When the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard arrives in the second half of 2017, the 6.5 meter long, 5.6-tonne limousine will offer a challenge to any Rolls-Royce or Bentley in terms of interior space, creature comforts and passenger safety – even from bombs and bullets. The vehicle provides rear face-to-face seating so that four passengers will be able conduct a moving meeting while sipping champagne from bespoke crystal glasses. Perhaps the bubbly might be a little inappropriate for some meetings but it is a good option to have, especially if you have just escaped an assassination attempt. 

And when the passengers are done conversing, the two seats in the third row are able to recline, similar to a business class flight, complete with adjustable calf rest for a well-needed rest.

As mentioned, since this car conforms to protection class VR9 and Directive ERV 2010, bombs and grenades shouldn’t disrupt anyone’s power nap.

Everything from the floor to the windows is reinforced to withstand bullets, shrapnel and explosive devices. The armor plating on the doors is so dense that Mercedes has had to fit motors to the hinges so that someone with regular human strength can open and close them easily without rupturing a muscle group. Take a look at the interior below and just imagine how heavy those doors must be. Also, if you’re a Mountain-size human, it looks like you might find the space challenging…

Interior

The reason the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard is able to offer such high levels of protection can be found in the reinforcing and other security elements that are integrated directly into the car’s basic structure, rather than added later as happens when people customize their vehicles after purchase. This approach also means that although the vehicle is considerably heavier than a ‘stock’ Pullman (the S 600 Pullman is Mercedes’ current absolute flagship), it should still behave like a car, not a tank, on the open road. Of course, that means the car is still a pleasant ride for passenger but it does provide some pleasures for the driver too.

The V12 bi-turbo engine has been tuned for power over speed. There’s 530hp on tap but a huge 830Nm of torque available at even low revs, so it will always be able to pull away. And though Mercedes has electronically limited the top speed to reduce the severity of a potential collision, it will still hit 100mph (160km/h). Bear in mind this is a 12,000-pound machine so just getting it to 160km/h is herculean. 

“Besides providing spacious seating in first-class comfort for high-ranking passengers, the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is of course the embodiment of exclusivity at its highest level,” said Ola Källenius, Mercedes-Benz Cars head of sales and marketing. “One can sense the significance and greatness of it in every detail.”

Prices for the Pullman Guard will begin at €1.4 million.