Merc’s latest, a bullet-proof heavyweight at Rs.10.5 crore

The 4.7 tonne vehicle, the most expensive car from the Mercedes portfolio in India, comes with various safety features.

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday unveiled Maybach S 600 Guard in India with a price tag of Rs 10.5 crore (ex-showroom Delhi).

“…most of the global heads of states, top diplomats, business tycoons and celebrities prefer a ‘Guard’ vehicle. The Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Guard is launched in India within 15 days of its international debut. With this launch, we continue to follow our ‘top of pyramid’ approach for the discerning Indian customers,” Roland Folger, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes Benz India said. The car, company claims, is the first civilian vehicle to be certified with the highest ballistic protection level VR10.

The Mercedes-Benz Guard range in India currently comprises the Mercedes-Maybach and S 600 Guard.

The 4.7 tonne vehicle, which is the most expensive car from Mercedes portfolio in India, comes with the highest levels of ballistic and blast protection, available for a non-military vehicle.

Last month, rival Audi introduced the A8 L Security sedan with price starting at Rs 9.15 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). The car satisfied the criteria of the class VR 9 ballistic protection standard, which is one of the most stringent requirements for civilian high-security sedans.

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The car comes to the country as a completely built unit (CBU). “With the introduction of the Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Guard we have now created an unmatched offering in the segment and strongly reiterated our technological leadership in the field of special protection vehicles,” said Mr. Folger. The model is the pinnacle of luxury motoring coupled with the highest level of safety and has been launched in India within 15 days of its international debut, he added.

As per the VR 10 certification guidelines, body and windows of a car must be able to withstand hardened steel core bullets fired from an assault rifle. “It is hence not surprising that most of the global heads of state, diplomats, business tycoons and celebrities prefer a Guard vehicle,” Folger said.

The 4.7 tonne vehicle, which is the most expensive car from Mercedes portfolio in India, comes with various safety features including cabin fresh air system and a fire extinguisher system with automatic activation.

Despite its weight, the car can sprint to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and attain a top speed if 190 km/h.