Mercedes-Maybach has announced the new S600 Guard – a bulletproof luxury limo the company says delivers "the highest levels of ballistic and blast protection available for non-military vehicles".
Touted as being "ideal for heads of state and business leaders", the S600 Guard has been certified with a VR10 protection level and ERV 2010 rating (explosive resistant vehicles) by Germany's Federal Office of Criminal Investigation, meaning the car's bodywork, undercarriage and windows can resist automatic rifle fire and even rocket-propelled grenades.
Indeed, the car features "a host of safety reinforcement and technology to ensure [it] can still drive following an attack", says Autocar.
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The bodywork is made of special steel "integrated between the structure and the outer skin", while a polycarbonate coating has been applied to the windows for splinter protection if they were to shatter.
Michelin tyres fitted with steel rings mean they won't slip off the wheel rim in the event of a flat – and that the driver can still escape even if the tyre has been completely shredded.
Even the supporting parts such as axles and the steering rack have received reinforcement, while the fuel tank – although not bulletproof – is coated in a material used on Apache attack helicopters so if it is penetrated by a bullet, it can morph to seal the hole.
Protection aside, "it's quite a bit of machinery too", says Top Gear.
Under the bonnet sits the same 523bhp V12 bi-turbo used in the standard Maybach S600, although the added weight of the protective elements means the S600 Guard is likely to be much heavier than the 2,335kg of the standard version.
It's also extremely spacious: coming in at 17.8ft with a wheelbase of 132ins, it's some 7.8ins longer than a standard Mercedes S-Class saloon specced with the long wheelbase option.
Even the optional extras are extraordinary. For £7,268, Mercedes will fit a fresh-air system to flood the interior with breathable air should you be unlucky enough to encounter a gas attack and a weapons safe in the boot can be specced for £1,863 – no guns included.
Prices start from €470,000 (£366,000) plus VAT and it expands Mercedes' armoured car line-up to four – alongside Guard versions of the G500, GLA, and S-Class.
Crime bosses will be disappointed though – Mercedes verifies all Guard buyers to make sure they don't fall into the wrong hands.
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