Mercedes-Benz’ new range of S-Class Guard, S 600, is more than a beauty to marvel at. With high-end techniques and integrated safety measures, it’s a fully armoured luxury vehicle
With its sleek frame dazzling under flash lights, it was tough to take eyes off this black marvel that was just out of its silken velvet veil. It was S 600, Mercedes-Benz’ new range of S-Class Guard, that was recently launched at the Buddh International Circuit. The S-Class or Guard models are the armoured or protective range of cars of the company. And the new S 600 is designed to resist and tackle every kind of attack — from high caliber bullets to bomb blasts and high level explosions.
This is not the company’s first model of ‘armoured cars.’ Their Guard range has models from S, E, M and G-Classes — each different in their specifications. The S 600, however, comes with high end techniques and integrated safety measures. The body of the car is made up of metal which is equivalent to metal doors of eight normal cars and have Michelin PAX run-flat tyres which allow the car to travel to a distance of 30 km even in case of a puncture.
The new car is about 1.9 tonnes heavier than a normal S-Class. “Which is approximately the same weight of an E-Class and S-Class together,” said Markus Rubenbauer, head of guard sales. The other protective components include a special kind of armour steel which is integrated into the hollow cavity between the inner body and the outer cover, and glasses coated with polycarbonate on the inside for splinter protection. “Special armide and PE components in the glass also provide additional splinter protection,” he added.
The S 600 Guard is the first vehicle in Germany to be declared to have the highest class of ballistic protection. Not only that, the car is also resistant to fire and has fire extinguishers fitted in the underbody. Rubenbauer said, “It is a VR9 (vehicle resistance) automobile. It can withstand rifle fire from military weapons and offer protection from grenade and explosive charges.” Another striking feature of the car is the fact that it has an internal automatic air regulation system. Rubenbauer explained that in case of an explosion or a gas leak outside, the system starts pumping fresh air inside the car. “In every way, the passenger cell is protected,” he added.
Even though it is being considered the “safest luxury spot on earth,” it is hardly distinguishable from any other luxury car. “That is the uniqueness of the model and its make,” said Ebehard Kern, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India. Twelve-cylinder power pack V12 petrol engine generates 390 kW (530 hp) and 830 Nm of torque, mated to a 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission.
According to Rubenbauer, the car, priced at Rs8.9 crore, will be of use to politicians, government officials and VIP’s. “Film celebrities can also utilise the benefits of the car,” he added. The company will provide for a two-day training, so as to make the customer accustomed to the features of the car and will also arrange for service technicians to fly down from Germany, if needed.