Stuttgart
- With violence, drug-related crime and random
threats increasing on a global scale, Mercedes-Benz is responding
with a comprehensive range of special-protection vehicles.
The S 600 with the newly developed V12 bi-turbo engine is
the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz Guard range. Special-protection
versions of E-Class and G-Class models are also available.
The
saloons and cross-country vehicles in the Guard range provide
defence against revolver and rifle bullets, and additionally,
if required, against hand grenades, explosives and Molotov
cocktails.
Mercedes-Benz
Guard models are in service all over the world and are universally
renowned for their high standard of security, which has
been achieved through many years of close cooperation with
nationally and internationally recognised security authorities.
This ensures that the Mercedes specialists are always fully
briefed on the latest requirements and are able to consolidate
their position at the leading edge of vehicle protection
technology and ballistics.
In order
to meet all needs, Mercedes-Benz offers Guard models in
a range of resistance levels rated to European standards:
The
Mercedes models in both protection classes have been developed
in accordance with international security standards and
have successfully undergone both testing and certification
by independent organisations.
Discreet
looks and characteristic Mercedes quality
Trust,
dependability, quality and discretion are the key attributes
in the sensitive field of special protection. Statesmen,
diplomats and senior business figures all over the world
appreciate being able to travel in vehicles which do not
immediately betray their special status. This is also the
case, however, for customers in less prominent positions
who are increasingly taking an interest in specially protected
vehicles as rising crime levels - particularly car-jacking
and gang crime - bring home the growing importance of this
vehicle category. Demand for special-protection vehicles
is especially high in the Middle East and the countries
of the former Soviet Union as well as in South and Central
America and the United States.
Special-protection
features integrated on the production line
Common
to all Mercedes-Benz Guard vehicles is the philosophy of
integrated special protection. This means that the protective
features for the doors, rear wall, side panels, roof lining
and firewall are not retrofitted to a finished vehicle but
are instead integrated into the bodyshell on a dedicated
production line independent of the standard production process.
The resulting vehicles offer characteristic Mercedes-Benz
build quality combined with High or Highest Protection even
in those areas where post-production access would be all
but impossible. A further advantage is that the protective
features do not put a strain on the basic vehicle but rather
reinforce its structure.
Thanks
to this approach, even the smallest details benefit from
highly effective solutions. Mercedes-Benz Guard vehicles
are thus distinguished by advanced technical measures which
make it virtually impossible for projectiles to defeat the
armour. Potential weak points are thoroughly protected;
at gaps in the body, at the doors or at the joins between
metal and glass sections, an ingenious system prevents projectiles
from penetrating. Mercedes-Benz Guard vehicles thus offer
their occupants seamless all-over protection.
Combination
of high-tech materials
For
a high level of protection, the passenger cells of Mercedes-Benz
Guard vehicles are surrounded by armour made from state-of-the-art
materials such as glass/plastic combinations and high-strength
special steel (High Protection – resistance level
B4) or special steel combined with plastic elements (Highest
Protection – resistance level B6/B7). The steel stops
the bullets while extra plastic fibres provide additional
splinter protection for the interior.
The
Mercedes specialists at the Sindelfingen plant are continually
testing new materials, new grades of steel and all vehicle
components for their assault-worthiness in order to achieve
the optimal capability at each resistance level. As a consequence
of this commitment to exploring the potential of new materials
and technologies, Mercedes-Benz has been setting the standard
for the development of special-protection vehicles for decades.
The aim of the experts is to reconcile the highest degree
of protection with the lowest possible weight.
Reinforced
body structure and modified chassis
The
integrated design approach also means that all the reinforcements
to the body structure required because of the weight of
the protective elements can be incorporated right from the
start. These reinforcements include for example sturdier
door hinges and window frames. The window frames support
the heavy side windows which are coated on the inside with
a tough polycarbonate layer, while the door hinges have
to support doors whose weight is raised to as much as over
100 kg due to the special protection features. Despite the
weight, the hinges operate smoothly and reliably throughout
the life of the car.
In this
way, the Mercedes-Benz protection specialists adapt the
entire body structure to the increased weight, ensuring
the same top-class quality as the standard models from the
Stuttgart-based brand.
The
engineers also devote particular attention to the chassis:
upgraded components and brakes ensure that the Mercedes-Benz
Guard models have virtually identical handling to the standard
models and offer an optimum driving experience with high
dynamic reserves. The chassis is also designed to ensure
that the characteristic Mercedes ride comfort is not impaired
by the extra weight. Again, this is only possible because
the protection specialists are able to establish and refine
the necessary modifications as early as the developmental
phase. Paint quality and corrosion protection also meet
the high standards of conventional Mercedes-Benz passenger
cars thanks to the seamless integration of the special protection
features.
Additional
security features of the Mercedes-Benz Guard models include
run-flat tyres and optional extras such as protected fuel
tanks and the Panic Alarm System. The latter can be activated
from anywhere in the vehicle. It locks the doors to create
a protected space and alerts the outside world by means
of visual and audible alarm signals. It also allows communication
with the outside world via an intercom.