STEALTHY STRETCHED W222 S-CLASS CAN BRUSH OFF KALASHNIKOV ROUNDS
The recently revealed Mercedes-Maybach Pullman may be the most lavish version of the new S-class, but it isn't the first armored and stretched version of the W222-generation flagship. Trasco Bremen was already the first company to present anarmored version of the S-class a little over a year ago, and shortly before the Pullman's debut at the Geneva Motor Showthey rolled out their own stretched and armored limousine at the IDEX expo in Abu Dhabi.
Trasco's version is a little different, and it follows the general design of their armored Mercedes-Benz sedans dating back to the W126 model of the 1980s. This S-class is stretched by 19.6 inches at the B-pillar, and features a partition between the front and rear compartments, complete with a powered LED screen and an infotainment system screen for the rear-seat passengers. As in other Trasco limousines, the partition is more than just a wall -- the rear-seat compartment has a new dash trimmed in pleated leather that houses the smaller infotainment screen, in addition to extra legroom in the back.
Trasco W222 limousine's infotainment system is an Apple mutimedia center complete with ports for Apple devices, in addition to serving as a tablet PC with CD and DVD playability and streaming Wi-Fi for other media devices inside the car. All the functions in the rear-seat compartment can be controlled via an iPhone, including the ambient LED lighting and the Bang & Olufsen sound system.
PHOTO BY TRASCO BREMEN
The limousine features B6 (VPAM level 7) ballistic protection, and that goes for the panoramic roof as well -- a rare feature on armored vehicles. VPAM level 7 can stop NATO 5.56 x 45mm rounds, in addition to 7.62 x 51mm rounds -- common rounds for the M16 and M80 rifles. This level of protection is a bit lighter than the VR9 level, which Trasco and Mercedes-Benz's own Guard vehicles can also offer, but it's still sufficient to stop rounds from the vast majority of common rifles, including the AK-47 firing the lighter PS round.
This version of Trasco's limousine does not have 2+2 seating like the Pullman, but there are several other limousine versions of the current S-class that Trasco has in the works. They include those with a B-pillar section stretched by 47 inches, in addition to rear doors stretched by as much as 9 inches and roofs raised by 5.9 inches. Variants can offer conference-style seating as seen in the Pullman, with room for up to six passengers if optioned with bench instead of individual seats. So as far as limousines go, this one is pretty mild when it comes to room and equipment, even though it already exceeds the accomodations offered by the standard Mercedes-Maybach S600, which lacks the partition, beverage and infotainment features of Trasco's version. The longer limousines haven't been built yet -- someone has to order them first.
PHOTO BY TRASCO BREMEN
Trasco Bremen has been in the armoring and coachbuilding business for over 25 years and experienced a lot of growth during the 1990s and 2000s, when Eastern Europe became open for business. From that period, Trasco is probably best remembered for marketing an armored Mercedes-Benz W140 S-class limousine before Mercedes offered the Pullman in 1994.
Prices for this limo will vary by market and equipment, and there is no such thing as a standard version. Each limousine is built per order, with the version that Trasco showed at IDEX serving as a fully functional technology demonstrator.
0 коментарі:
Post a Comment