Many secret service and intelligence agencies use the Mercedes G-wagon as security cars, mainly because it looks scary! But it’s not really secured until it gets the LAPV treatment. Meet the new 6.X Concept Armoured Patrol Vehicle. It’s an improved version of the 5.4, featuring greater agility, higher protection and a greater payload capacity.
The car has a diesel engine which can take it up to a top speed of 150 km/h. That’s not much, but it thanks to its variable lift front and rear coil-over air shock absorbers which are adjustable while driving and 450mm of ground clearance, it can do that sort of speed everywhere. It’s the king of wherever its damn well wants to go! While its monocoque full steel body provides ballistic protection for the passengers inside.
The vehicle’s modular armour plate system allows damaged plates to be removed quickly and be replaced with new or extra plates, and includes a mine deflector plate on the vehicles floor.
Other features of the LAPV 6.X include hydraulic braking system and four ventilated disc brakes, and an individual tyre inflation system which is able to detect ground conditions and adjust accordingly for best traction.
Mercedes-Benz in collaboration with EADS, a leading supplier of military technology brings a host of innovative high performance systems to the LAPV 6.X.
This includes:
- EADS vehicle data recorder system to automatically document vital mission data such as position, data link and vehicle usage status.
- EADS integrated communication system for UHF or VHF bands including a mobile Tetrapol base station for radio coverage out of a range of other networks
- EADS integrated mobile command, control and information system for seamless relay of commands through all levels.
- EADS jamming system for greater security, flexibility and scalability.
