Mercedes-Benz builds new Pullman State Limousine
Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz engineers are currently developing a new, prestigious luxury limousine with integrated highest protection for governments, businesses, monarchs and heads of state.
The armoured Pullman Limousine is based on the long version of the S 600 with a substantially extended wheelbase length.
The Mercedes-Benz State Limousine therefore provides a level of roominess worthy of its high-ranking occupants, not to mention outstanding comfort and a fully equipped mobile office.
The S 600 Guard Pullman sees the world’s oldest car manufacturer continuing its long tradition of building large state carriages with factory-integrated special-protection features.
Tradition and innovation are part of Mercedes-Benz’ corporate culture. Nowhere is this more evident than in the construction of large, armoured, prestigious limousines.
The Stuttgart-based manufacturer is the only carmaker that develops and builds impressive Pullman limousines with special protection, primarily for the official engagements of heads of state and monarchs.
And it has been doing so for some eight decades without interruption.
Originally, Pullman cars were railroad sleeping cars with luxurious appointments, produced by the American Pullman Palace Car Company; however, it was not long before the name “Pullman” also came to describe Mercedes-Benz cars with an extra-long wheelbase and an extremely large passenger compartment in the rear.
Separated from the front compartment by a partition, the rear compartment housed four individual face-to-face seats, allowing four passengers to sit opposite each other in truly grand style.
The very first Mercedes-Benz car to be factory-fitted with special protection, in 1928, was a long Pullman version of the W 08/460 Nürburg model.
This was followed first by the 770 K, which provided protection befitting the status of the Japanese Emperor Hirohito among others, and then by further Pullman Limousines.
Eventually, the legendary Mercedes-Benz 600 assumed the mantle of state carriage, holding it for almost thirty years.
As well as being used by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany for official business it was the preferred vehicle of governments from numerous other countries and many prominent dynasties.
Further Pullman versions of the Mercedes-Benz S-Guard featuring special protection followed in these illustrious footsteps.
Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler: “The new Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman continues an impressive tradition and, as before, will offer the very highest levels of protection, comfort and prestige.”
Governments, heads of state and royalty all over the world have always appreciated Mercedes-Benz’ vast experience and pioneering technical achievements in the construction of prestigious limousines featuring special protection.
The luxury limousine not only provides all the communications and entertainment equipment they need, it also offers them space for discreet meetings.
So they have everything perfectly under control, whatever the situation, with the added bonus of highly comfortable, individually styled surroundings.
Newly developed based on the S 600
In terms of technology, the new Pullman Limousine is based on the flagship Mercedes‑Benz S 600 L Guard model.
Power comes courtesy of a smooth twelve-cylinder biturbo engine with a displacement of 5513 cc, an output of 380kW/517 hp and an impressive peak torque of 830 Nm.
Both the chassis and the body are new developments, since simply adding on an extension would not have ensured the required overall stability, given the extra-long wheelbase.
These new developments also provide the solid design basis for the installation of the heavy special-protection components.
In addition, the new State Limousine features a rear entrance with increased headroom. Behind the partition, there is space for four passengers in the rear compartment with luxurious face-to-face seats in the time-honoured Pullman tradition.
Integrated special protection for highest possible security
The Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman also offers its discerning passengers the highest possible degree of protection against terrorist attacks.
The Highest Protection specified for this car is equivalent to resistance level B6/B7, as tested and certified by state-approved organisations.
Plus it meets further requirements that are not even stipulated by any standard, as tested by public and independent organisations.
Its armour resists military-standard small-arms projectiles and provides protection against fragments from hand grenades and other explosive devices. Additional safety features include run-flat tyres, a self-sealing fuel tank and a fire-extinguishing system.
In order to achieve the highest possible degree of protection, specialists with many years of experience in security technology equip the Pullman Limousine in Sindelfingen, working on the principle of integrated special protection.
In effect this means that, rather than retrofitting the protective elements in the doors, rear wall, side panels, roof lining and firewall, etc. of an already finished vehicle, they fully integrate them into the bodyshell.
Hence the body structure is further reinforced.
The resulting vehicles offer hallmark Mercedes-Benz build quality combined with comprehensive Highest Protection, including in those areas where retrofits would be all but impossible.
The basis for this is long-standing, continuous and close cooperation with nationally and internationally recognised security authorities.
Over a period of decades, this collaboration has ensured that the production and development expertise of the Mercedes specialists has continued to grow.
Their vast experience in the fields of protection technology and ballistics enables them to react to changing requirements in the most effective way possible.
Thanks to seamless integration of the special-protection features, the paint quality and corrosion protection match the high standards of conventional Mercedes-Benz passenger cars.
Furthermore, the Pullman Limousines can be serviced at any Mercedes-Benz service outlet world-wide – a key aspect of the comprehensive, uncomplicated high-level service concept.
It goes without saying that every new Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman will display its own unique brand of styling thanks to an extensive range of appointments options including a choice of paint finishes, leathers and woods.
Even the most unusual of customer requests can be met.
The first editions of the new Mercedes-Benz State Limousine are due to be delivered in late 2008.
Februari 2015
The new Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pullman
High-end luxury-class motor vehicle with a proud pedigree
Stuttgart/Geneva. The new Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pullman is being introduced at the Geneva Motor Show.
Mercedes-Maybach’s second model assumes the top-of-the-range position, with vis-à-vis seating in the partitioned-off passenger compartment, and at the same time stands as a proud example of the high-end automotive luxury traditionally associated with Maybach.
Its length of 6.50 metres alone is a sign of the special status of the Mercedes‑Maybach S 600 Pullman.
It provides the space for a generously-sized and tastefully-appointed club lounge in the rear, with a multitude of creature comforts fitted as standard, thereby ensuring the chauffeur-driven limousine lives up to today’s expectations of what constitutes total exclusivity and luxury.
The VIP occupants sit on two standard-specification executive seats facing the direction of travel. They can enjoy the greatest legroom in the segment; and can get into and out of the car with the greatest of ease and comfort.
As is typical for a Pullman, the four passengers can sit facing each other in the compartment with an electrically-operated partition window. Prices start at around half a million euros; the first customers will be taking delivery of their vehicles, which of course offer unrivalled scope for individualisation, at the beginning of 2016.
Many governments, heads of state and royal families around the world have for decades chosen Mercedes-Benz saloons with the designation “Pullman” to drive them with the stateliness and style befitting their status.
With its new model, the company is now extending its unique position in this demanding segment: “Quite apart from providing spacious seating in first-class comfort for high-ranking passengers, the new Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pullman is of course the embodiment of exclusivity at its highest level,” commented Ola Källenius, Member of the Daimler AG Management Board responsible for sales and marketing of Mercedes‑Benz Cars.
“One can sense the significance and greatness of it in every detail.”
The Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pullman provides extremely spacious seating combined with unique features characterised by their extraordinary and perfect craftsmanship.
It goes without saying that Mercedes-Maybach offers its customers unique opportunities to individualise the appointments of their top-class limousines. These include the exquisite Maybach paint finishes, which are applied in several layers.
With a length of 6499 mm, the Pullman is another 1053 mm longer than the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. The wheelbase is an impressive 4418 mm.
Furthermore, at 1598 mm in height, the Pullman is more than 100 mm higher than a Mercedes S-Class, resulting in a tangible increase in headroom.
The V12 biturbo engine in the Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pullman has an output of 390 kW (530 hp). It has a displacement of 5980 cc and maximum torque of 830 Nm from 1900 rpm.
The name Pullman was originally applied to railway carriages with luxurious open-plan compartments manufactured by the American Pullman Palace Car Company.
This name was soon also applied to the motor cars from Mercedes-Benz which were based on an extremely long wheelbase and offered a very generously-sized passenger compartment.
In the rear, separated from the driver’s area by a partition, there was space for four passengers to recline regally in four single seats facing each other.
Extremely spacious seating in the rear, entire vehicle interior is leather-clad
As its name suggests, the four seats in the rear of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman are arranged vis-à-vis.
The owner and VIP guests are seated in the direction of travel on two executive seats which are part of the standard specification; other passengers can sit on the fold-down seats facing backwards.
If specifically requested, the Pullman can also be delivered in an exclusive version without the additional seats.
The executive seats offer a unique level of comfort thanks to their special adjustment kinematics. In contrast to the norm, the backrest is adjusted separately while the footwell and seat reference point remain unchanged.
The cushion can be adjusted separately, with inclination and horizontal adjustment combined. For the executive seats, the maximum backrest angle is 43.5 degrees.
The most upright backrest position of 19 degrees allows relaxed working in the rear. The reclining seats feature a calf support, which is freely adjustable for length and angle.
The luxury head restraints come with an extra cushion as standard. The two first-class travellers in the rear have the greatest amount of legroom of any car in the segment, as well as 60 millimetres more headroom than in a Mercedes-Maybach
S-Class.
It is easy and convenient to get to any of the seats, thanks to the large rear doors and the position of the passengers on the executive seats, which is even further to the rear.
A real boost in comfort for those heads of state and monarchs for whom protocol dictates that they must take their places ahead of their interpreters.
This seating arrangement also preserves their privacy, as a large proportion of their bodies is hidden by the rear roof pillar.
The interior of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is upholstered in leather throughout as standard. Not only is the roof liner upholstered in high-quality leather, but also the door frames and seat consoles.
As one would expect of a Maybach, there are three analogue instruments in the roof liner informing passengers in the rear of the outside temperature, speed and time.
The partition wall between the rear and the driver’s area ensures discretion. The glass partition wall can be lowered electrically. It can also change from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button.
This allows – in combination with the equally standard-specification curtains for the rear windows – for different levels of privacy. The standard-fit 16:9 format 18.5-inch (47 cm) monitor located in front of the partition can also be extended electrically.
Those who demand uncompromising quality of sound and appreciate perfect music reproduction can choose between two innovative Burmester sound systems.
The existing Burmester® surround sound system delivers the legendary and unmistakeable magical sound for which the high-end audio specialist from Berlin is famous. But as an option par excellence, the Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound System provides matchless listening pleasure and outstanding sound quality.
It goes without saying that Mercedes-Maybach offers its customers unique opportunities to individualise the appointments of their top-class limousines.
The key account managers in the exclusive Maybach centres throughout Europe as well as the sales advisors in the Mercedes-Benz sales and service outlets are happy to provide further information on this.
The history: Pullman limousines from Mercedes-Benz
Happy birthday: the special protection version of the most famous Pullman limousine, the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman, is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2015.
The first version of this luxury armoured version was built in 1965 to complement the portfolio of the luxury vehicle that was introduced in 1963. Having said that, the tradition of offering exclusive limousines with the Pullman name goes back even further at Mercedes-Benz: three special-design examples of the model 300 in Pullman dimensions, referred to in the vernacular as the “Adenauer Mercedes”, were made in 1960.
And following on from the model 600, Pullman versions of the S-Class 109 and 126 model series (special production) and the 140, 220 and 221 (both series production) were produced in subsequent years.
