When the second DTM race weekend of the season kicks off in Oschersleben tomorrow (April 19th), taking the reins of the official Safety Car duties will be none other than the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.  This marks the eighth continuous year Mercedes has provided a vehicle to serve as a DTM Safety Car, with the company alternating with Audi from race to race in furnishing a vehicle for the role.

As for the features that distinguish the C63 AMG Safety Car from a traditional C63 AMG, a large number of changes had to do with improving the model's cooling.  Highlights include a high-performance radiator; two engine oil coolers located on either side of the front apron; an additional, larger transmission oil cooler; and a rear axle differential featuring cooling fins and a separate oil cooler.

Helping driver Peter Lux stay firmly planted on the road, three-link front suspension with a wider track, AMG sports parameter steering, AMG Performance suspension with a stiffer set-up, 3-stage ESP with sports function and 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in sizes 245/35 (front) and 265/30 (rear) are just some of the features in place.

And of course, who can forget the newly-developed AMG sports exhaust system - an attribute aimed at providing"acoustic treat" for the fans trackside and those watching on television.

But enough talk.  You want to see it, so see it ye shall.  Keep scrolling to see a few of additional photos of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG DTM Safety Car, followed by the full press release detailing each of its various enhancements.

Enjoy.











OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


V8 Saloon with 336 kW/457 hp and 600 Nm of torque: New C 63 AMG ready for the off as the official Safety Car in the DTM

The new C 63 AMG will be at the start as the official Safety Car for the second DTM race of the season in Oschersleben (April 19/20, 2008). The top-of-the-range C-Class model with its 336 kW/ 457 hp AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine and modifications to the brakes, suspension, cooling and exhaust system is in perfect shape for its demanding task. The development and production of the C 63 AMG Safety Car was in the hands of specialists from the AMG development team and the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO.

The Safety Car operates under the aegis of the Deutscher Motor Sport Bund (DMSB - German Motor Sports Association), which has the overall responsibility for compliance with safety requirements under the rules of the DTM. The task of the C 63 AMG Safety Car is to ensure maximum safety both on and adjacent to the track in the event of an extreme situation occurring. On the instructions of the race organisers, Safety Car driver Peter Lux must place his car at the head of the DTM field and safely lead the cars around the circuit so that hazardous situations are kept under control.

This fast AMG V8 saloon is outstandingly equipped for its task: the AMG-developed, naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine develops 336 kW/457 hp at 6800 rpm from a displacement of 6.3 litres, which means that it almost matches the performance level of the C-Class DTM cars. The maximum torque of 600 newton metres is generated at 5000 rpm. Power is transferred by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, which has steering wheel shift paddles and automatic double-declutching during downshifts. For use in the DTM series, the C 63 AMG is equipped with a newly developed AMG sports exhaust system with a special sound design, providing a further acoustic treat for the fans at the trackside and following the race on TV.

High-tech cooling, suspension and braking from the world of motor sports

Reliable and sustained racetrack performance at the highest level is ensured by high-tech features derived from motor sports. In the C 63 AMG Safety Car these include a high-performance radiator, two engine oil coolers located on either side of the front apron and an additional, larger transmission oil cooler. The rear axle differential features cooling fins and a separate oil cooler. The best possible handling dynamics are provided by the C 63 AMG-specific three-link front suspension with a wider track, the AMG sports parameter steering, the AMG Performance suspension with a stiffer set-up and 3-stage ESP® with the sports function.

19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design with wide-base tyres in size 245/35 (front) and 265/30 (rear) ensure outstanding contact with the track surface. Excellent, fade-free deceleration is guaranteed by the high-performance AMG braking system. The front brakes have 380-millimetre composite brake discs with six-piston callipers, while 330-millimetre steel brake discs and four-piston callipers are fitted at the rear; all the brake discs are internally ventilated and perforated. A mechanical, asymmetrical multi-disc locking differential ensures outstanding, slip-free traction.

Sophisticated warning and communication system on board

Apart from the DTM logos and the wider tyres, the array of lights on the roof of the DTM Safety Car is the major distinguishing feature versus the standard C 63 AMG. The white, strobe-like flashing LED lights in the headlamps and tail lights have a neutral signalling function, and are permanently switched on while the car is on race duty. For communication with the race organisers the Safety Car is equipped with a sophisticated two-way radio system and TV monitor. The cockpit for Peter Lux and his co-driver is fitted with two bucket seats with 4-point seat belts, an especially grippy AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather/Alcantara and high-quality AMG carbon-fibre trim.

DTM Safety Car provided by Mercedes-AMG since 2000

Mercedes-AMG has provided the DTM Safety Car on a continuous basis since 2000, and takes turns with Audi from race to race. In Formula-1 racing an SL 63 AMG is in operation as the Official F1™ Safety Car, while a C 63 AMG Estate is used as the Official F1™ Medical Car.

Copyright © 2008, Daimler AG