HOME
NEWS
ROAD TESTS

 

 

ABOUT
ADVERTISE
SUBSCRIBE
TOP DRIVE











ROAD RAMBLINGS 
CLICK FOR DETAILS
HEAR CHRIS GOODSELL
TALK MOTORING ON
RADIO & INTERNET
..... more

NEXT CAR'S
TOP DRIVE
OF 2007

See it HERE

















ROAD TEST
Elvis Festival
Elvis Festival


MOTOR SPORT ENTHUSIAST'S TOUR

GoodwoodThe "Classic Motor Sport Tour" includes visits to Goodwood Revival, Donington Grand Prix Collection, Grand Prix Historique de la Vienne, Manoir de L'Automobile and Museum de L'Automobile at Le Mans and, for a farewell dinner, Atelier Renault on Champs Elysees. Also included are city tours of London and Paris, Classic Team Lotus Works tour and Brands Hatch race master (with an opportunity of a drive in a high performance Renault). This great tour includes return economy air fares, departure tax, transfers, 13 breakfasts, 3 dinners and 13 nights accommodation.

    See the brochure for more details ..... here.

    Bookings close Wednesday 25th June, 2008.

    Telephone Sheryl Poulter at Preston Travel on (03) 9470.4737 for enquiries and bookings.

Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG: Safety Car In The DTM

 

1st May, 2008

Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG: Safety Car In The DTM

The new Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG commenced duties as the official Safety Car at the second DTM race of the season held in Oschersleben, Germany on 19th-20th April, 2008. The top-of-the-range C-Class model with its awesome 336 kW AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine and modifications to the brakes, suspension, cooling and exhaust system is in perfect shape for its demanding role. The development and production of the C 63 AMG Safety Car was left to the skilled hands of specialists from the Mercedes-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 of power at 6,800 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 5,000 rpm.

Power is transferred by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC seven-speed 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 television.

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.

The 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 systems 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.



Other Mercedes-Benz content: here.

Next Car Pty Ltd
ABN 47106248033

Next Car Pty Ltd

Copyright © 2008.
All rights reserved.