For the current President of India, the change does not happen only in terms of his resident but for the first time in his five decade long political career, Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India will be using Mercedes Benz S600 (W221) Pullman Guard manufactured in Stuttgart, Germany instead of the Ambassador car he used to have earlier as a minister. This presidential vehicle has the luxurious features and has got enough safety features as well. Once the President enters the car, he would be completely away from any outside sound. Even the driver’s cabin is separated from the President’s portion of the vehicle by a soundproof glass partition.
The vehicle is ballistic-resistant. It is able to block the gunshots and is also armored to resist the grenade attacks. The vehicle has a stereo sound system with a hard drive-based GPS satellite navigator. The presidential limousine is also provided with Tele Aid which will use GPS tracking and cell phone services in order to provide any kind of assistance needed on road. In case any of the 8 dual-stage air bags or seat belt tensioners get deployed, an automatic call for help will be made. As per the revelations made by a Mercedes Benz source, the Pullman is absolutely luxurious and a state of the art and while manufacturing detailing has been given great attention.
The President can hold face-to-face meeting in his car. There is a refrigerator between the rear seats of car to allow one having something cool. The wheels have 4315 mm wheelbase and is 115 m longer than that of long version of special-protection S-Class. There is self-sealing 90-litre fuel tank and an automatic fire-extinguisher is there. The limousine is also provided with an emergency fresh air system. The change from Ambassador to the Mercedes Benz is quite costly, which is steep jump from Rs 10 lakh to about Rs 12 crores.
