Mercedes-Benz Guard beat the bullet and more

Topping the Mercedes-Benz Guard range are two S-Class saloons. The Stuttgart-based car maker offers the S 500 V8 Saloon (long-wheelbase version) and the new top model, the twelve-cylinder S 600, with factory-integrated special-protection features rated to the European B4 (High-Protection) or B6/B7 (Highest-Protection) resistance levels.

Special protection version of the Maybach, E-Class and G-Class have also been developed.
S-Class and G-Class vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Guard can be seen on the Emirates Motor Company (EMC) stand at the four-day Safety and Security Show which opened in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (October 5).

"Mercedes-Benz Guard models are in service all over the world and in the Middle East and are universally renowned for their high standard of security, which has been achieved through many years of close co-operation with nationally and internationally recognised security authorities, said Richard Siemicki, General Manager, EMC. "This ensures that the Mercedes specialists are always fully briefed on the latest requirements and are able to consolidate their position at the leading edge of vehicle protection technology and ballistics."

Trust, dependability, quality and discretion are the key attributes in the sensitive field of special protection. Statesmen, diplomats and senior business figures all over the world appreciate being able to travel in vehicles which do not immediately betray their special status.

This is also the case, however, for customers in less prominent positions who are increasingly taking an interest in specially protected vehicles as rising crime levels brings home the growing importance of this vehicle category. Demand for special-protection vehicles is especially high in the Middle East and the countries of the former Soviet Union as well as in South and Central America and Western Europe.

Common to all Mercedes-Benz Guard vehicles is the philosophy of integrated special protection. This means that the protective features for the doors, rear wall, side panels, roof lining and firewall are not retrofitted to a finished vehicle but are instead integrated into the bodyshell on a dedicated production line.

The resulting vehicles offer characteristic Mercedes-Benz build quality combined with High or Highest Protection even in those areas where post-production access would be all but impossible. A further advantage is that the protective features do not put a strain on the basic vehicle but rather reinforce its structure.

Thanks to this approach, even the smallest details benefit from highly effective solutions. Mercedes-Benz Guard vehicles are thus distinguished by advanced technical measures which make it virtually impossible for projectiles to defeat the armour.

Potential weak points, such as at gaps in the body, at the doors or at the joins between metal and glass sections, are thoroughly protected through an ingenious system that prevents projectiles from penetrating. Mercedes-Benz Guard vehicles thus offer occupants seamless all-over protection.

For a high level of protection, the passenger cells of Mercedes-Benz Guard vehicles are surrounded by armour made from state-of-the-art materials such as glass/polycarbonate combinations and high-strength special steel (High Protection - resistance level B4)or special steel combined with hi-tech fibre elements (Highest Protection - resistance level B6/B7). The steel stops the bullets while extra hi-tech fibres provide additional splinter protection for the interior.

The Mercedes specialists at the Sindelfingen plant are continually testing new materials, new grades of steel and all vehicle components for their assault-worthiness in order to achieve the optimal capability at each resistance level.

As a consequence of this commitment to exploring the potential of new materials and technologies, Mercedes-Benz has been setting the standard for special-protection vehicles for decades. The aim of the experts is to reconcile the highest degree of protection with the lowest possible weight.

The integrated design approach also means that all reinforcements to the body structure required because of the weight of the protective elements can be incorporated from the start. These reinforcements include sturdier door hinges and window frames. The window frames support the heavy side windows which are coated on the inside with a tough polycarbonate layer, while the door hinges have to support doors whose weight is raised to as much as over 100 kg due to the special protection features.

In this way, the Mercedes-Benz protection specialists adapt the entire body structure to the increased weight, ensuring the same top-class quality as the conventional standard models from the Stuttgart-based brand.

The engineers also devote particular attention to the chassis: upgraded components and brakes ensure that the Mercedes-Benz Guard models have virtually identical handling to the standard models. The chassis is also designed to ensure that the characteristic Mercedes ride comfort is not impaired by the extra weight. The finieshed products meet the high standards of conventional Mercedes-Benz passenger cars thanks to the seamless integration of the special protection features.

Additional security features of the Mercedes-Benz Guard models include run-flat tyres and optional extras such as automatic fire extinguishers the Panic Alarm System.