All-new Mercedes-Benz S680 Guard with V12 unveiled

In the interest of high-ranking officials, politicians, heads of states and celebrities, for whom safety is as important as luxury, Mercedes-Benz have introduced the new S-Class S680 Guard luxury sedan. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S680 Guard 4Matic, as the name suggests, is an armoured version of the German carmaker’s full-size luxury sedan. The S-Class guard is one of the popular models globally while the outgoing model is used in India by multiple people of importance and celebrities as well.

• Features VPAM VR10 certification of protection
• Takes 51 days to build a single unit 
• Powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 engine 

Mercedes-Benz S680 Guard – what is it?

Well, this is no ordinary S-Class as the S680 Guard has been engineered to receive VPAM VR10 certification, which is the highest level of ballistic protection for a civilian vehicle. What this means is that the S680 Guard is capable of withstanding gunshots and even explosions.

Now the S680 Guard does not just come with protective materials integrated into a regular S-Class. Instead, engineers have completely revamped the entire bodywork of the sedan to offer greater resistance than previous versions of S-Class Guard models.

For instance, the polycarbonate windows are as thick as 10 centimetres and feature multi-layered glass. The sedan rides on Michelin PAX run-flat tires that can go a distance of up to 30km even after a puncture. The S680 Guard also features hydraulic windows, which means they’ll still work even after the on-board electronics have failed in the event of an attack.

For the worst of scenarios, the S680 Guard even comes with a built-in oxygen tank and a fire extinguisher. Of course, all this is in addition to the opulence already offered by the regular S-Class. The S680 Guard continues with the plethora of digital screens and rich, sumptuous leather and wood trim all around. It can be specced in both four- or five-seater configurations. 

The S680 Guard is based on the long wheelbase version of the S-Class and with all its added armouring, it tips the scale at a whopping a 4,200kg, which is nearly twice as that of a standard S-Class. Mercedes-Benz has even had to recalibrate the gearbox and the steering to better handle the added weight.

Mercedes-Benz S680 Guard: what’s under the hood?

The S680 Guard is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine that produces 604hp and 830Nm of torque. The S680 Guard is the only other model in the S-Class line-up to be offered with the V12 engine apart from the Maybach S-Class. Interestingly, the engine on the Maybach S-Class produces slightly more torque at 900Nm. The engine comes mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels via Mercedes’ 4Matic system. The S680 Guard has its top-speed electronically limited to 190kph.

Mercedes-Benz in India

Very recently, Mercedes-Benz launched the non-armoured version of the new-gen S-Class in India, priced from Rs 2.17 crore (ex-showroom). However, there’s no word on whether Mercedes will bring the Guard version to India, although, the new Maybach could make it to our shores later this year. The German carmaker recently also launched two hot new AMGs – the AMG E63 S and AMG E53 – expanding the E-Class line-up in India.

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