Once again, Mercedes-Benz is the automaker of choice for the 2009 Formula One World Champion series. The specially-modified SL63 AMG safety and the C63 AMG Estate medical vehicles will make their debut at the first race of the 2009 F1 season at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne that runs from 27 to 29 March 2009.
As in 2008, the role of the Official F1 Safety Car is being fulfilled during this year's new season by the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. While retaining the same 525HP 6.3-liter V8 engine as the road-going model that provides acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.4 seconds, AMG has equipped the car with a newly developed sport exhaust system with larger pipe diameter and special rear silencers.
Other mechanical upgrades on the SL63 AMG Safety car include the tweaked seven-speed automatic transmission, the large-size, additional coolers for engine oil, transmission oil, coolant and power steering, the specially developed coil-over suspension and the heavy duty composite brake discs.
Furthermore, thanks to the extended use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic on the engine bonnet, front and rear aprons, front wings and luggage compartment lid, the SL63 AMG Safety car is 220kg or 485lbs lighter than the series-production model.
Apart from its special roof attachments, F1 logos and the special LED illuminated number plate, the SL 63 AMG Safety Car is distinguished from the standard model by a front apron with larger cooling-air openings, the modified diffuser insert in the rear apron and the interior which features two bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts, trim parts in real carbon fibre, black leather appointments plus two monitors on the center console that enable crew of the Safety Car to supervise the action on the racetrack.
The C63 AMG Estate medical car that follows the Formula 1 field on the first lap, is powered by a 6.3-litre V8 engine delivering 457HP and 600Nm of torque. Like the SL63 AMG Safety car, the C63 AMG Estate has received a bevy of upgrades including optimized brake and suspension components. The cooling of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil and power steering have also been upgraded to improve reliability in harsher climate conditions.
The Official F1 Medical Car differs on the outside from the standard-production C63 AMG Estate with its new front apron with larger cooling-air openings, the F1 logos, roof bar and strobe-like LED flashlights at front and rear. Inside, the C63 AMG Estate features a set of bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts and two monitors in the centre console tha the crew to supervise the action on the racetrack.
