The Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard Maybach S650 Guard offers the highest occupant protection
The talk of the town is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new armoured vehicle the Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard in which he was seen being chauffeured around.
Offering VR10 level ballistics protection, the luxury armoured vehicle replaces the BMW 7-Series High-Security Edition that was in service for 8 years. Two units of the S650 Guard are known to have been purchased.
The security detail of the Special Protection Group (SPG) has made it mandatory to replace vehicles of the protectee once every 6 years and the decision on purchasing assets that will enhance the protectee’s safety is made by the SPG.
Powered by a twin turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine estimated to deliver 630 HP and 1000 Nm, the Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard has a top speed of 160 km/hr (restricted).
The car rides on special run-flat tyres, has armoured protection on the underside, an upgraded bodyshell, 2010 Explosion Proof Vehicle (ERV) rating and windows that can withstand hardened steel core bullets.
Moreover, it can protect its occupants from a 15 kg TNT explosion 2 metres away, and features a fuel tank coated with a special material to seal holes, apart from a separate air supply for the cabin in the case of a gas attack.
It goes without saying that both units of the Maybach S650 Guard which will be used by the Prime Minister will be kitted with classified safety equipment for added security.
While it is said each unit of the Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard costs Rs. 12 crores, recent developments state the actual price of the car is less than the speculated cost.
Prime Minister Modi has, thus far in his life, used a bulletproof Mahindra Scorpio, Range Rover Vogue, Toyota Land Cruiser and the above-mentioned BMW 7-Series High-Security Edition, among others.
Mercedes recently revealed the new S-Class Guard in international markets, so it’s fair to say that it a new Maybach Guard could also be in the works.
