Mercedes-Benz unveils demonstrator of LAPV Light Armored Patrol Vehicle based on new G-Class 464.

At the unveiling of the new G-Class (BR464) organized by Mercedes-Benz on September 28th at its G-Class Experience Center in Graz, Austria, the German manufacturer showcased a demonstrator that uses elements of this new G-Class and designated LAPV 464, LAPV standing for Light Armored Patrol Vehicle. It is the third successor of this type of vehicle on the Mercedes G base.
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Mercedes-Benz LAPV 464, with Plasan armored body (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This new LAPV 464 has been developed from the same line of vehicles built on the previous G-Class version, the 461. Interviewed by Army Recognition for its Defense Web TV, Norbert Zundl, Programme Manager of the G-Class, indicated that the development of armored versions is carried out with partners already specialized in this field like ACS who already did and keeps doing such LAPVs and other purely military-intended vehicles (Army Recognition will present some of them). This kind of partnership, he explained, is often imposed for export purposes.

Norbert Zundl, Programme Manager of the G-Class unit, interviewed by Army Recognition for its Defense Web TV about the Mercedes-Benz LAPV 464 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This LAPV 464 demonstrator is a combination of an improved new G464 chassis (reinforced suspension, protected portal axles, etc.) and an armored hull in STANAG 4561 level 2 standard designed by the Israeli company Plasan that also offers level 2A mine blast protection and energy-absorbing seats on top of the ballistic protection. “The gross vehicle weight is not yet fixed as we are very much in the development phase, and what you can see is the very first prototype,” told Norbert Zundl to EDR On-Line. The Gross Vehicle Weight will indeed be in the 6.2-6.5 tonnes area.

Mercedes-Benz LAPV 464, with Plasan armored body (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Mercedes-Benz LAPV 464, with Plasan armored body. The roof hatch enables various uses (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Thanks to its portal axles, the LAPV is higher than a G-Class basic vehicle, and its ground clearance is raised to 415 mm instead of 220 mm. Incidentally, this higher ground clearance increases the fording capability from 660 to 880 mm.

Suspensions are based on a two-spring system, which is the same adopted on the previous generation LAPV 6.1. The engine remains the same as the one fitted on the G-Class: the 3-liter Mercedes-Benz OM656 6-cylinder in-line turbodiesel engine that provides 249 hp (183 kW) with a torque of 600 NM. No future possible hybrid motorization is taken into consideration at this stage, Army Recognition has been told.

Front suspension of the Mercedes-Benz LAPV 464 (Picture source: Army Recognition) 

Rear suspension of the Mercedes-Benz LAPV 464 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

As detailed by EDR On-Line, the LAPV464 exploits many of the solutions adopted on the G-Class 464, among which the new electric system that provides a 12-volt grid for standard vehicle use, based on a single 92 Amp battery, and a 24-volt grid provided by two batteries, two generators more powerful than those installed on the 461 ensuring battery reloading. 

Front crew compartment of the Mercedes-Benz LAPV 464 (Picture source: Army Recognition)