The British automaker is enhancing the Land Rover Discovery 4 range with an Armoured Edition developed in partnership with Centigon, ‘global leaders in vehicle security’.
Powered by a 5.0-litre LR-V8 petrol engine which packs 375 PS and 510 Nm of torque, the Land Rover Discovery 4 Armoured Edition requires 10.2 seconds to reach 100 Km/h (62 mph) from a stand still, which is not that slow when you consider the SUV’s kerb weight is 3550kg (excluding options).
The Land Rover Discovery 4 Armoured Edition comes with a modified suspension and 378mm brake discs upgraded with Alcon aluminium brake callipers, and based on its armour specifications, it can protect its passengers against high velocity assault rifles, side explosions resulting from 15 Kg of TNT or hand grenades, thanks to its under floor ballistic steel plates.
The Land Rover Discovery 4 Armoured Edition also comes with heavy duty wheels and run flat tyres, while the vehicle’s payload capacity is 500 Kg.
The Land Rover Discovery 4 Armoured Edition price was not announce, but the automaker informed us it will be offered with a 3-year/80,000 Km warranty on both the car and its armour.
Land Rover press release :
Land Rover is enhancing its range of factory-supported armoured vehicles with the launch of the powerful new Discovery 4 Armoured.
Replacing the successful Discovery 3 model, the Discovery 4 Armoured offers the same legendary all-terrain capability and state-of-the-art protection, but features an upgraded specification to deliver superior levels of performance, luxury and style.
Compared to the previous model, the Discovery 4 Armoured offers a more powerful 5.0-litre LR-V8 petrol engine, improved passive safety with an airbag restraint system for driver and front passenger, and a more luxurious interior with premium leather seats.
With discreet armouring and a generous 500kg payload, the new model provides highly versatile, safe and comfortable transportation for five people and their luggage.
Benefiting from Land Rover’s extensive experience in the armoured vehicle market, the Discovery 4 Armoured is supplied with a full three-year, 80,000km factory warranty on the base vehicle and armour, along with comprehensive after-sales support from specialised technicians.
"The new Discovery 4 Armoured offers an outstanding breadth of capability, and enables occupants to travel across challenging terrains in confidence and safety," says John Graham, Commercial Manager Armoured Programs, Land Rover.
"Developed by Land Rover in partnership with global leaders in vehicle security, the Discovery 4 is the ideal choice for government agencies, security organisations and businesses whose employees are exposed to high-risk locations."
Fully certified armouring systems
Although virtually indistinguishable from the standard model, the Discovery 4 Armoured features ballistic steel armour and glazing which provides ballistic protection in accordance with European standards BS EN1522 level FB6 and BS EN 1063 level BR6 respectively.
Developed in partnership with the vehicle armouring specialists Centigon, it also provides blast protection against 15kg TNT (or equivalent) detonated in close proximity to the vehicle and under floor protection against two DM51 hand grenades. The protection offered was certified by QinetiQ®, a globally recognised independent blast and ballistic testing organisation.
"Rather than relying on testing the individual armour components, we have ensured that the entire vehicle is independently certified to B6 standards, so that we can be completely confident of its ballistic integrity," added John Graham.
Comprehensive engineering changes have been made to the base vehicle to ensure that it maintains optimum ride and handling on all surfaces, despite the additional mass of the armour.
The Discovery 4 chassis features independent air suspension, and modifications that include uprated air springs and retuned dampers, larger diameter anti-roll bars, and heavy duty Alcon disc brakes front and rear.
Land Rover engineers have also enhanced the passive Safety Systems in the new Discovery 4 Armoured, with driver’s steering wheel and passenger fascia dual-stage airbag restraint systems.
Enhanced performance on all surfaces
Like the standard vehicle, the Discovery 4 Armoured comes equipped with advanced four-wheel-drive technologies to deliver outstanding all-terrain performance.
This includes full functionality of the latest generation Terrain Response System® – an armoured market class-leading feature, which enables the driver to configure the vehicle to negotiate a variety of surfaces, such as tarmac, ruts, grass, mud, snow or rocks, in the most effective way.
For enhanced performance, the Discovery 4 Armoured is equipped with the new 375PS
5.0-litre LR-V8 direct-injection petrol engine, replacing the 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel used in the previous model.
Teamed with a responsive six-speed automatic transmission, this refined and powerful new engine offers significantly faster acceleration, with 0-100km/h (62mph) achieved in just 10.6 seconds.
Comfortable and flexible interior
The interior of the Discovery 4 Armoured is both functional and extremely comfortable, providing a commanding elevated driving position and a flexible seating layout for up to five people. The practicality of the vehicle is significantly enhanced by the generous 500kg payload allowance.
Passengers will also appreciate the completely redesigned Discovery 4 cabin, which features a more stylish and sophisticated design with smooth and flowing surface treatments.
The quality of the interior materials has been significantly upgraded compared to the previous model, featuring premium leather upholstery on the seats and sumptuous real wood veneers.
Comprehensive support
Land Rover provides armoured vehicle customers with a comprehensive support programme, both before and after purchase.
A dedicated security consultant works closely with the customer during the sales process, to ensure their full requirements are met. Customers are able to select from an extensive choice of optional security features to provide the desired vehicle configuration.
Once the vehicle is in service, the customer has access to a full driver training programme. An armour specialist can provide optional services which include scheduled maintenance, support and vehicle familiarisation.
All Discovery 4 Armoured vehicles have a full three-year, 80,000km factory warranty.
EDITOR’S NOTES
1. More details on the Discovery 4 Armoured can be found at http://www.landrover.com/gl/en/lr/professional-vehicles/armoured-vehicles/discovery-4-armoured/
Land Rover Discovery 4 Armoured – Detailed Specifications
Base Vehicle Specification
5.0-litre LR-V8 direct-injection petrol engine
Maximum Power (EEC) 375 PS (276 kW)
Maximum Torque (EEC) 510 Nm (376 lb ft)
6-speed automatic transmission
Kerb weight 3550kg (excluding options)
4050kg GVW
Air conditioning
Land Rover Terrain Response® system
Off road capability (deep sand driving not recommended)
Modified suspension system to accommodate increased vehicle mass
378mm brake discs with upgraded Alcon aluminium brake callipers: 6-pot front, 4-pot rear
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System – where licensed
Armour Specification
European Standard BS EN 1522 FB6 and BS EN 1063 BR6 (high velocity assault rifle)
Side blast protection – 15kg device in close proximity to the vehicle
Under floor protection against 2 x DM 51 hand grenades
Heavy duty wheels and run flat tyres – Goodyear Wrangler HP All Weather Tyre
Optional Features
Essential Armour Option Pack
Driver opening window (100mm drop to allow document passing)
Auxiliary secondary battery supply
Anti-tamper exhaust
Intercom
Maintenance Option Pack
Heavy duty spare wheel and run flat tyre – Goodyear Wrangler HP All Weather Tyre
Heavy duty jack and tools
Independent Options
Covert blue lights and siren system (where legal)
Covert headlight flash (LED)
Under bonnet fire suppressant system
Heavy duty jack and tools
Tinted windows
Intercom
Auxiliary secondary battery supply
Anti-tamper exhaust
Driver’s opening front window
Rear payload area glass anti-theft film protection
Specialist Service Option
Global After Sales Support is a tailor made package available on request
Driver Training Package
Armoured Vehicle Driver Training is a tailor made package available on request
