provides all-round protection to the level of resistance class VR9 (both in transparent and non-transparent areas). With first-class comfort, an outstanding AIRMATIC suspension, a powerful V12 engine, intelligent driver assistance systems and unrestricted day-to-day suitability, the new flagship Guard model sets an unprecedented new standard in this segment, seamlessly continuing the long tradition of armoured special protection models from Mercedes-Benz.

With its Guard models, Mercedes-Benz has the world's widest range of special protection vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz Guard range currently has models from the S, E, M and G-Class. The latest member of the Guard family is the Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard.

No weak spots – integrated special protection

The armouring of the S 600 Guard follows the principle of integrated protection based on many years of Mercedes-Benz experience in building special protection vehicles. The major advantages are:

• Outstanding strength and stability thanks to specific reinforcement of the base structure which is integrated into the bodyshell production stage.
• The high level of comfort is maintained by sophisticated integration and intelligent overlapping of all protective elements.

Already at the bodyshell stage, protective components of special steel are integrated into the cavities between the body structure and the outer skin. Special aramide and PE components provide additional splinter protection. Intelligent overlapping systems at particularly critical points ensure comprehensive ballistic protection.

The glass areas are an essential part of the protective concept. They are coated with polycarbonate on the inside for splinter protection, and have outstanding visual characteristics thanks to their laminated structure. Particular attention is devoted to the protective performance of the glass areas, with an appropriate choice of materials and thicknesses.

The interaction between all the components provides the occupants with a highly effective protective space which not only includes ballistic protection, but also comprehensive protection against explosive devices. The occupants are effectively protected by the armouring if a splintering explosive charge is fired at close range on either side.

With its sophisticated and strong protective system, the new S 600 Guard has immediately met all the personal protection requirements of the relevant authorities in Germany, and is the first vehicle to have been comprehensively certificated for highest ballistic protection in resistance class VR9 (according to BRV 2009, version 2).

Where explosive charges are concerned, the new S-Guard has demonstrated its protective capabilities by meeting the requirements of ERV2010 and the Federal Office of Criminal Investigation. Innovative underbody armouring almost entirely covers the underbody for the first time, a unique feature in the civilian special protection segment.

Discretion as a matter of course

Despite the extensive protective measures, the S 600 Guard is externally hardly distinguishable from the standard model. Its exterior has the same emphatic lines that already suggest power and dynamism when at standstill, the same striking design of the LED High Performance headlamps and the same LED rear light clusters. As the S 600 Guard is hardly recognisable as an armoured saloon, it meets a further important requirement for special protection vehicles: maximum discretion thanks to unobtrusiveness.

Protection without compromises

The S 600 Guard has a generously spacious interior. Like the flagship S-Class model, the S 600 Guard excels with exemplary headroom and elbow room in the rear, and is also in a class by itself in this segment in terms of comfort dimensions such as entry height and door apertures. In addition, for the first time and as the only car in this segment, the new S 600 Guard is available both as a 4-seater and as a fully-fledged 5-seater, and offers unrestricted day-to-day suitability by virtue of a 350-litre boot capacity and high payload.

Thanks to the intelligently integrated armouring, the Guard version retains the first-class ambience of the S-Class Saloon for its occupants, and meets the highest expectations with regard to perceived quality, appointments and comfort. The comfort features of the standard model, and especially its innovations, are also almost without exception available for the S-Guard. These include:

• The Chauffeur package, which has a chauffeur position for the front passenger seat, EASY ADJUST luxury head restraints for the driver and front passenger, folding and removable on the front passenger side, and footrests electrically extendable on the front passenger side.
• The Executive seat in the rear on the front passenger side has a legrest and cushionbag.
• The Rear PRE-SAFE^® package with illuminated belt buckle extenders, PRE-SAFE^® belt tensioners and beltbags for the outer rear seats, assisted closing for the doors and boot lid.
• The First-Class rear suite with a continuous Business console transforms the rear into a mobile office with two individual seats.
• Business telephony in the rear features a handset with touchscreen and a separate hands-free zone in the rear.
• The Warmth Comfort package pleasantly warms all surfaces with which the passengers come into contact.
• The AIR-BALANCE package, including ionisation, improved air filtering and fragrancing.

A rear reading lamp with newly developed LED lights is also optionally available for the S 600 Guard.

Twelve-cylinder powerpack

The S 600 Guard delivers superior performance thanks to its V12 petrol engine, which now generates 530 hp and therefore has even more pulling power than the engine of the preceding model. Thanks to 830 Nm of torque and the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, which is available with the V12 engine for the first time, the S-Guard combines lower fuel consumption with impressive acceleration for a rapid escape from the danger zone when under threat. For weight reasons the top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph.

Highly efficient air suspension

The S 600 Guard offers its passengers outstanding ride comfort and excellent driving dynamics. This is ensured by the AIRMATIC air suspension with variable damper control, as well as reinforced, redimensioned suspension components and adapted control functions such as ESP^® or ASR to cope with the increased vehicle weight. The air springs at the front are reinforced, for example, and additional steel springs are used at the rear axle. As in the unarmoured S-Class, all-round level control also maintains a constant vehicle level irrespective of the payload in the S‑Guard. In the S 600 Guard it also compensates the reduced ground clearance caused by the underbody armour.

The brakes of the S-Guard are considerably larger than those of the standard model, so that the extra weight can be safely handled. Larger 6-piston brake callipers and significantly larger brake discs are used at the front axle, for example. The rear brakes are also of larger dimensions than on the standard model.

Standard equipment on the S 600 Guard includes Michelin PAX run-flat tyres with an additional tyre pressure monitoring system which allows an escape from the danger zone up to a distance of 19 miles even with damaged tyres.

Intelligent assistance systems

The S 600 Guard is also equipped with the latest technical innovations that make the Mercedes-Benz S-Class a shining example of passenger car development in general and the world's best-selling luxury saloon. As part of Intelligent Drive, these optionally include assistance systems which considerably enhance comfort and safety.

The following options are available:

• the Driver Assistance package PLUS – this includes the assistance systems DISTRONIC PLUS with Stop&Go Pilot, BAS PLUS Brake, Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist, PRE-SAFE^®Brake with pedestrian recognition and ESP^®, and an electric parking brake.
• Night View Assist Plus
• LED Intelligent Light System
• 360° camera

Guard-specific equipment for more comfort and safety

In addition Mercedes-Benz offers further optional extras which were specifically developed for the S-Guard. These include:

• opaque roller blinds all-round in the rear
• heated windscreen and side windows
• easily operated panic alarm system
• fire extinguisher system with automatic activation
• emergency fresh air system protecting occupants from the ingress of smoke or irritant gases
• hydraulic power for the heavy side windows
• gimbal LED reading lamps in the rear
• special cooling compartment in the rear

As in the case of standard production models, the full manufacturer's warranty also applies to the S 600 Guard and the other models in the Guard family. All the Mercedes-Benz service outlets worldwide are also able to service, maintain or carry out any necessary repairs for the Guard models.

The Guard family

The Mercedes-Benz Guard range currently has models from the S, E, M and G-Class. Mercedes-Benz offers the most extensive range of special protection vehicles, with a total of nine models.

Mercedes-Benz E-Guard

The Mercedes-Benz E-Guard models are available in three engine variants. With a six-cylinder diesel engine in the E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Guard, a V6 petrol engine in the E 350 Guard and a 5.5.-litre V8 in the E 500 Guard. All E-Guard models provide high protection in resistance class VR4 (according to BRV 2009).

Mercedes-Benz G 500 Guard

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is also available in a special-protection version. The G 500 Guard is equipped with a 5.5-litre V8 engine and highest protection to VR6 or VR7 (according to BRV 2009).

Mercedes-Benz M-Guard

The M-Guard is available as the ML 350 BlueTEC with a V6 diesel engine and as the ML 500 with a powerful V8 petrol engine. 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive is obligatory for these models, ensuring maximum traction and enhanced handling stability. As a special protection vehicle, the M-Guard with its integrated protective components meets all the requirements for resistance class VR7 (according to BRV 2009).

Further information: Protection classes

High-Protection vehicles engineered to the VR4 protection level resist large-calibre revolver ammunition and offer particularly good protection against the increasing threat of drug-related and violent street crime.

Highest-Protection vehicles engineered to protection level VR6/VR7/VR9 provide effective protection against the threat posed by terrorist attacks. Their armour is designed to resist rifle-fire from military weapons, which has a velocity almost twice that of handgun bullets. They also offer resistance to splinters from hand-grenades and explosive charges.