Prime Minister Narendra Modi now has upgraded from Range Rover Vogue and Toyota Land Cruiser to Mercedes-Maybach S650 armoured vehicle as a part of his convoy.

Recently, PM Modi was seen in the new Maybach 650 armoured first at Hyderabad House when he met Russian President Vladimir Putin on his short visit to India. The vehicle was spotted again in the Prime Minister’s convoy.

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Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard is the latest facelifted model with VR10 level protection— the highest-ever provided in a production car. Hindustan Times reported that Mercedes-Maybach launched the S600 Guard in India last year for Rs 10.5 crore and the S650 can cost more than Rs 12 crore.

The Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for protecting the head of state of the country, usually submits the request for a new car. The SPG identifies security requirements and determines whether the person they are protecting needs a new vehicle. Since decoys are used, the SPG ask for the same model of vehicle.

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Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard is powered by a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 engine that produces 516bhp and a peak torque of approximately 900Nm. The maximum speed is limited to 160kmph.

The S650 Guard body and the windows can withstand hardened steel core bullets. It has received a 2010 Explosion Proof Vehicle (ERV) rating and occupants are protected from a 15kg TNT explosion from a distance of only 2 meters.

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The interior of the window is coated with polycarbonate and the vehicle’s lower part is heavily armoured to protect the occupants from direct explosions. The cabin also receives a separate air supply in case of a gas attack.