Production has started for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard, an armoured version of the S-Class which will be widely used at diplomatic level to protect world leaders.
The S-Guard is built on a special production line at the S-Class facility in Sindelfingen, Germany, with specific S-Guard enhancements integrated at multiple stages throughout the production process.
It offers up to VR7 levels of protection against military weapons that travel twice as fast as bullets fired from a revolver. It can also withstand shrapnel coming from hand grenades as well as other similar types of explosives. The vehicles cabin has been wrapped in 5 cm thick steel plates and has a 10 cm thick windshield which weighs only 135 kg. The S-Class Guard additionally has a self-sealing fuel tank, and an alarm system.
In 2009, Mercedes-Benz launched a long-wheelbase version of the S-Guard, known as the Pullman Guard. This model is 45 cm longer than the standard model and also has a higher roof and taller rear window with a different rake.
Last year we got to see the companys ML 500 Guard SUV at the Johannesburg International Motor Show. You can read more about that model here.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard is available at this time only in the S600 version and is said to be more expensive than the regular version S600. The model is currently available in the US, South African availability is yet to be confirmed.