Mercedes-Benz Launches Armored Package for 2010 E-Class

If you have reasons to be concerned for the safety and well-being of yourself and your passengers or if you're basically neurotically paranoid and at the same time you take a liking to the new 2010 E-Class, then you may be interested in Mercedes-Benz's 'E-Guard' armored package. Available for an extra cost of €45,000 or $58,500 U.S. (that's the German list price excluding tax), the E-Guard package can be ordered on the E350, E500 and the diesel-powered E350 CDi.

Even though the E-Guard sedan look no different than any other 2010 E-Class, the vehicle has been fortified with a network of protective features of special steel, which are invisibly integrated beneath the otherwise identical body while the standard glass windows have been replaced with all-round polycarbonate glazing.

According to the German automaker, the new E-Guard meets the stringent requirements for High-Protection according to protection class VR4 (formerly B4) which means that the vehicle is able to withstand handgun bullets of up to .44 Magnum in calibre at random angles of fire. An underbody armor is also available upon request. With this feature, the entire underfloor area of the passenger cell is resistant to attack with a DM51 hand-grenade.

Other extras include an emergency alarm system that causes the headlamps to flash and sounds an alarm at the touch of a button in the event of a threat and an intercom system that allows communication between the protected passenger cell and the outside world.

Aside from the protective armor, the E-Guard saloon is equipped with a special Level II version of Merc's AIRMATIC air suspension as well as uprated brakes to cope with the increased weight caused by the protection features.