Some say the Mercedes S-Class is the best luxury sedan money can buy. Others would argue that the title goes to the Audi A8 or the BMW 7 Series, and no matter where you stand on that, it's hard to ignore the coolness of the S-Class, especially when it comes to the ultra-luxurious Maybachs that rival the likes of the Bentley Flying Spur and the Rolls-Royce Ghost.
But this is not a Maybach nor an AMG, and it still costs as much as a luxury home pretty much anywhere you could think of, bar a few places, obviously. You are looking at a W223, which places it in the seventh and latest generation S-Class family. It is a brand-new ride with significant upgrades, and we're not talking about the kind of stuff that Mansory would add. It's not a sleeper either, as it remains the same comfortable large sedan that we know. Only this one has the ability to save the lives of its occupants.
You can probably tell by now what we mean, don't you? If you said ballistic protection, then you are right. This specific example has ultra-thick windows all around made of several layers, armoring in the doors that sport reinforced hinges to cope with the added weight. According to the ad, which we will get to in just a few moments, this particular Mercedes-Benz S-Class features VR10 protection.
This means it can withstand multiple shots fired from machine guns like the famous Kalashnikov. It can also withstand rounds fired from sniper rifles, and it laughs in the face or armor-piercing bullets, too. Handgrenades won't pose a threat to those inside either. And if toxic gas is released near the car, then the emergency fresh air system will certainly come in handy. It also features a fire extinguishing system, a panic alarm, and probably different tires that can ensure a quick getaway if things go south all of a sudden.
Photo: Hollmann
The getaway is also ensured by the ultra-punchy motor that lies under the classy hood. It is a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12, which develops 603 brake horsepower in this model. It translates to 612 metric horses or 450 kilowatts, and it steams out 612 pound-feet of torque or 830 Nm. The normal S 680 4Matic takes a very respectable 4.5 seconds to sprint to 62 mph (100 kph) and has a top speed of 155 mph (250 kph). However, you can tell that the Guard, aka the armored variant, is way slower than that. Due to the added potentially life-saving weight, the three-pointed star brand couldn't be bothered with releasing the sprint time, but they say that it can do 130 mph flat-out, or 210 kph.
Dressed in a black tux and featuring the usual chrome trim and a normal set of 19-inch wheels, the Mercedes-Benz S 680 4Matic Guard VR10 in question features a black leather interior that is equipped with all the bells and whistles one might expect from such a ride. From leather upholstery and wooden trim to the premium sound system by Burmester, massaging seats with heating and ventilation, extendable cushions at the rear, an entertainment system, a 360-degree camera system, automatic electric blinds, multi-color ambient lighting, a wireless charging pad, and many others that Hollmann International detailed in the ad that you can access here.
But don't go clicking that link yet, as we still haven't told you how much this special S-Class costs. The asking price is way beyond any mortal's budget, as it stands in the seven-digit zone. The listing reveals that the vendor is willing to let it go in exchange for €1,059,100, which equals $1,150,998 at the current exchange rates. A quick look on Mercedes' US website reveals that you can get no fewer than ten brand-new S-Class cars for that kind of money or over five fresh-off-the-lot Mercedes-Maybach S-Class rides. The former has an MSRP of $114,500, and the latter can be ordered from $193,400 before destination, handling, options, and dealer fees. A new Maybach GLS is a bit more affordable at $170,000, and for the Mercedes-AMG G 63, you will have to cough out at least $179,000.
According to the listing, you are looking at a brand-new Mercedes-Benz S 680 4Matic Guard VR10, with only the delivery miles under its belt and the stock firepower. It is said to return the equivalent of 11.8 US mpg or 20 l/100 km, but you know that anyone in the market for an armored car that costs as much as FIVE brand-new luxury sedans that bear Maybach's signature won't care at all about the fuel consumption, right? And while you may argue that it is simply too expensive, then it is obviously not the kind of ride that targets you. On a final note, we've got to admit that it looks like the king of cars Barrack Obama would be chauffeured in, doesn't it?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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