If you’re looking to get your kid to soccer practice in the rougher part of town then the G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept from Mercedes-Benz would definitely fit the bill. Aimed at the global defence industry, Mercedes unveiled the Light Armoured Patrol Vehicle 6.X Concept at the recent Eurosatory 2010 defence industry trade show in Paris, France. Based on Mercedes’ G-Glass the LAPV 6.X boasts greater agility, higher protection and a greater payload capacity than its cousin, the LAPV 5.4.
Mercedes has managed to minimize the LAPV’s weight to increase agility without compromising on payload capacity or protection for its occupants. Running a high torque common rail diesel engine, the 6.X is capable of 150km/h (93 mph) speeds while being able to transport 1.3 tonnes of cargo. Its monocoque full steel body provides ballistic protection and sits upon a compact 2850mm wheelbase, to give a 50 degree angle of approach and 45 degree angle of departure for increased mobility and off-road performance.
The vehicle’s modular armor plate system, which includes a mine deflector plate on the floor, allows damaged plates to be removed quickly and be replaced with new or extra plates.
The variable lift front and rear coil-over air shock absorbers, which are adjustable while driving, help lift the LAPV 6.X to a ground clearance of 450mm (17.7-inches). This, coupled with the performance hydraulic braking system and four ventilated disc brakes, give the LAPV 6.X the ability to tackle steep slopes, while an individual tire inflation system is able to detect ground conditions and adjust accordingly for the best traction.
To produce the vehicle Mercedes-Benz partnered with the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. (EADS), which supplied a number of military technologies for the vehicle.
These include:
- a vehicle data recorder system to automatically document vital mission data such as position, data link and vehicle usage status
Don’t expect any of these advanced technologies to appear in any of Mercedes production models anytime soon, although some of the technologies in their most basic forms might make their way into Mercedes Benz armored cars meant for civilian use, such as the S 600 Guard Pullman Limousine.