mercedes s-guard launched in india - press release

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Press Release 21 st 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

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Page 1: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

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

Page 2: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

• 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

Page 3: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

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

Page 4: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

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

Page 5: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

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

Page 6: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

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

Page 7: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

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

Page 8: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

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

Page 9: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

• 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).

Page 10: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

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

Page 11: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

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

Page 12: Mercedes S-Guard launched in India - Press Release

‘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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