Mercedes offers up C63 AMG as Official Safety Car of DTM

Click above for a high-res gallery of the M-B C63 AMG DTM safety car.

The Mercedes-Benz SL63 might have the honor of being picked as the official safety car for Formula One, but the equally badass, slightly more affordable and dangerously practical C63 AMG has been chosen to run ahead of the DTM racers, minus its 250 km/h speed limiter.

While the DTM safety car might look exactly like its production counterpart, save the roof-mounted lights and decals, the suspension, brakes, cooling system and exhaust have all been modified. To help keep the stock 457 hp, 6.2-liter V8 from running too hot while trying to avoid a DTM car-shaped enema, the radiator has been upgraded, along with a larger transmission oil cooler and two engine oil coolers mounted behind the front bumper's large air dams. Additionally, the rear axle cooling fins have been optimized to provide better airflow and benefits from a remote oil cooler.

The AMG C63 DTM safety car will make its official debut this weekend at the second race of the season in Oschersleben, Germany.

Hit the jump for the full press release.

PRESS RELEASE

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.