The armored Mercedes is for the powerful and the rich.
Baden-Baden Blue light in the radiator grille, standards on the fender and under the polished sheet of armor made of armored steel – just in time for the change of government in Berlin, Mercedes is also exchanging the first car in the country and is now bringing the new S-Class back to the start in a special protection version. At least in the underground car park at Willy-Brandt-Strasse 1, there is clarity, while the most important office in the Chancellery is still being fought for.
However, you don’t have to be a candidate for Chancellor, nor a king or CEO, if you want to drive the new S 680 Guard: If you transfer 547,400 euros to the Swabians, you can also order this tank in a fur coat as a private person and thus extend your life insurance to include road traffic.
Although money alone is not enough for a good feeling, admitted series manager Andreas Zygan. In order to acquire it, you also need a reasonably good repute, because the Guard is only made for the good, and a special driver’s license for operation. Because with the best will in the world, 4.2 tonnes can no longer be classified as a car.
The weight is no coincidence: For about three times the price of a conventional S-Class, Mercedes equips the luxury sedan with safety equipment that is only surpassed by the US President’s company car. With the VPAM VR10 protection class, the S-Class meets the highest ballistic test level for civil vehicles and can withstand explosive attacks as well as sniper rifles, explains Zygan.
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In return, the S-Class has a core made of special steel, aramid fibers and armored glass, with which, for example, the weight of a door alone increases to 180 kilos. In addition, as part of the 50 instead of two days of assembly, the developers are installing an automatic fire extinguishing and fresh air system as well as special tires that will still support the car, which weighs several tons, even after being shot at.
Armored EQS: 100 kilometers range is enough
For the escape to the front or the orderly retreat, Mercedes relies on the V12 engine, which is otherwise reserved for the Maybach. It draws 612 hp from six liters of displacement and accelerates the thick ship with up to 830 Nm to a maximum of 190 km / h. More is not possible because of the tires, explains Zygan with a view to the otherwise usual 250 km / h.
But such limousines are seldom involved in chases anyway, says Zygan: “The cavalry is more likely to do that”.
As usual, it’s comfortable in the rear.
The 6.0 liter V12 engine develops 612 hp.
It is true that Mercedes has cut its range of Guard models and, for example, has now taken the G-Class out of its range. But the Swabians at the other end are thinking about a more politically correct enlargement.
Because politicians and celebrities are also increasingly paying attention to their CO2 footprint, Zygan has long been considering an electric guard based on the EQS. This is technically difficult because it has to protect more sensitive parts and above all to arm the car against electronic attacks. But at least the range discussion is obsolete, says the engineer happily: “Such cars are not driven much more than 100 kilometers in a row anyway. Because this group of people takes the helicopter for all further routes. “
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