The first production sedan with VR10 armor on the windows and bodywork, the S680 Guard 2027 hides a fortress under the luxury of Mercedes
The new Mercedes-Benz S680 Guard 2027 pushes the idea of discreet protection to the limit: an S-Class with military-grade armor that, at first glance, is confused with any luxury sedan of the brand. Unlike vehicles intended for the transport of heads of state, which usually display an imposing silhouette and apparent reinforcements, the model preserves the elegant and sober design of the line — a kind of “invisible fortress”.
The great trump card is its armor. The S680 Guard receives VR10 certification, the highest level available for civilian vehicles, and Mercedes-Benz claims to be the first series-production sedan to offer this degree of protection on both the windows and bodywork. The classification provides for resistance to shots from rifles with armor-piercing ammunition and explosives, such as grenades and improvised devices (IEDs). The armor is integrated into the car’s structure – and not just attached to the body – which, according to the manufacturer, increases the rigidity of the assembly under attack. The glasses, about 10 cm thick, combine layers of glass and polycarbonate.
Under the hood, the model maintains the 6.0 V12 biturbo, which delivers 612 hp and 85 kgfm of torque. The novelty is that, for the first time in a Guard, this power is distributed to all four wheels by the 4Matic system — a feature designed to ensure traction and agility in evasive maneuvers. The weight, however, takes its toll: with about 4.2 tons, the sedan has a top speed electronically limited to 190 km/h.
The list of defense equipment is extensive. There is an automatic fire extinguishing system, capable of putting out flames in the engine or under the vehicle, and a reserve of about 900 liters of air to isolate the cabin from smoke and toxic gases. The doors, which weigh hundreds of kilos each, open with assisted activation, and the hydraulically controlled windows continue to work even after an electrical failure. Michelin PAX tires allow you to run up to 30 km after full loss of pressure, and suspension and brakes have been recalibrated to support the extra load.
Even without reaching the level of armor of “The Beast” — the U.S. presidential limousine, built on a pickup truck platform and with a body that imitates a Cadillac — the S680 Guard presents itself as the most sophisticated alternative on the market for those looking for maximum security without giving up luxury. For officials, Mercedes-Benz also offers items such as flagpoles on the fenders, as well as driver training and global technical support.
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