[PPS]

Prime Minister Modi's latest ride - Maybach S650 Guard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2vNTEGdNC0&t=29s

[//M]

Originally Posted by PPS

Prime Minister Modi's latest ride - Maybach S650 Guard.

This is the exact car I happened to see the other day. Couple of pics that I clicked of this S650 V12 Guard:

[anjan_c2007]

Our Prime Minister has upgraded his official ride to a Mercedes Maybach S 650 and was first sighted using this car while at the Hyderabad House, New Delhi, very recently to meet the visiting Russian President Mr Vladimir Putin.

This is an upgrade from his recent rides, the Range Rover Vogue and Toyota Landcruiser. The new buy has a VR 10 level of protection, the highest in any production car currently. The US President's Beast is a custom made Cadillac and not a production car.

The new buy was based on the Special Protection Group (SPG) recommendation where such purchases are critically scrutinised for approval.

The car is powered by a V 12 , twin turbo 6000 cc/516 bhp engine with a peak torque of 900 Nm. It rides with a 160 kmph maximum speed that appears to be lower than the other, non armour plated, non VVIP S 650's, obviously owing to the heavier mass for security reasons.

The present Prime Minister had routinely used a Mist Silver coloured Mahindra Scorpio (second generation) then as the Gujarat Chief Minister and after taking over as Prime Minister had indicated his desire to continue with the same make but with due security trims. The SPG disapproved and he was then convinced to use a BMW 7 Series, the then usual rides for Prime Ministers.

More here:

https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto...662850592.html

[heydj]

In India Mahindra & Tata cannot make PM grade car? Being a leader how about leading from front when it comes to Make In India push.

Imagine on state visit to USA using Indian car for travel. It would put our automobile sector on global map.

[Raghu M]

Originally Posted by heydj

In India Mahindra & Tata cannot make PM grade car? Being a leader how about leading from front when it comes to Make In India push.

Imagine on state visit to USA using Indian car for travel. It would put our automobile sector on global map.

Unfortunately, I don't think the PM alone cannot make a choice on this. The SPG, Intel and other departments make the recommendation. Anand Mahindra did mention the ability of M&M to make a world class security car but I don't think they were ready to take chances there. The security protocol is too high to pick a TATA or M&M. But, I am sure the Indian makers can come up with a good vehicle. Looks like the requirements are too high for what the current tech can offer.

[SR-71]

Originally Posted by heydj

Imagine on state visit to USA using Indian car for travel. It would put our automobile sector on global map.

Not to sound critical here, but the reality is our home players aren't even at a level where they can compete with the Europeans or Koreans in the commercial segment when it comes to finesse and ride quality. Simple point in case will be a quick comparison of the flagships from the house of Tata and Mahindra against their competition in the benchmark. Perhaps its too soon to speak about the XUV700 but with Harrier, its a lost opportunity. Our home players seem to be averse in taking risks and are happy producing cars with cost consciousness as the primary focus. With such mindset its difficult to break in to the D-segment let alone the VVIP segment.

While it would really nice for our leaders to ride a homegrown car in world stage, such expectations are unrealistic unless our manufacturers step up their game. We cannot expect the SPG to sacrifice the safety of the top leaders just for political showmanship. All the 3 home players have been around for a really long time and have all the support in place both politically and network wise. They simply haven't put it to best use, IMHO they could have done better. Mahindra seems to be showing positive signs in the right direction with its recent flagship, the XUV700. But is this pace fast enough ?

[sandeepmdas]

Originally Posted by heydj

Imagine on state visit to USA using Indian car for travel. It would put our automobile sector on global map.

Originally Posted by Raghu M

The security protocol is too high to pick a TATA or M&M. But, I am sure the Indian makers can come up with a good vehicle. Looks like the requirements are too high for what the current tech can offer.

Actually, a TATA vehicle is already available and in use by the British Royals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtdxzHbmWnc

However, I too agree with Raghu here; a low-profile (side profile, I mean ) sedan has advantages over a tall SUV when you consider tactical driving etc. are considered i think. My knowledge in such topics is limited only to reading Tom Clancy-like stuff.

[JoshMachine]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

The new buy has a VR 10 level of protection, the highest in any production car currently. The US President's Beast is a custom made Cadillac and not a production car.
The new buy was based on the Special Protection Group (SPG) recommendation where such purchases are critically scrutinised for approval.

Vehicle Resistance or VR10 (VPAM VR 10) level is currently, the highest level of ballistic protection for any civilian or production car.

It is the latest European standard, replacing the previously used standards.

Check out this brief desription - https://www.aurum-security.de/en/our-cars/short-summary

The below image probably gives a better visual representation of the level of protection being offered:



Have some distant relatives in the SF , so some tid-bits do get shared in closed circles.

[Abhineet Singh]

Have some distant relatives in the SF , so some tid-bits do get shared in closed circles.

How about sharing some bits with the masses, sir?

[PrasannaDhana]

The car is registered to Assistant Inspector General. It was registered in April 2021 and weighs 4.4 tonnes!

Just curious, when nobodys like us want VIP/fancy numbers on out cars, why can the GoI pick one for the VVVIP car worth 12 crores?! Or may be someone's birthday is 5th September 1944

[wildsdi5530]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Our Prime Minister has upgraded his official ride to a Mercedes Maybach S 650 and was first sighted using this car while at the Hyderabad House, New Delhi, very recently to meet the visiting Russian President Mr Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Putin uses a home brew Aurus Senat developed by the local Nami institute in 5 years. It was inspired by their Zis 110. And available in their local market too.

[Raghu M]

Originally Posted by wildsdi5530

Mr. Putin uses a home brew Aurus Senat developed by the local Nami institute in 5 years. It was inspired by their Zis 110. And available in their local market too.

Mr. Putin has a more political (read regional strength muscle show) point to make and I mean not to the internal masses. The Russians cannot rely on European/American tech anymore. There are far too many political fallouts that Russia needs to show to the world that they can build high tech stuff. And when I say high tech, it indeed is high tech. The nuke tech, capability of reaching the space, general military warfare (high end war toys) tech or even the Covid vaccine - Russia has proved a point in all these areas. It does without reliance on external support. So, Putin has to make a point there, it's more of a compulsion than a choice.

[FrozeninTime]

Originally Posted by PPS

Prime Minister Modi's latest ride - Maybach S650 Guard.

Is there any particular reason for frequent replacement of PM and President cars.
Is it due to poor reliability ?
Lastly where do these cars end up after being replaced with new cars.

P.S: let us keep politics aside for time being and discuss about this car in detail.

[sierrabravo98]

Originally Posted by FrozeninTime

Is there any particular reason for frequent replacement of PM and President cars.
Is it due to poor reliability ?
Lastly where do these cars end up after being replaced with new cars.

P.S: let us keep politics aside for time being and discuss about this car in detail.

I don't think the Prime Minister's or the President's vehicles are replaced frequently. The 7 series used by the PM before this S-Class was close to 10 years old. Same for the W221 S-Class used by the President before the present Pullman Guard.

AFAIK, the old vehicles, if they have useful life left, are kept as reserve vehicles in the PMO/Rashtrapati Bhavan motor pool (these vehicles are usually sent to places outside Delhi to serve as Prime Ministerial transport). They may also be sent to the MEA/MHA VVIP motorpool for use during visit of foreign dignitaries.

[GTO]

Mod Note: A polite reminder that the discussion should revolve around cars and NOT politics. Thanks for the support & understanding