On Guard!

IN A sign of our violent times, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz have revealed armoured versions of the long-wheelbase XJ sedan and forthcoming S-class sedan respectively.

And both luxury makers are forthright about their new limousines’ protective abilities.

Available now in the UK, with prices starting from £199,000 ($A461,000) plus on-road costs, the Armoured XJ Long Wheelbase is Jaguar’s first armoured passenger car.

Claimed to protect its occupants from "a comprehensive range of hand guns and highvelocity assault rifles" plus "blast attack, robbery, kidnap and car jacking", the armoured XJ is aimed at heads of state, high-profile businesspeople, diplomats and celebrities.

Safe but discreet, the most expensive XJ features bullet-resistant borosilicate laminated glazing, Kevlar under-body protection, ballistic-resistant steel and titanium armour and run-flat tyres.

To cope with the extra weight and ensure the car "remains agile and responsive to a more aggressive driving style", there are strengthened Eibach springs made from a special silicon alloy, plus Bilstein B46 dampers to replace the otherwise standard air suspension.

The variable assisted steering system (VAPS) has also been tweaked, while larger brake discs and six-piston Alcon mono-block front brake callipers (with four-piston items at rear) are fitted.

Security features include a tamper-proof exhaust, intercom system, self-sealing fuel tank, cabin with its own oxygen supply and a titanium-armouredroof.

Meantime, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled an S600 Guard version of the its redesigned S-class flagship sedan, which goes on sale here in February.

To be available from next year, the long-wheelbase 380kW twin-turbo V12-powered S600 Guard is an armoured special protection version of the S-class, which Mercedes says "offers an unsurpassed level of protection against terrorist attacks and the threat of violent crime".

Built online at the Sindelfingen factory (because "such top-quality protection is impossible to provide by retrofitting a vehicle with armour"), the S600 Guard continues the company’s tradition of developing special protection vehicles that stretches back almost 80 years.

At Sindelfingen, the S600 is fitted with heavy-duty doors, rear wall, side components, roof lining and bulkhead.

Details are scarce, but Benz claims there is virtually no reduction in interior space, while the "generous dimensions of the chassis componentsand brakes" ensure the S-Guard sedan "displays handling properties almost identical to series models".

Like the XJ, the S600 Guard meets Europe’s strictest B6/B7 protection standard, which resists military-grade small arms, hand grenade shrapneland other explosive devices.

The armoured S-class also features run-flat tyres, a self-sealing fuel tank and an alarm system for endangered occupants – all in a discreetly presented package with almost every available Mercedes option.