BERLIN: While politicians wrangle over who will succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor following last month's elections, one thing is certain: Whoever gets the job is set to use a brand-new armoured Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine.
The bulletproof, bombproof and flat tyre-proof sedan is expected to serve as personal transport for either the SPD's Olaf Scholz or CDU leader Armin Laschet, both of whom are vying to lead the next coalition government.
Both Audi and BMW offer armoured versions of their top saloons, but government officials here are expected to return to Mercedes-Benz model used by Merkel, with her successor to get the recently announced Mercedes-Benz S-Class S680 Guard 4Matic.
With a level of security that Mercedes says is beyond that of "the Beast" used to chauffeur US presidents, their armoured S-Class offers VPAM VR10 certification - the highest level of ballistic protection for a civilian vehicle.
The bodywork can withstand all manner of gunshots and explosions, including armour-piercing bullets. The Guard can also make a fast getaway even if its heavy duty Michelin tyres are shot to pieces since they will run flat for 30km.
The windows of this car are almost 10cm thick and the Guard comes with its own oxygen supply and automatic fire extinguisher system on board. The features push the weight of the car to a hefty 4.2 metric tons which means the chauffeur needs a truck licence to drive it.
The combination of luxury and security also costs €547,400 (RM2.7mil) or three times as much as a regular S-Class limo.
Performance comes from a Maybach-sourced V12 engine with a massive 612hp on tap. Top speed is limited electronically to 190kph.
The Guard may be the last petrol-powered bombproof limousine for the German chancellor since the three-pointed star is mulling an armoured version of its new EQS electric saloon, said protection division head Andreas Zygan.
