Mercedes-Benz has teamed with EADS to offer one of the coolest looking wheeled armored vehicles we’ve ever seen. Dubbed the G-Wagon Light Armored Patrol Vehicle (LAPV), this concept vehicle was unveiled at the recent Eurosatory defense expo.
The press release says the LAPVs monocoque full steel body and modular armor provides an unspecified level of ballistic protection and that it also comes with a mine deflecting armored floor and an IED jamming system.
While it’s not uncommon to see ISAF Mercedes-Benz vehicles driving around Kabul, this model with its orange highlights really looks custom built for the security-obsessed, Gulf state residing, ridiculously-wealthy set.
More photos of the Mercedes LAPV can be found at autoblog. Click here for a .pdf brochure.
– Greg Grant
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Intelligent opinions aside…
…it looks pretty badass.
Its missing the rooftop turret w/ the 30cal minigun—but i'd still take one.
I want one. sign me up!
Gotta get rid of the orange, but I wouldn't mind owning one.
Its there just to draw atention to new features in the drive train namely hydraulic suspension
I actually don't mind the orange. Mainly because I am not in the military. If I ever get lost on a camping trip, I want to be spotted easily.
The front upright picture at autoblog shows the underbelly to have little if any slope to it. I wouldn't bet my life that it could stop an IED or an anti-armor mine.
Well, I just happen to be in the need of an unspecified level of ballistic protection!
Hmmm. Cool looking and suitable for relatively light duty. It'll probably sell well among chiefs of the Policia and the Drug Lords down Mexico way.
~ Ballistic level 2
~ Fragments FSP 20mm
~ IED 15kg TNT (w/out penetrators) @ 2m
Armoured monocoque has a seperate circular plate central to the roof that suggests fitting for Chop's minigun has been considered.
A reference leaflet can be seen at http://www.mercedes-benz.nl/content/media_library...
It has some CG of the structure, a bit more information, and some photos of a version without the vile day-glo orange.
It even has a dashboard slot for a stereo.
and I love stereos.
Orange wheels = TARGET. Stupid.
Dave,
I am sure they thought of that when they deliver it to their buyers. The orange is a nice contrast to the paint and the background.
Comment=stupid
wheels ,suspension and hydraulic motor painted that way only to show new features mainly new fully adjustable long-travel hydraulic suspension so people notice what is actually different from Enok.
Yes, scrap the whole thing, its a bad color. While we are at it, will someone tear down the San Francisco Bay Bridge too? Its just as bad color-wise. Should have gone with the Navy's Black&Yellow striped scheme…..
But seriously…..
Considering each buyer is going to paint the thing their own camo colors anyway, does it really matter what color the trim is? I'm sure that MB would be happy to paint it whatever color the buyer wants anyway.
Looks perfect for rich guys to drive around Beverly Hills, making people think they are "adventurous".
Didn't Lamborghini make a Hummer type vehicle in the 80's?
no, your thinking of the LM 2002 wich was unrelated to the Hummer.
If it breaks down, do they fly in a certified Mercedes mechanic to fix it?
Its a MERCEDES–they probably supply soldier-mechanics to drive it—ha ha
Give it water wings and watch the USMC try to buy flocks of them.
A new version of Enok,its no MRAP ,but an light armored vehicle. The orange wheels suspension and hydraulic motor are just to show what is new to people to blind to notice hydraulic suspension.Military is offered heavier version called enok II that looks roughly simiar but is much beffier with unimog truck chassis drivetrain and a g-wagen powerpack that is more like MRAP but in general euro mraps seem much more mobile pieces of equipment and not so much off road bank vaults ,but its understandable as they are new designs and not just new verisons of 30year old south african designs that vere designed to protect form mines but also to fight in flat african savana not rocky afghanistan.And euro mrap's cost much more.
Big Truck! Its Huge! How much it cost? This car is for members of billionaires club only.
I prefer the T-98 Kombat. It's tested, nimble, robust and has a wide variety of armor / weapons packages. And did I mention that the price is almost reasonable?
Linky: http://sportscarforums.com/f11/hummer-h2-sut-vs-c...
G-wagen and Land rover are unlike Hummer or T98 Kombat or MRAPS more general purpose light wehicles(like the old jeep was) that have much lower logistical foot print and are much better adapted to hilly and /or wooded terrain and narrow mountain roads.
T98 kombat or an Hummer H2 are civilian play toys and great for mexican drug lords but usles for militay use.
If its like my Benz the oil changes will bankrupt the country quicker than the leadership. Do you also get a loaner Benz when its in the shop?