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Price |
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Production |
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Engine |
5.5
liter V12 |
Weight |
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Aspiration |
twin
turochargers |
Torque |
612
lb-ft |
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HP |
517
hp |
HP/Weight |
-- |
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HP/Liter |
94
hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
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0-62 mph |
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Top Speed |
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(from Daimler Press
Release) The Mercedes-Benz special-protection unit marks its
80th anniversary with the launch of the new S 600 Pullman Guard
state limousine
Mercedes-Benz is proud
to present a prestigious new luxury limousine for use by government
leaders, captains of industry and royalty – the S 600 Pullman Guard
with integrated Highest Protection. The latest in a long and unique
tradition of large, armoured, prestige limousines from the world's
oldest automaker, this model also marks a special anniversary for
the Stuttgart-based firm: 80 years of manufacturing vehicles with
factory-integrated special protection.
The very first
Mercedes-Benz car to be built with factory-integrated special
protection was a Pullman limousine version of the "Nürburg" 460
(W08) series which was introduced in 1928. At the beginning of the
1930s, this was followed by the 770 (W07) "Grand Mercedes" (which
provided protection befitting the status of Japanese Emperor
Hirohito, to name but one prominent user) as well as by the
special-protection variants of the 500 (W08) and 770 (W 150) model
series. In the 1960s, the legendary Mercedes-Benz 600 took on the
mantle of state limousine for a period of almost thirty years which
saw it serve as an official vehicle not only for the German
government, but also for many other countries' leaders and ruling
houses. Further special-protection Pullman versions of the
Mercedes-Benz S-Guard followed their distinguished predecessors –
the very latest being the new S 600 Pullman Guard.
Like the famously
luxurious and spacious open-plan Pullman railway coaches after which
it is named, the new S 600 Pullman Guard treats its occupants to a
travelling environment characterised by generous accommodation and
the highest comfort. The vehicle owes its remarkably spacious
interior to its 4315-millimetre wheelbase (115 centimetres longer
than that of the long version of the special-protection S-Class).
Indeed, with an overall length of 6356 millimetres, the S 600
Pullman Guard is a vehicle of truly majestic proportions which
offers its passengers not only a maximum of comfort, but also a
superbly appointed setting for discreet meetings, equipped, of
course, with all the key communications and entertainment systems.
This ensures they are always able to remain fully in touch with the
rest of the world while enjoying the luxury and comfort of their own
very special place in it.
Developed as a new vehicle on the
basis of the S 600
The technical basis for
the new Pullman limousine is provided by the S 600 Guard, the top of
the Mercedes-Benz Guard range. It is powered by a superbly smooth
twelve-cylinder biturbo engine with a displacement of 5513 cubic
centimetres and an output of 380 kW/517 hp with an impressive 830 Nm
of torque.
The suspension and basic
vehicle structure have been modified as it would be impossible to
guarantee the long-term overall stability of the vehicle with its
extra-long wheelbase if the lengthening process consisted of simply
inserting an additional body section. The modifications also provide
a solid foundation for the integration of the heavy
special-protection elements. Furthermore, the new state limousine is
equipped with a higher rear roof for easier access and greater
headroom. Four passengers can be accommodated in the rear
compartment behind the partition — in comfortable seats whose
face-to-face arrangement recalls the great Pullman tradition.
Integrated special protection for
outstanding safety
What's more, the new
Mercedes-Benz S 600 Pullman Guard offers its demanding passengers
extremely effective protection from terrorist attacks. Its Highest
Protection status means that 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. Its armour resists military-standard small-arms
projectiles and provides protection against fragments from hand
grenades and other explosive charges. Additional safety features
include run-flat tyres, a self-sealing fuel tank and a
fire-extinguishing system.
In order to ensure that
the vehicle offers outstanding protection, specialists with many
years of experience in this field apply the principle of integrated
special protection to the Pullman limousine. In effect this means
that, rather than retro-fitting the protective elements in the
doors, rear wall, side panels, roof lining and firewall etc. of an
already finished vehicle, they fully integrate them into the
bodyshell in a dedicated production process. This effectively
creates a coat of armour around the entire passenger cell. Even the
roof frame struts, door locks, door gaps, exterior mirror mountings
and other components are incorporated into this security concept.
The resulting vehicle offers hallmark Mercedes-Benz build quality
combined with comprehensive Highest Protection characteristics, even
in those areas where retrofitting would be all but impossible.
A further advantage of
integrated special protection is that the protective features
actually reinforce the body structure rather than exerting extra
strain. In addi-tion, Mercedes-Benz' integrated design approach
means that any body-structure reinforcements required due to the
weight of the protective elements can be integrated right from the
very start. The result is extraordinary longevity and the same
exceptional quality all round that distinguishes Mercedes-Benz
standard-production models.
All Mercedes-Benz Guard
models display the same outstanding ride comfort and effortlessly
superior handling as their series-production counterparts.
Further-more, generously dimensioned suspension components and
brakes ensure that their handling qualities are almost identical to
those of the standard-production models, thus giving the driver an
optimal driving feel with high dynamic reserves at all times. The
chassis is also designed to provide hallmark Mercedes ride comfort
despite the extra weight.
The basis for this is
the long-standing, continuous and close cooperation with nationally
and internationally recognised security authorities. For decades,
this has ensured that the Mercedes specialists have been able to
continuously increase their expertise in the fields of development
and manufacturing while also applying their vast experience in
vehicle protection technology and ballistics to meet the highest
standards.
Thanks to the seamless
integration of the special protection features, the paint quality
and corrosion protection match the standards of Mercedes-Benz
series-production vehicles. And, like all other Guard models, the
Pullman limousines can be serviced in any Mercedes-Benz service
outlet anywhere in the world – another important factor which
ensures easy access to comprehensive service of the highest
standard.
80 years of Guard –
factory-integrated special protection
As the inventor of the
motor car, the world's oldest automaker has always felt a special
obligation to drive forward the development of automotive technology
at the highest level and to keep on setting new standards for the
industry. This demanding objective which Mercedes-Benz has set
itself also applies to its special-protection vehicles, as is
demonstrated by the Stuttgart-based premium brand's unique track
record in this field. As early as 1928, with a vehicle based on the
Nürburg 460 model, Daimler-Benz became the first company to
factory-fit vehicles with special protective elements design to
provide the occupants with effective protection from attack with
firearms and explosives. This was the start of eight decades of
extensive materials testing and focused development, during much of
which Mercedes-Benz enjoyed a unique position in the field of
special-protection vehicles.
The special-protection
version of the Mercedes-Benz "Nürburg" 460 model was followed in the
1930s and 1940s by armoured variants of the 770 "Grand Mercedes" as
well as the 500 and 540 K models. In September 1963, Mercedes-Benz
presented a new, exclusive prestige vehicle – the legendary 600
model – to meet the requirements of the most demanding customers.
Shortly after the launch, the German government approached
Daimler-Benz with a request for an armoured version for state
visitors. For the engineering team in Stuttgart, this marked the
beginning of a new era chara-cterised by a new set of challenges –
not least, how to reconcile the requirements of a special-protection
vehicle with a self-supporting body structure which had by now
become the industry norm. With no other German manufacturer at the
time able to offer factory-built armoured passenger cars and
Mercedes-Benz limou-sines being held in high esteem by many
governments around the world, a close working relationship developed
between Daimler-Benz and the German authorities. In the course of
this cooperation, the Stuttgart-based automaker came up with many
new technical solutions and concepts. Indeed, this intensive cooper-ation
formed the basis for the current European standards which define the
different resistance levels.
In 1970, when there was
suddenly great demand for special-protection vehicles following
attacks on diplomats in Latin America, Daimler-Benz rose to the
occasion with armoured versions of the 280 SEL 3.5 model. Demand
grew once again during the 1970s with the attacks by the RAF
terrorist group. Mercedes-Benz therefore built special-protection
variants of the eight-cylinder 350 SE, 350 SEL, 450 SE and 450 SEL
models which it supplied to a select group of customers, including
state bodies and governments in Europe and beyond.
All subsequent
generations of the S-Class have been available in the form of
special-protection variants. This was the case with the 126 model
series as well as the 140, 220 and the current 221 model series. In
addition to its S-Guard line-up, Mercedes-Benz today also offers
E-Guard and G-Guard special-protection vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz offers High
Protection and Highest Protection
Mercedes-Benz uses this
know-how acquired over many years to provide answers to different
risk scenarios all over the world, offering Mercedes-Benz Guard
models with various resistance levels in accordance with the
European standard.
High-Protection
vehicles, engineered to the European B4 resistance level, resist
large-calibre revolver ammunition and offer particularly good
protection against the increasing threat of drug-related and
violent street crime.
Highest-Protection vehicles, engineered to resistance
level B6/B7, provide effective protection against the threat
posed by terrorist attacks. Their armour is designed to resist
rifle-launched projectiles from military weapons which have a
velocity almost twice that of bullets fired from a revolver.
They also offer resistance to shrapnel from hand grenades and
explosive charges.
