Ballistic steel armour is fitted which provides protection to European standard BS EN1522 level FB6. Similarly, the replacement glass complies with BS EN 1063 level BR6. The Discovery 4 Armoured is capable of withstanding the blast from 15kg of TNT (or equivalent explosive) when detonated close to the vehicle, while under-floor protection is sufficient to defend against two DM51 hand grenades. Consequently, the entire vehicle has been independently certified to B6 standards.
Unsurprisingly, the trade-off is a weight penalty. Whereas the standard car tips the scales at 2,583 kg, the Armoured version is a decidedly bulky 3,550 kg.
To compensate, the usual 3.0 litre diesel is ditched in favour of a 5.0 litre V8 direct injection petrol engine. Connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, its 369 bhp (276 kW / 375 PS) and 510 Nm (376 lb/ft) of torque are sufficient to propel the Land Rover from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in a brisk 10.6 seconds. No fuel consumption figures have been released, but they’re unlikely to be great.
The chassis has been beefed up, too. Modifications include heavy duty wheels with run-flat tyres, uprated air springs, retuned dampers and larger diameter anti-roll bars. To help the Discovery 4 Armoured to stop, 378 mm Alcon disc brakes are fitted front and rear, and they feature aluminium callipers.
Available options include a flag pole mount, covert blue light and siren system, LED headlight flash, intercom, anti-tamper exhaust and an under bonnet fire suppression.
Land Rover will discuss pricing on application, although it is saying that the Discovery 4 Armoured will come with a three-year, 80,000km factory warranty on both the base vehicle and its armour.
