Got enemies? Mercedes’ grenade-proof S600 Guard may be the safest ride to work

By Stephen Edelstein August 4, 2014

Mercedes S600 Guard — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sporting everything from sophisticated adjustable suspension to a perfume dispenser, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the most well-equipped cars on the market. Now, Mercedes is adding another notable feature: armor.

According to the blog Mercedes-Benz Passion, the German carmaker has commenced production of the S-Class Guard, a version of its flagship luxury car for people who have to dodge bullets on their morning commute.

Manufactured in Sindelfingen, Germany, alongside other armored Mercedes models, the S-Class Guard can reportedly withstand direct hits from military-grade firearms, as well as shrapnel from hand grenades.

To provide that kind of protection, the Guard gets a windshield that’s 3.9 inches thick, and the passenger cell is surrounded in 1.9-inch thick steel plate.

All of that protection adds a lot of weight, so it’s probably good that Mercedes only offers the Guard in S600 form, with a 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 under the hood.

Mercedes didn’t specify any upgrades, so the world’s dictators will have to make do with 523 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque. The stock vehicle’s 0 to 62 mph time of 4.6 seconds may be blunted a bit by the added weight.

Official pricing hasn’t been released, but the S-Class Guard could reportedly cost up to $435,000, compared to around $166,900 for a stock S600.

While a heavily-armored Mercedes S-Class may seem like an unusual car, it won’t be alone in catering to heads of state and rich doomsday preppers.

There’s also the 2015 Audi A8 L Security and, for those looking to stand out, an armored Mercedes G63 AMG stretch limo offered by Canadian company INKAS.

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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