The Mercedes S 600 Guard is the perfect marriage between luxury, comfort and security that can only come from an armored vehicle.

Handmade on a dedicated production line, the S 600 Guard is the newest addition of special protection vehicles, something that Mercedes has been doing for the past 80 years.

Not surprisingly, the result is a vehicle that provides both superior comfort and the highest level of protection as well.

Here are some of the items that the S 600 has for protection and safety:

• A fire-extinguishing system that can be triggered either automatically or manually. 12 nozzles are strategically located and are fed by two cylinders containing extinguishing agents;
• A camera at the rear that provides passengers a view of any trailing vehicles;
• An optional emergency fresh-air system which is capable of counteracting dangerous gaseous substances;
• An independent pneumatic emergency control system for the power windows;
• Sensors that detect smoke and/or tear gas. If and when detected, the air conditioning system automatically blocks or cuts off fresh air coming from the outside;
• A special protected fuel tank that re-seals itself if perforated by bullets or shrapnel;
• Michelin PAX run flat-tire system;
• An optional Panic Alarm System which can be activated from anywhere inside the vehicle. It will automatically lock the doors, creating a protected “bubble” and at the same time, activates both visual and audible alarms;
• An emergency opening facility located in the trunk (or boot). It allows passengers to free themselves or exit the car via the trunk;
• Armor with a level IV or B7 protection rating capable of withstanding anything from 9mm,5.56mm to armor piercing 7.62 X 51 NATO rounds striking the car to grenade shrapnel and other explosive devices underneath the vehicle.

The wealthy, rich and famous and infamous and/or the just plain paranoid now have a new toy: the Mercedes E Guard. Just like its bigger brother, the Mercedes S 600 Guard, the E Guard is part of a line that continues Mercedes’ 80 years tradition of providing special protection vehicles while at the same time maintaining the level of excellence and comfort that its’ customers have learned to expect.
It appears that early on, Mercedes recognized the need for a special protection vehicle but not as heavily armored as the S 600. Understandably, diplomats and royalty who are subject to acts of terrorism need a vehicle that can withstand armor piercing, automatic weapons fire. Hence the S 600 Guard with B7 armor.
For the wealthy businessman, the S 600 even if he could afford it, would seem a bit of an overkill. The major threat to the rich would be pistol wielding muggers or carjackers. The Mercedes E-Guard has a VR4 (formerly B4) Protection Level rating appears to fit this need. This means that for example, the polycarbonate windows can withstand fire from 9mm, .357, and .44 Magnum and 12 Gauge Slug ammunition rounds and the metal plates that form a protective cage can put up with DM 51 hand grenades. Again like its bigger brother, the E Guard looks practically identical to its unprotected version. Like the S Guard model (Incidentally, a G-Class Guard is also available) the E Guard is also built on its own assembly line, which lets Mercedes armor up the car as part of the original production process.
There are currently 2 E Guard trims available: the E 320 CDI and the E 550. The E 320 CDI has a V6, 24 valve, 224 hp engine and has a top speed of 140 mph. Not bad considering that the E 320 Guard is 800lbs heavier than the standard E320 which has a curb weight of 3,858 and a top speed of 153mph.
More to follow…