Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept presents the latest technology for Armored Vehicles

Known for its production of armored cars, Mercedes Benz and its security division have created new standards and index of perfection in every new armored car that they have manufactured for the past 80 years. The continuous task has been further proven by their new concept vehicle that they revealed recently which further nudges the bar of vehicle protection standards up a few notches.

The car named 2010 Mercedes Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X was formally unveiled at the 2010 edition of the EUROSATORY defense industry trade show. The car is a representation of the most modern and technologically advanced armored patrol vehicle of its times.

The present LAPV6.X is a further improvement of the previous model the LAPV5.4 and has far better agility than its kin was capable of. There is also higher protection offered and a greater payload capacity to the vehicle. Weight of the vehicle has been reduced in order to achieve the improved agility; however this has not been done at the cost of the protection that the vehicle can offer to its occupants or the carrying capacity of the vehicle.

The power horse installed is a 6.X diesel engine of high torque rating and is capable of propelling the car to a top speed of 95 mph. And the best thing is, it can do so while carrying a total weight of 3,000 pounds. The body is a monocoque structure made of steel which provides for ballistic protection and measures a quite compact 9.3 feet. There is improved agility as mentioned before which gives it very impressive angle of approach / departure of 50 degree / 45 degrees  respectively which, in a real world scenario translates to greater on and off road mobility.

The vehicle’s body incorporates a modular armor plate system that allows for easy and quick removal of the armor plates that may have been damaged and to replace them with fresh ones. The vehicle is also fitted with armor plates at the bottom of the car which acts as a mine deflector.

The LAPV6.X comes equipped with variable lift front and rear coil over the air filled shock absorbers which is adjustable while the vehicle is on the move. This in turn helps to lift the LAPV 6.X to about 1.5 feet off the ground. The braking system is hydraulic and has four ventilated disc brakes. This provide for optimum hill riding and driving performance. There is also the tire inflation system which senses the ground conditions and accordingly adjusts for the best possible traction.

Military technology supplier EADS was taken into the process of manufacturing this vehicle by Mercedes. There is however no chance of any of these advanced technology making their way in any of the Mercedes production models though some of the technology, albeit in its most basic forms might be made available on the upcoming Mercedes Benz armored cars meant for civilian use, like the S600 Pullman or the E-Class Guard.

Vector illustration of teamwork concept. Office workers are made up of parts of the whole, working on the project.