mercedes s-guard launched in india - press release
TRANSCRIPT
Press Release
21st May,2015
Mercedes-Benz brings to India one of the ‘safest luxury spot on earth’: launches the invincible new S 600 Guard
• First of its kind vehicle which is comprehensively certificated for highest
ballistic protection in resistance class VR9 (according to BRV 2009)
• Mercedes-Benz S-Guard is the preferred vehicle for heads of state, high
ranking government officials and business tycoons globally and also in
India
• Outstanding strength and stability thanks to the specific reinforcement of
the base structure that is integrated into the body shell production stage
• The high level of comfort is maintained by sophisticated integration and
intelligent overlapping of all protective elements
• Superior performance: V12 petrol engine, generating 390 kW (530 hp),
830 Nm of torque and the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission results in
lower fuel consumption with impressive acceleration for a rapid escape
from the danger zone when under threat
• ‘World Luxury Car of the Year’ to one of the ‘Safest Luxury Spot on
Earth’: Mercedes-Benz launches the S 600 Guard less than 18 months
from the flagship sedan’s India debut
• Mercedes-Benz has already secured many pre-orders for the new S 600
Guard even before its India launch
• Mercedes-Benz India ‘Guard’ portfolio comprises the S 600 Guard, E-
Guard and the M-Guard
• Price starts at Rs. 8.9 crores onwards (ex-showroom Delhi)
New Delhi: Mercedes-Benz set a new benchmark in the highly exclusive armored
vehicles segment in India, by launching the new S 600 Guard. Using the latest
technology, Mercedes-Benz engineers have made the S-Class, the safest car on earth.
The Guard is certified for the highest ballistics protection class right now, called VR9.
With first-class comfort, an outstanding AIRMATIC suspension, powerful V12 engine,
intelligent driver assistance systems and unrestricted day-to-day suitability, the new
flagship Guard model sets an unmatched standard in this segment. The S600 Guard
was launched by Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz
India and Markus Rubenbauer, Head Guard Sales, at the Buddh International
Circuit.
With its generous spaciousness and comfort as well as its top-flight technology and
appointments, the new S 600 Guard is a worthy successor to the long line of cars from
Mercedes-Benz. With its Guard models, Mercedes-Benz has the world's widest range of
special protection vehicles available today. The Mercedes-Benz Guard range currently
has models from the S, E, M and G-Class, globally.
Eberhard Kern, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India stated,
“We are glad to introduce this ‘fortress on wheels’ for our exclusive set of high profile
Indian customers, who require the highest levels of protection when on the move, and
rely only on Mercedes-Benz special protection vehicles. With first-class comfort, an
outstanding AIRMATIC suspension, powerful V12 engine, intelligent driver assistance
systems and unrestricted day-to-day suitability, the new flagship Guard model sets an
unprecedented new standard in this segment. This is yet another instance where the
best of Mercedes-Benz’s enriched global portfolio is being offered for Indian customers.
With the launch of the new S 600 Guard, Mercedes-Benz India now provides a
formidable range of special protection vehicles comprising the E-Guard and M-Guard, for
the Indian market.”
Markus Rubenbauer, Head Guard Sales, commented, “At Mercedes-Benz, we
claim the "technological leadership" in the field of special protection vehicles. Our unique
wealth of experience spanning eight decades in the making of prestigious special-
protection cars resulted in the S 600 Guard. The S 600 Guard offers hallmark Mercedes-
Benz build quality combined with comprehensive highest protection characteristics. This
is the first vehicle in Germany to be offered with the highest class of ballistic protection
(VR9), which can withstand rifle fire from military weapons and protection from grenades
and explosive charges. We are very pleased to present this engineering marvel and
epitome of luxury for the Indian customers”.
No weak spots – integrated special protection
The armouring of the S 600 Guard follows the principle of integrated protection based on
many years of Mercedes-Benz experience in building special protection vehicles. The
major advantages are:
• Outstanding strength and stability thanks to specific reinforcement of the base
structure which is integrated into the bodyshell production stage.
• The high level of comfort is maintained by sophisticated integration and intelligent
overlapping of all protective elements.
At the bodyshell stage, protective components of special steel are integrated into the
cavities between the body structure and the outer skin. Special aramide and PE
components provide additional splinter protection. Intelligent overlapping systems at
particularly critical points ensure comprehensive ballistic protection.
The glass areas are an essential part of the protective concept. They are coated with
polycarbonate on the inside for splinter protection, and have outstanding visual
characteristics thanks to their laminated structure. Particular attention is devoted to the
protective performance of the glass areas, with an appropriate choice of materials and
thicknesses.
The interaction between all the components provides the occupants with a highly
effective protective space which not only includes ballistic protection, but also
comprehensive protection against explosive devices. The occupants are effectively
protected by the armouring if a splintering explosive charge is fired at close range on
either side.
With its sophisticated and strong protective system, the new S 600 Guard has
immediately met all the personal protection requirements of the relevant authorities in
Germany, and is the first vehicle to have been comprehensively certificated for highest
ballistic protection in resistance class VR9 (according to BRV 2009).
Discretion as a matter of course
Despite the extensive protective measures, the S 600 Guard is externally hardly
distinguishable from the standard model. Its exterior has the same emphatic lines that
already suggest power and dynamism when at standstill, the same striking design of the
LED High Performance headlamps and the same LED rear light clusters inset like
gemstones. As the S 600 Guard is hardly recognisable as an armoured saloon, it meets
a further important requirement for special protection vehicles: maximum discretion
thanks to unobtrusiveness.
Protection without compromises
The S 600 Guard has a generously spacious interior. Like the flagship S-Class model,
the S 600 Guard excels with exemplary headroom and elbow room in the rear, and is
also in a class by itself in this segment in terms of comfort dimensions such as entry
height and door apertures. In addition, for the first time and as the only car in this
segment, the new S 600 Guard is available both as a 4-seater and as a fully-fledged 5-
seater, and offers unrestricted day-to-day suitability by virtue of a 350-litre boot capacity
and high payload.
Thanks to the intelligently integrated armouring, the Guard version retains the first-class
ambience of the S-Class Saloon for its occupants, and meets the highest expectations
with regard to perceived quality, appointments and comfort. The comfort features of the
standard model, and especially its innovations, are also almost without exception
available for the S-Guard. These include:
• The Chauffeur package, which has a chauffeur position for the front passenger seat,
EASY ADJUST luxury head restraints for the driver and front passenger, folding and
removable on the front passenger side, and footrests electrically extendable on the
front passenger side
• The executive seat in the rear on the front passenger side has a leg rest.
• The Rear Seat Comfort package includes multi contour outer rear seats, seat heating
Plus and also the ENERGIZING massage function
• Optionally available First-Class rear suite with a continuous Business console
transforms the rear into a mobile office with two individual seats.
Twelve-cylinder power pack
The S 600 Guard delivers superior performance thanks to its V12 petrol engine, which
now generates 390 kW (530 hp) and therefore has even more pulling power than the
engine of the preceding model. Thanks to 830 Nm of torque and the 7G-TRONIC
automatic transmission, which is available with the V12 engine, the S-Guard has an
impressive acceleration for a rapid escape from the danger zone when under threat.
Highly efficient air suspension
The S 600 Guard offers its passengers outstanding ride comfort and excellent driving
dynamics to a high Mercedes standard. This is ensured by the AIRMATIC air suspension
with variable damper control, as well as reinforced, suspension components and adapted
control functions such as ESP® or ASR to cope with the increased vehicle weight. The air
springs at the front are reinforced, for example, and additional steel springs are used at
the rear axle.
The brakes of the S-Guard are considerably larger than those of the standard model, so
that the extra weight can be safely handled. Larger 6-piston brake callipers and
significantly larger brake discs are used at the front axle, for example. The rear brakes
are also of larger dimensions than on the standard model.
Standard equipment on the S 600 Guard includes Michelin PAX run-flat tyres with an
additional tyre pressure monitoring system which allows an escape from the danger zone
up to a distance of 30 km even with damaged tyres.
Intelligent assistance systems
The S 600 Guard is also equipped with the latest technical innovations that make the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class a shining example of passenger car development in general
and the world's best-selling luxury saloon. As part of Intelligent Drive, these features
include assistance systems which considerably enhance comfort and safety.
The following options are available:
• Night View Assist Plus
• LED Intelligent Light System
• 360° camera
Guard-specific equipment for more comfort and safety
In addition Mercedes-Benz offers further optional extras which were specifically
developed for the S-Guard. These include:
• Opaque roller blinds all-round in the rear
• Heated windscreen and side windows
• Easily operated panic alarm system
• Fire extinguisher system with automatic activation
• Emergency fresh air system protecting occupants from the ingress of smoke or
irritant gases
• Hydraulic power for the heavy side windows
• Special cooling compartment in the rear
As in the case of standard production models, the full manufacturer's warranty also
applies to the S 600 Guard and the other models in the Guard family. All the Mercedes-
Benz service outlets worldwide are also able to service, maintain or carry out any
necessary repairs for the Guard models.
The Guard family
The Mercedes-Benz Guard range globally, has models from the S, E, M and
G-Class. Mercedes-Benz offers the most extensive range of special protection vehicles,
with a total of nine models.
Mercedes-Benz E-Guard
The Mercedes-Benz E-Guard models are available in multiple engine variants globally.
With a six-cylinder diesel engine in the E 350 CDI Guard, a V6 petrol engine in the E 350
Guard and a 5.5.-litre V8 in the E 500 Guard, all E-Guard models provide high protection
in resistance class VR4 (according to BRV 2009).
Mercedes-Benz G 500 Guard
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is also available in a special-protection version globally.
The G 500 Guard is equipped with a 5.5-litre V8 engine and highest protection to VR6 or
VR7 (according to BRV 2009).
Mercedes-Benz M-Guard
The M-Guard is available as the ML 500 with a powerful V8 petrol engine. 4MATIC
permanent all-wheel drive is obligatory for these models, ensuring maximum traction and
enhanced handling stability. As a special protection vehicle, the M-Guard with its
integrated protective components meets all the requirements for resistance class VR6
(according to BRV 2009).
Further information: Protection classes
High-Protection vehicles engineered to the VR4 protection level resist large-calibre
revolver. Highest protection vehicles engineered to levels VR6/VR7/VR9 provide
effective protection against all the threats. Their armour is designed to resist rifle-fire
from military weapons, which has a velocity almost twice that of handgun bullets. They
also offer resistance to splinters from hand-grenades and explosive charges
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Media Contact: Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd.:
Shekhar Das Chowdhury | [email protected] |+91 98508 36477
Reuben George | [email protected] | +91 98239 69057
About Mercedes-Benz India:
Established in 1994, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd. pioneered the luxury car market in India and
boasts of more than 129 years of cutting edge innovation in the luxury automobile industry
globally. Set up in 2009, Mercedes-Benz India’s world class production facility is spread over 100
acres in Chakan near Pune. The production facility is among the fastest green-field operations
ever to be created and is rated among the top most CKD plants of Mercedes-Benz, globally. The
production facility carries an investment of INR 1000+ crores and has an installed production
capacity of 20,000 units annually, largest for any luxury car maker in India. Mercedes-Benz India
product portfolio comprises the locally produced S-Class, E-Class, C-Class sedans and the GL-
Class and the M-Class SUVs. Completely Built Imported cars portfolio include the A-Class, B-
Class, CLA-Class, GLA-Class, CLS-Class, SLK-Class, E-Class Cabriolet etc. The product
portfolio also comprises the iconic off-roader G 63 AMG as well as a wide range of other AMG
performance cars like the CLA 45 AMG, E 63 AMG, SLK 55 AMG, GL 63 AMG, ML 63 AMG and
the GLA 45 AMG.
Continuing its growth momentum into 2015, Mercedes-Benz India announced its philosophy for
the year 2015 as the year of ‘Live the Best’, which is based on its brand philosophy of ‘Best or
Nothing’. The growth strategy is built on 5 key initiatives with an aim to provide nothing but the
‘BEST’ to its customers, through BEST products, BEST operations, BEST touch points, BEST
customer experiences and BEST corporate citizenship. ‘Live The BEST' which is the new driving
philosophy for Mercedes-Benz India in 2015, aims to also achieve the objectives of growing a
profitable and sustainable business in India and to further extend its customer focused approach.
The company has already started the 2015 on a high with five key product launches, these being,
the CLA-Class, the C 220 CDI, the new B-Class, the E-Class Cabriolet and the CLS 250 CDI
along with new dealership inaugurations in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, and in Ghaziabad.
Mercedes-Benz also inaugurated its highly exclusive AMG Performance Centre, in Hyderabad
and Pune. There are five such high-end AMG Performance Centre in India, currently.
In Q1 2015 Mercedes-Benz also became the leading luxury car manufacturer in India by
registering a stellar 40% growth, selling 3566 units. Currently Mercedes-Benz India has 72 outlets
across 39 Indian cities including 3 standalone Mercedes-Benz Certified outlets, making it the
brand with the densest network presence in the luxury segment, in India. Mercedes-Benz for the
second consecutive year has emerged as the ‘most awarded luxury car brand’ in India. The brand
has won as many as 34 prestigious automotive awards conferred by different media houses
across India, the highest won by any luxury automotive brand in India. In the Economic Times’
Brand Equity ‘Most Exciting Brands’ survey, among youth, Mercedes-Benz emerged on top of the
‘Automotive four wheeler’ category and remained the topmost auto brand in the survey that
comprised 100 brands in India across categories.
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