The Mercedes E Guard is the latest addition to the Mercedes’ special protection vehicle series.

Though not as armored and as powerful as its bigger brother, the S 600, the E Guards’ VR4 (formerly B4) level armor is capable of stopping 9mm, .357, and .44 Magnum rounds , 12 gauge shotgun slugs and hand grenade shrapnel.

The intended clientele are wealthy businessmen and celebrities who may have to fend off the occasional mugger, carjacker and/or overzealous paparazzi.

The new E Guard was intentionally designed to look almost exactly like its standard non-armored sibling so as not to give the bad guys a chance to plot against you.

Weighing in at a hefty 4717lbs, the E Guard is 860lbs heavier than the unarmored version.

To cope with the additional weight of the protection features, the suspension and brake system had to be redesigned.

The E Guard now comes with a special level II AIRMATIC air suspension system for the front axle and a multi-link independent suspension, anti-squat and anti-dive, stabilizer for the rear.

17 inch wheels with run flat tires are also standard. Electronic control and restraint systems designed to assist the driver in critical situations have also been recalibrated.

Aside from the above, the E Guard can also boast of hitech systems:

• Adaptive Brake – Replaced the reportedly unreliable SBC (Sensotronic Brake Control) system.

• Direct Control – Brings more driving comfort, accurate and easy steering manipulation.

• Intelligent Light System – The Intelligent Light System adapts itself to the weather and driving conditions and increases the visibility by up to 50 meters.

• NECK-PRO head restraints – This systems improves safety after a rear-end collision by moving the latter forward by 4 centimeters and 3 centimeters upwards.

• PRE-SAFE – The preventive emergency system called PRE-SAFE cooperates with the Brake Assist PLUS in order to warn the driver if the distance between him and a car in front gets critical.

This is possible thanks to radars installed on the front of the car.

The PRE-SAFE system also calculates the most effective braking, so even if the driver jams on the brakes, the car automatically uses as much brake power as required for safe deceleration.

]If a crash is inevitable, the PRE-SAFE system tightens the seat belts, automatically closes windows, and the seats’ positions are adjusted in order to minimize the effect of the crash.