What's special about PM Modi's Rs. 12 crore-worth armored car?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi now has the Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Guard as his official state car, according to a report by carandbike. The luxurious armored saloon is an upgrade from the Range Rover Vogue Sentinel High-Security Edition and Toyota Land Cruiser that he used until recently. The Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Guard is custom built and it is capable of withstanding blasts and bullets.
Why does it matter?
- Recently, when PM Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House, he was seen in the new Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Guard. The armored car was spotted again in his convoy recently, suggesting that his official vehicle has been upgraded.
- With VR10 level protection, the full-sized sedan is said to offer the highest level of armored protection available on a production car.
The car's body and windows are bulletproof
The Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Guard has heavy under-body armor and the body as well as the windows can survive bullets, even from an assault rifle like AK-47. It can also withstand a blast of 15kg TNT from a distance of just two meters and the fuel tank is coated with a special sealant that covers the holes after bullet shots to prevent fire.
It is powered by a twin-turbo V12 engine
The Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Guard is powered by a 6.0-liter, twin-turbo, V12 engine that produces 516hp of maximum power and a peak torque of 900Nm. The maximum speed is reportedly limited to 160km/h.
The cabin has an emergency fresh air system
The Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Guard makes no compromises on comfort level, offering luxurious upholstery, massage seats, and high-end connectivity features. It also gets multiple airbags, a fire extinguishing system, and an emergency fresh air system that provides separate air supply in case of a gas attack. The vehicle runs on special tires that can continue to function even if they get punctured.
The S 650 Guard costs around Rs. 12 crore
The Special Protection Group (SPG) is responsible for protecting the prime minister and it submits request for a new car after identifying security requirements and protection needs. The SPG usually orders two identical models and the second car is used as a decoy. As per the reports, each Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Guard costs about Rs. 12 crore.
