It might look just about the same as the regular Range Rover, but look closer and you’ll notice some things are a bit different compared to the standard variant of the British luxury SUV. Take for example the LED lights in the front bumper and behind the grille, although it’s the thickness of the doors that really gives away the model’s true identity. We’re in fact dealing with the Sentinel, the armoured version of the big Range Rover, featuring more than one ton (999 kg) of armour plate and glass to protect the occupants from a terrorist attack.

2019 Range Rover Sentinel

Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations very first armoured vehicle, the Sentinel made its debut back in September 2015 with a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine. For 2019, SVO is making some changes underneath the bonnet where now resides the larger 5.0-litre V8 mill, also of the supercharged variety. The engine upgrade comes along with an extra 39 bhp for a grand total of 375 bhp.

2019 Range Rover Sentinel

It’s enough supercharged muscle for a sprint to 62 mph completed in 10.4 seconds and a limited top speed of 120 mph, which might not sound all that impressive, but let’s keep in mind the Sentinel's ample weight.

This armoured version of the Range Rover has the suspension, chassis, braking, and the electronic stability systems recalibrated for the SUV’s extra weight, while the bespoke wheels come with a built-in run-flat system. This allows the vehicle to cover up to 30 miles at speeds of 50 mph even if one of the tyres is punctured.

2019 Range Rover Sentinel

The 2019 Sentinel can be optionally fitted with a siren and emergency lighting packages, as well as a custom front window that goes down by 150 mm for document delivery. Inside, there’s more headroom than before and better seats, along with the company’s latest and greatest Touch Pro Duo infotainment system.

Land Rover will have the updated Sentinel on display starting today, but not at the Geneva Motor Show since JLR is skipping the event altogether. Instead, the armoured SUV will be exhibited until Thursday at the Home Office Security and Policing show in Farnborough.

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Gallery: 2019 Range Rover Sentinel

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FORTRESS REFINED: ENHANCED PROTECTION AND PERFORMANCE FOR ARMOURED RANGE ROVER SENTINEL

Range Rover Sentinel: Discreetly armoured variant is designed, engineered and built by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations
●    Exceptional performance: Now featuring Land Rover’s 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 petrol engine, capable of 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds (0-60mph in 9.8 seconds)
●    A mobile fortress: Features the latest in occupant protection including armoured glass, roof blast-protection and emergency escape system
●    Customary refinement: All of the design, refinement and presence expected of the luxury Range Rover Autobiography SUV
●    Peerless capability: Upgrades to the chassis, suspension and braking systems ensure legendary all-terrain capability is retained
●    Show debut: New armoured vehicle will make its debut at the Home Office Security and Policing show on 5 March 2019
●    Find out more: www.landrover.com/sentinel

Monday 4 March 2019, Fen End, UK: Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations today reveals the latest version of its armoured Range Rover Sentinel, which now features more power, unparalleled refinement, all-terrain capability and the latest in occupant protection.

The 380PS 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 petrol engine gives a 40PS power uplift over the V6 petrol fitted previously, ensuring the armoured SUV retains exceptional Range Rover performance across all terrains. Carrying more than one tonne of armour plate and glass, Sentinel will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds (0-60mph in 9.8 seconds), with top speed limited to 193km/h (120mph).

Designed and engineered by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, and built at the SV Technical Centre in Warwickshire, the armoured Sentinel provides peerless occupant security with world class comfort. At its core is a protection cell built to stringent whole vehicle standards and in accordance with full ballistic and blast certification*. The enhanced body is engineered to face modern and unconventional forms of attack, including improvised explosive device (IED) fragmentation blasts.

The Range Rover Sentinel delivers the exceptional protection and security required by our VIP clients without compromising the superior refinement of the latest Range Rover. The addition of the more powerful 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 engine and a redesigned interior ensures a heightened level of performance and occupant safety

The chassis, suspension, braking and electronic stability systems are all optimised to retain Range Rover’s on-road dynamics, while Sentinel also delivers unparalleled off-road ability for an armoured vehicle of this kind, enabling it to tackle deep water crossings and challenging terrain with ease. Specially manufactured wheels incorporate a run-flat system so the vehicle can be driven over distances of more than 50km (up to 30 miles) at speeds of 80km/h (50mph) if a tyre is damaged.

Sentinel is fitted with armoured glass in order to help protect occupants from attack. Further security systems includes the option for a specially configured front window which drops a maximum of 150mm for document delivery, while it also features a public address system allowing occupants to address people outside the vehicle without leaving their secure environment. Siren and emergency lighting packs are also available.

Range Rover’s peerless refinement is retained with the new Sentinel gaining improved cabin space, enhanced headroom and superior seating over the previous generation, which ensures occupants not only benefit from complete protection on the move but also enjoy truly world class comfort. The interior also features Land Rover’s latest Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with two 10-inch high resolution touch screens.

Featuring the latest Range Rover exterior design elements, including LED lighting, Sentinel is now offered with the optional Black Pack which adds black finishes to trim items for an even more sophisticated appearance.

The updated Range Rover Sentinel will make its debut at the Home Office Security and Policing show from 5-7 March 2019, at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.

MICHAEL VAN DER SANDE
MANAGING DIRECTOR, LAND ROVER SPECIAL VEHICLE OPERATIONS