The British prime minister, Tony Blair, is about to take delivery of a flash new limousine which has been dubbed a "super-fortress". The bullet-proof Jaguar XJ, which has a price tag of over £200,000, comes with a host of unusual extras that most motoring fans can only dream of.
For starters, its Kevlar armour is capable of repelling bullets, grenades or even missiles. And a super-charged 4.2-litre engine means the three-tonne vehicle can reach speeds in excess of 155mph.
Even shooting out the wheels scarcely slows it down because special "run flat" tyres have been fitted, while gun ports allow police to open fire on any would-be attackers. And just for good measure, an intercom system has been fitted, so passengers can talk to people outside without rolling down the bullet-proof windows.
The only foreseeable problem with the vehicle, which will be used to ferry Mr Blair to and from Downing Street, is that his son Euan may feel a little hard done by. Because when time came for the Blairs to buy their teenager his first runabout, Euan had to settle for a £3,500 Ford Ka.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
