Mercedes today launched the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard in India at a starting price of Rs 10.50 crore (ex showroom, Delhi).

An armoured version of the Mercedes-Maybach S600, the vehicle meets the requirements for VR10 protection rating according to Directive BRV 2009 (Bullet Resistant Vehicles) Version 2 - the highest for civilian vehicles - which specify that the bodywork and windows must be able to withstand hardened steel core bullets.

The carmaker had showcased a version of the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard certified with VR9 level ballistic protection, at the recently concluded 2016 Auto Expo in Delhi.

Moreover, the vehicle also has an ERV (Explosive Resistant Vehicles) 2010 rating. The requirements for the protection against side blasts are greater than before with the new ERV 2010 standard. Earlier, the requirement was to sustain a blast of 15 kg TNT from a distance of four metres but the new requirement stipulates the detonation of the same quantity of explosive from a distance of two meters. It makes a huge difference since the impact of the detonation increases with the reduction in distance.

Additional features over the regular car include a repositioned rear seat which enables passengers to sit further back in the vehicle. Moreover, the area between the car’s structure and the outer skin is made up of special integrated steel for enhanced protection. The windows get a polycarbonate coating on the inside and there is also under body armouring that protects against explosive devices set beneath the car.

Other options include a fresh air system which injects the cabin with fresh air to fend against a gas attack, a weapon safe that can be added to the boot, a panic alarm system, a fire extinguisher system with automatic activation and hydraulic side windows.

The fuel tank isn’t armored, but it is coated with a special material that closes any holes automatically if it is hit; the same material is used in Boeing AH-64 Apache tank attack helicopters.

Built at the Mercedes plant near Stuttgart in Germany, the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard is powered by the same 523bhp 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 engine as the regular vehicle, with 84.61kgm of torque on offer.

The Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard has been launched in India within 15 days of its international debut – making it the fastest ever introduction of a car from the carmaker's global portfolio.