Mercedes-Benz released a facelift of its flagship S-Class this year and unveiled The New Mercedes-Benz S 680 Guard 4MATIC based on it. Guard, which encompasses the entire lineup of the brand's special protection vehicles, is the top civilian armored car that blocks not only bullets and explosives but also toxic gas. We dissect the S-Class Guard, the "moving fortress" chosen by royalty, presidents and conglomerate leaders around the world.
◇ Impossible to distinguish from a standard S-Class in appearance… Korea's president also rides it
Benz usually builds the Guard on the S-Class or the Maybach S-Class Pullman, the brand's top-tier lineup. Rather than retrofitting armor plates onto a standard model, the armor structure is integrated from the design stage.
The exterior and interior design are exactly the same as a regular vehicle. Sascha Zenitz, in charge of marketing and communications for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard, said, "The best protection is to be undercover, so that people do not realize it is an armored car," adding, "It needs to be as ordinary and inconspicuous as possible."
Since first applying armored design in 1928 at the request of a customer to the eight-cylinder Nürburg 460, Benz has been responsible for protecting major figures worldwide. The Nürburg 460 Guard was used by Pope Pius XI. Leaders of Russia and India, who are constantly under terror threats, as well as Kim Jong-un, also ride the Maybach S Pullman Guard.
The South Korean president's state vehicle is also a Benz Guard. President Lee Jae-myung used the Maybach S 600 Pullman Guard for his first schedule on June 4 after being elected last year.
◇ "The safest among civilian models"… even bullet hits leave only blemishes
The S-Class Guard is considered the best special protection vehicle for civilians currently available. It earned the highest VR10 certification in tests by the Association of Test Laboratories for Bullet Resistant Materials and Constructions (VPAM) conducted at the Ulm National Ballistics Testing Agency in Germany. It can protect occupants even if grenades and the like explode on the roof, floor, or sides. Zenitz said, "Benz is the only one in the world to receive VR10 certification," adding, "Excluding military models, it is the safest among civilian cars." Thanks to various high-strength materials and functions, it weighs 4.5 tons—more than twice that of a standard S-Class.
The S-Class Guard we saw in person was outfitted with invisible, powerful shields throughout the vehicle. First, the windows were well over 10 cm thick. Tap a standard S-Class window and it makes a clear, light sound. But the Guard's glass made a very dull sound, as if it were solid inside. The glass itself is thick, but the effect also comes from transparent foil material layered between panes. This forces a bullet to pass through multiple layers, ultimately slowing it down.
On top of that, polycarbonate, known for its high strength and heat resistance, is added. Polycarbonate has the property of expanding at the impact point. As the material swells, it blocks the bullet from entering the cabin. A hydraulic window lifter emergency function is also installed so the windows can be opened and closed even if the vehicle loses power.
Areas other than the windows are made of high-strength special steel, shrugging off most attacks. You can tell by the door thickness alone—about the width of three adult women's palms stacked together. When fired upon with the same gun, a panel made by stacking 10 regular car doors is cleanly penetrated. Competitors' special protection vehicle doors, while somewhat better, still could not avoid penetration. In contrast, the S-Class Guard suffered only surface blemishes.
Because of the materials, each door weighs 250 kg. To make the doors easier to open and close, an electric door actuator is fitted. It also features an intelligent door hold function that lets you open and fix the door at the desired position even on a slope. An adult woman had no problem opening and closing the door, but it was inevitably much heavier than a standard S-Class door.
The tires come standard with Michelin PAX run-flat tires, which allow driving up to 30 km at 80 kph even with no air due to a puncture. Regular run-flat tires can also run when punctured, but handling control is difficult and the ride is harsh. PAX run-flat tires are a key component that preserves ride comfort even in extreme situations and escorts VIPs to a safe zone.
It takes powerful force to move such a 4.5-ton vehicle. The new S-Class Guard combines, for the first time, a 6.0L V12 engine with all-wheel drive—for optimal traction, driving safety and ride comfort. It produces up to 612 horsepower and can reach 210 kph. The interior is the same as a standard S-Class. Even in the rear seats, passengers can use the AI-based MBUX intelligent infotainment system, making it usable like a mobile business lounge.
◇ Price undisclosed… "If you want to buy, contact a dealer"
The price of the S-Class Guard is not disclosed. Depending on the operating environment and required protection functions, various options are added and the price soars sky-high. For example, to prepare for pushing through an area on fire, you need to add a fire suppression option. The vehicle floor can withstand up to 160 degrees, and if the temperature rises above that, sensors detect it and activate the fire suppression system. Those who must pass through areas filled with toxic gas from tear gas, etc., add an emergency air purification system. Such options start at tens of millions of won.
Zenitz said, "We carefully combine all options in consultation with the customer, and assemble them by hand on a dedicated line," adding, "Because it is custom-built with a minimum lead time of about six months after ordering, it is difficult to cite a specific price."
However, considering that the domestic price of the S 580 4MATIC starts at 258.6 million won, the Guard is estimated to easily exceed 1 billion won. If you choose the Guard model based on the Maybach S-Class Pullman, the base price alone is 900 million won, putting the final price in the multi-billion-won range. That is because it includes a V12 engine, nearly 2 tons of special steel and bulletproof glass, and various options. When Benz launched the S 680 Guard in 2021, it set a European starting price of $650,000 (about 950 million won).
Zenitz said, "We do not sell the Guard to just anyone," adding, "We may decline to sell in accordance with international standards." When Kim Jong-un's Maybach S-Class Pullman was revealed, Benz said, "We have no idea how that vehicle was brought into North Korea," making it clear it had not been sold directly.