Ready for a battleground: The new Mercedes-Benz S 680 Guard 4MATIC protection vehicle

When Gerard Butler is protecting the US President in whichever city is due to fall next, he’s going to want to be sitting in the Mercedes-Benz S 680 Guard 4MATIC.

The new special edition S-Class, which comes with AWD for the first time, is designed to keep heads of state and business leaders safe, while still experiencing the luxury of Mercedes-Benz’s flagship model.

Featuring multi-layer ‘sandwich’ protection glass windows coated with polycarbonate to stop splintering, the unique S-Class meets the highest ballistic test level for civilian vehicles – and apparently is particularly resistant to explosions.

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Where the protective materials were previously integrated into the standard structure, this car has been developed with its own specific armoured bodyshell. Coated in an outer later of aluminium, you’d never be able to tell from the outside what lays underneath.

The suspension, engine and transmission have also been adapted to ensure handling which is virtually on a par with any other S-Class.

The interior space too benefits, as Mercedes claims the comfort largely corresponds with the normal long wheelbase S-Class.

The Guard comes in either four or five seat versions, and like its regular sibling, features active ambient lighting and a media display featuring OLED technology – though optional extras which contradict the protective purpose, such as a sliding sunroof, are not available.

There is also a lot of smarts hiding away in the hydraulically (instead of electrically) operated window lifters. Even if power fails, they can still be closed in the event of an attempted attack.

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Other special equipment designed specifically for the S 680 Guard 4MATIC includes; a fire extinguishing system, an emergency fresh air system which protects occupants from penetrating smoke or irritant gases, a siren, flashing lights and radios, as well as a panic alarm system.

The Michelin Pax run-flat tyres are fitted as standard and even when defective, can last up to 30 kilometres – offering plenty of time to get out of danger zones.

The certification by Beschussamt Ulm (Germany’s ballistic testing authority) was carried out for the first time using so-called biofidelic dummies. With bone and soft tissue-like constructions, they imitate the human body particularly realistically.

The new specialised Merc not only meets the testing requirements of the highest civilian protection class for bullet-resistant and explosive resistant vehicles – which need to be able to withstand fire from an assault rifle using armour-piercing ammunition – it also achieved top scores in all tests.

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The S 680 Guard is powered by the familiar V12 (M279) engine making 450kW/830Nm, while the exhaust gas turbochargers, exhaust manifold and air ducting have all been adapted to suit this special variant.

Also new is a closed-loop petrol-engine particulate filter. According to the German carmaker, the most important features of the engine include; an all-aluminium crankcase, a one-piece chain drive, a forged crankshaft made of high-quality quenched and tempered steel, forged pistons and a multi-spark ignition system with twelve double ignition coils.

The standard torque distribution for this model is 31 per cent to the front axle and 69 per cent to the rear. Among other things, the all-wheel drive was adapted to suit the higher vehicle weight of the Guard with stronger side shafts. Speaking of weight, it brings the rated fuel economy up to a thirsty 19.5L/100km.

Priced from €457,100 (AU$731,348) before on-roads, it will celebrate its world premiere at the IAA in Munich later this month.

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This isn't the first armoured car to come out of Stuttgart, Mercedes-Benz has been building special protection vehicles since 1928. It started with the Nürburg 460 model, when Daimler-Benz became the first company to begin factory-fitting saloons with special protective features to shield the occupants from gunshots and explosives.

Mercedes-Benz also developed specially protected variants of subsequent luxury-class and prestige vehicles such as the "Grand Mercedes" 770 and the 500 model. The Japanese Emperor Hirohito personally chose an armoured "Grand Mercedes" as a befitting vehicle for his own use in 1935.

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Many politicians and heads of state followed the emperor's example, and from 1965 onwards, the company offered numerous models with special protection.

In addition to the Mercedes-Benz 600, offered as a Saloon and Pullman Saloon, these included V8 models of the S-Class in the 1970s and 1980s – such as the 280 SEL 3.5, the 350 SE/SEL and 450 SE/SEL as well as the 380 SE/SEL to 560 SEL.

In 2016, the company presented the Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Guard, the first model to meet the highest level of protection for civilian vehicles with resistance class VR10.