A Mercedes That Serves and Protects

On the surface, this may look like a standard Mercedes-Maybach S600. But this particular S600 is built with the mission of protecting those inside.

This is the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard and it is designed to protect those who are worried of being attacked. This is the first passenger vehicle to earn the VR10 protection standard, which means the S600 Guard can take a steel-core bullet shot from an assault rifle and keep its passengers safe. This S-Class also has an ERV 2010 rating (Explosive Resistant Vehicles), although we don't know what this means since the test criteria for determining this rating “are not in the public domain.”

What changes are done to make a Maybach S600 into a Guard?

Mercedes uses a 'special steel' that is sandwiched between the body shell and outer body panels. This steel is also overlapped in certain areas to “provide comprehensive ballistic protection.” Thicker windows are fixed and have a polycarbonate coating to prevent glass splintering due to an attack. There is also armoring underneath the passenger compartment.

But this is still a Mercedes-Maybach?

Of course. The Guard version comes with swaths of leather, reclining rear seats with massaging, and an extensive option list. Power is provided by the standard Maybach S600's 6.0L twin-turbo V12 with 523 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque. It will be slightly slower than the standard model because of all of the extra weight from the armor.

How much for one?

Mercedes-Benz says the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard will start at €470,000 before taxes (about $518,000 at current exchange rates).