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fixed and essential part of the protective elements,
and particular attention was paid to selecting the
appropriate materials and thicknesses. The windows
are coated with polycarbonate on the inside for
splinter protection, and have outstanding visual
characteristics, despite their laminated structure.
The interaction between all the components provides
the occupants with a highly effective protective
space which not only includes ballistic protection,
but also comprehensive protection against explosive
devices. In the event of an explosive charge
detonating at the side of the vehicle, the armouring
protects the occupants as effectively as it does in
an assault with explosives beneath the vehicle: the
new underbody armouring, already tried and tested
in the S-Class, entirely covers the underbody under
the occupant compartment, a unique feature in the
civilian special-protection segment.
The Guard family: special protection ex-factory
In addition to the new Mercedes-Maybach S 600,
the Mercedes-Benz Guard range currently includes
S-Class, G-Class and GLE models. With specialprotection
vehicles in six model series, Mercedes-
Benz offers a more extensive range of specialprotection
vehicles than any other manufacturer.
As in the case of series-produced models, the full
manufacturer’s warranty also applies to the models
in the Guard family. All the Mercedes-Benz service
outlets worldwide are also able to service, maintain
or carry out any necessary repairs to the Guard
models.
• Mercedes-Benz G 500 Guard: The G 500 Guard is
equipped with a
5.5-litre V8 engine and highest protection to VR7
(according to BRV 2009).
• Mercedes-Benz GLE Guard: Available as GLE 350
d 4MATIC and as GLE 500 4MATIC. As a specialprotection
vehicle, the GLE Guard meets all
requirements of protection levels VR4 or VR6
(according to BRV 2009) and ERV 2010.
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard: Available as an
eight-cylinder (long-wheelbase S 500) and as a
twelve-cylinder (long-wheelbase S 600). The specialprotection
version of the new S-Class, presented in
2014, was the first vehicle to be fully certified with
the highest ballistic protection level VR9 (according
to BRV 2009, version 2). When it comes to protection
against explosives, the S-Class proved its capability
by fulfilling the requirements of ERV 2010 (roof,
floor, sides) and Germany’s Federal Office of Criminal
Investigation.
Experience: Mercedes-Benz has been building
special-protection vehicles for over 85 years. It
started way back with the 1928 Nürburg 460 model
when Daimler-Benz became the first company to
begin factory-fitting saloons with special protective
features to shield the occupants from gunshots and
explosives. Mercedes-Benz also developed specially
protected variants of subsequent luxury-class and
prestige vehicles such as the “Grand Mercedes”
770 and the 500 model. Emperor Hirohito of Japan
personally selected an armoured “Grand Mercedes”
as his official car. Today the vehicle, delivered in
1935, can be seen in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in
Untertürkheim.
Many politicians and heads of state followed the
emperor’s example and entrusted their safety
and security to Mercedes-Benz special-protection
vehicles. From 1965 onwards Mercedes-Benz
offered numerous models with special protection. In
addition to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 600 Saloon
and Pullman Saloon models, in the 1970s and 1980s,
the range included the 280 SEL 3.5 and V8 S-Class
models, the 350 SE/SEL and 450 SE/SEL as well as
the 380 SE/SEL to 560 SEL. Since 1979, Mercedes-
Benz has also been building G-Class models with
protective systems.
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