Mercedes S 680 Guard 4matic: Rollende Trutzburg

For decades, the German premium manufacturers have been setting the tone for armored limousines around the world. The triumvirate of the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class is not only the measure of all things for normal off-the-shelf luxury sedans, but also for the highly secured armored versions. BMW left the current generation and for the first time since the BMW 733i of the E23 generation no longer has a heavy tank in its range ex works. Audi, on the other hand, remained true to its line and continues to provide, among other things, the state limousine of Chancellor Angela Merkel. Now Daimler is following suit and adding a tank version of the still young Mercedes S-Class. This is a rejection for the first time for the armored Mercedes G-Class, which is still only available as a normal vehicle. The predecessor of the Mercedes W 463 generation had been very successful for many years in tank versions that made a name for themselves as an escort vehicle for personal protection columns and protection models for armies and special operations units.

In future, Daimler will rely solely on its S-Class for armored vehicles. The new model is only available with a long wheelbase and the 450 kW / 612 PS / 830 Nm V12 turbo engine from the Maybach. A specially extended XXL version like the Pullman Guard of the predecessor should no longer exist. For this, Mercedes is now also offering its armored S-Class with the overdue all-wheel drive, which was previously only available ex works for the Audi A8 and the now discontinued VW Phaeton and which enjoyed great popularity with bodyguards because of the dynamic advantages.

“The S 680 Guard 4matic is one of the most customer-oriented products from Mercedes-Benz. Because this special protection model focuses on people and their safety,” says Dirk Fetzer, Head of Product Management S-Class, “no other series sedan fulfills this as fully as possible highest protection class for civil vehicles. And at the same time, quality and durability are at series level thanks to extensive development and testing. ” While most armored vehicles are limited to 210 km / h due to tires with the appropriate emergency running properties, the new Panzer S-Class with protection level VR10 stops propulsion at 190 km / h. The axles and tires of the 4.2-ton model, which is available as a four- and five-seater, come from the previous version. The maximum payload is 660 kilograms. The protection class VR10 fulfills the highest ballistic test level for civil vehicles and is not only secured against appropriate explosive charges, but also against fire with assault rifles with the appropriate steel hard core ammunition.

While the corresponding protective materials were previously integrated into the series body structure of the Mercedes armored sedans, a specific armored shell made of protective elements was developed for the first time with the new S Guard. The occupants sit in a maximally protected cell, which should only be noticed by experts, because from the outside the Mercedes S 680 Guard looks almost like a completely normal S-Class. At second glance, optical differences can only be seen in the centimeter-thick windows and the tires with Michelin’s Pax emergency running system.

In addition to the invisible armor elements, the transparent area of ​​the panes is an essential part of the protection concept. The material and thickness of the multi-layer pane sandwich also meet the requirements of the VR10 classification. On the inside, the panes are coated with a polycarbonate splinter protection. On request, there is a refrigerator in the 390 liter cargo space that can be used from the interior. In addition to the armored cell, there are panes of glass as thick as a fist and window regulators with a hydraulic emergency function. Other optional equipment includes a fire extinguishing system and an emergency fresh air system that protects occupants from the ingress of smoke or irritant gases and supplies them with fresh air. Since most vehicles are used by authorities, governments or royal houses, the Guard models are equipped with flashers, signal systems or radio. This much security has its price, because the production time of the heavily armored Mercedes S-Class is 51 days. The exact purchase price has not yet been determined – it should, however, be around 500,000 euros.