The Mercedes S600 Guard makes the best car in the world a lot safer providing VR9 levels of ballistic protection against firearms and explosives without compromising on luxury.
The only way you can make the best car in the world better is by adding more safety to it, and that is exactly what Mercedes-Benz has done with the new S600 Guard edition that has been launched in India, priced at Rs. 8.9 crores (ex-showroom, Delhi). Based on the W222 S-Class, the S600 Guard is for those who live with the privilege of being disliked by a certain section of the society that can range from the local street gang to high profile terrorists and this armoured version of the flagship saloon will keep its occupants safe without having to compromise on luxury.
Coming from a lineage of building armoured vehicles since 80 years, the 2015 Mercedes S600 Guard is capable of protecting the occupants from VR9 level of ballistic protection against firearms and explosives. Built at its German facility, the manufacturer fits components like aramide, polyethylene and a special steel compound on to the S600 Guard right on the assembly line to achieve the superlative levels of protection. IED threats can be suppressed courtesy of the underbody armour plating that will keep the damage to a minimum. The windows on the saloon are several times thicker, made of polycarbonate-coated glass and actually need a hydraulic lift to open and close.
Despite the modifications, the Mercedes S600 Guard is virtually indistinguishable from the regular version and is equipped with the same and then some more luxury features seen on the flagship saloon. Customers can get the cabin customised in either four-seater or five-seater configurations with a ventilated back seat and can also have a cooling compartment mounted inside the centre console between the rear seats (on a four-seater version). Apart from the usual luxury bits, the Mercedes S600 Guard comes loaded with opaque roller blinds, panic alarm system, automatic fire suppression system and an emergency fresh air system.
With the additional weight, Mercedes has ensured that the flagship S600 Guard does not lose out on power and the saloon uses a 6.0-litre V12 engine churning out 530 PS and 830 Nm of torque under the hood, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission unit. Irrespective of the weight, the S600 Guard is capable of hitting a top speed of 193 km/hr. The AIRMATIC air suspension unit offers the impeccable ride quality hat Mercedes is known for while braking performance is enhanced from larger discs and six-piston callipers. Lastly, under attack Michelin PAX run-flat tyres on the S600 Guard and will let you drive away from the danger zone up to a distance of 30 kms even with damaged tyres.
