High-security Benz revives Pullman name

MERCEDES-BENZ has exhumed one of its most evocative names for a new armoured Guard model.

The S600 Pullman Guard aims to provide protection for government leaders, captains of industry, royalty, rock stars, movie stars or those inflicted with excessive wealth or paranoia against attack – and it is an area where Mercedes-Benz has been in business since 1928.

Like the stately old 600 Pullman grand limousines of the 1960s and ‘70s, the new car is considerably longer than the model that spawned it at 6356mm, with the 4315mm wheelbase being some 1150mm greater than the standard S-class.

Under the bonnet is a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V12 petrol engine delivering 380kW of power and 830Nm of torque.

Besides having beefed-up suspension and brakes in order to cope with the highly engineered body structure, the roof is higher for easier entry and egress and provides extra headroom for the rear section, which has two pairs of seats facing each other for conferencing arrangements.

A partition separates the passengers from the front compartment.

Mercedes says the S600 Pullman Guard offers Highest Protection status, which means it has been engineered to resistance level B6/B7, as tested and certified by state-approved organisations, and also meets additional requirements which go beyond those laid down in the standard but which are tested by public and independent organisations.

Terrorist-resistant, the car’s armour resists military-standard small-arms projectiles and provides protection against fragments from hand grenades and other explosive charges. The fact that the protective elements are fully integrated into the bodyshell in a dedicated production process rather than retrofitted creates a coat of armour, according to Mercedes.

Other protection features include run-flat tyres, a self-sealing fuel tank and a fire-extinguishing system.

Mercedes has no plans to offer this car in Australia.

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