Mercedes-Benz today launched its luxury limousine S-Guard, which will also be the most expensive car in the country to-date with a price tag of around Rs 6 crore (ex-showroom). The new car, built on the platform of the S 600, surpasses the Maybach, also from Mercedes-Benz’s stable, which comes at a price starting from Rs 5.5 crore. For its price, S-Guard offers special protective features — ability to withstand ballistic and firearms attack, and is fitted with a 12 cylinder 5.5 cc petrol engine.
"This car is basically targeted at corporate and industry leaders, government officials and celebrities. We want to tap the growing market for armoured and protective vehicles in India," Mercedes-Benz India member of the Board of Management Suhas Kadlaskar told reporters here.
The company is promoting the car as a total "mobile security concept" and it is fitted with armoured shielding equipped to withstand high intensity blasts (in technical parlance – B6 & B7 range).
The S-Guard will come as completely built unit (CBU) from the company’s plant in Germany.
Asked about the sales target for the S-Guard, Kadlaskar said: "Rather than figures, we want to provide quality security to our customers." The S-Guard can withstand blast from three hand grenades at a single time, with a special fire extinguisher fitted at the car’s bottom to deal with fire. The car’s fuel tank, built with special elements, can self-seal within seconds of being hit by bullets or lethal arms.
With a torque of 830 nm (Newton Metre) and a top speed of 210 km per hour, it can operate on flat tyres, and has infra-red head-lamps, infra-red camera to pick up reflected vision and night view assist systems.