We’ve seen Mercedes and Mercedes-AMG models that have been given an armored treatment before—and, in the past eight or ten years, more and more frequently. In 2019 and 2020, a rash of ballistic-resistant Mercedes-AMG G63s appeared courtesy of Inkas, Brabus, and Mansory.

Mercedes has produced a few armored versions of luxury models in-house too, though. In 2016, the venerable firm took the wraps off a Mercedes-Maybach S600 sedan and an S600 Pullman too, distinguishing the iterations as ‘Guard’. This summer, the automaker released another in the series. This time, it’s the S 680 4MATIC that’s been given the ‘Guard’ treatment.

The $650,000 armored executive car packs the familiar top-tier 6.0L Merc V12 that, in this case, delivers up to 604 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque—a good thing too, as the car’s curb weight pushes 10,000 pounds. The reason: VR10 armoring, the highest level of protection for non-military, street-legal vehicles.

The armoring includes sandwich glass that’s over three inches thick; it’s been given a veneer of polycarbonate inside the cabin to prevent splintering. Special run-flat tires from Michelin can travel nearly 19 miles after being punctured, and a filtering system prevents poisoned air from entering the cabin.