Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard launch on March 8, 2016

Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard meets VR10 certification - highest ballistic protection level for any non-military vehicle. 

Mercedes-Benz will be launching the S600 Maybach Guard in India on March 8, 2016. Claimed to be the first ever car to have VR10 certification, the Mercedes-Maybach is as safe as a civilian vehicle gets. Not to mention, it will keep you cocooned in ultra-luxury even when you find yourself caught amidst a gunfire!

The ‘standard’ S600 Guard is already on sale in the country. You may think the Maybach S600 Guard is just a stretched version of the S600 Guard but, that’s not the case. The normal S-Guard meets VR9 levels of ballistic protection while the Maybach derivative of the super-safe limo is VR10 certified. This means the car’s bodywork and windows can withstand hardened steel core bullets fired from an assault rifle. Additionally, the vehicle also has an ERV 2010 rating (Explosive Resistant Vehicles).

According to Mercedes-Benz, this is achieved by integrating protective components of special steel into the cavities between the body structure and the outer skin of the car. The windows are coated with polycarbonate on the inside for splinter protection - without compromising their visual characteristics. A number of special technical measures have also been incorporated, ensuring that the Maybach S-Class remains mobile during or after an attack. You may even cruise around a war-zone in the limo, and yet manage to come out unscathed.

Under the bonnet, the Maybach S600 Guard features a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 petrol engine that develops 523bhp and 830Nm. Coupled with a 7G-Tronic automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system, this powertrain should further help you steer away from the danger zone.

Apart from that, the suspension setup of the Maybach S600 has been beefed up in the armoured vehicle. Visually, it will be hard to tell the Maybach S600 Guard from its regular counterpart since retaining the looks of the standard car is part of the “protection concept”, says Mercedes.

Considering the Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard costs Rs 8.9 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi) in India, you can expect the Maybach S600 Guard to cost nothing less than Rs 12-13 crore here!

Also read: Mercedes-Benz S-Guard review