Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series DTM Safety Car, 2012
A further highlight of the 2012 DTM season in addition to the
spectacular new Mercedes-AMG C-Coupé will be the DTM Safety Car: right
from the off, C63 AMG Coupé Black Series will be providing the necessary
safety for the world's most popular touring car series. With a maximum
output of 380 kW (517 hp), this two-seater is the most powerful C-Class
of all time. The German Touring Car Masters (DTM) gets underway at the
Hockenheimring on 29 April 2012.
The Safety Car is deployed under
the direction of the German Motorsport Association (DMSB), which is
responsible for implementing safety measures, ensuring compliance with
safety standards and discharging the attendant official sporting
functions in accordance with the DTM rules. The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Coupé Black Series Safety Car driven by racing driver Jürgen Kastenholz
(44) is intended to ensure maximum safety for racing drivers, spectators
and track marshals in case of dangerous situations, such as extreme
weather conditions, accidents or other incidents. In response to a radio
message from the race organisers, the Safety Car enters the track and
leads the DTM field around the circuit until normal racing can be
resumed.
The most powerful C-Class of all time stands for
spectacular design, technology transfer from the field of motorsport and
driving dynamics of the very highest calibre. As such, the
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series only required modification to a
few points of detail for deployment as the DTM Safety Car. The most
striking feature distinguishing it from the series production version is
the aerodynamically optimised light bar on the roof. Energy-efficient,
fast-response LEDs in green and orange keep the DTM racing drivers
informed of the current situation.
Green: the two central green
lights on the front and rear are always active when the Mercedes-Benz
C63 AMG Coupé Black Series enters the field at the beginning of a Safety
Car phase. Continuous green is the signal for all DTM drivers to
overtake the Safety Car.
Orange: as soon as the Safety Car is in
position in front of all DTM vehicles, the green LEDs are switched off
and the orange LEDs are activated. The flashing orange lights at the
outer ends of the light bar indicate that overtaking is absolutely
prohibited.
The stroboscope-like flashing LED lights on the front
and rear remain active throughout the Safety Car phase. The license
plate with Safety Car lettering which is illuminated by LEDs on the boot
lid provides for better visibility in poor weather.
The engine, power transmission, chassis, suspension and brake system corresponding to series production variant
The
AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine corresponds to the series-production engine:
with a maximum output of 380 kW (517 hp) and maximum torque of 620
Newton metres it even tops the roughly 377 kW (500 hp) V8 engine in the
Mercedes-AMG C-Coupé which is being used in the DTM. The high-speed
naturally aspirated engine enables acceleration to 100 km/h from a
standing start in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h
(electronically limited). With the spectators at the race track and the
TV audience in mind, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series Safety
Car is fitted with a modified AMG sports exhaust system. The special
rear silencer guarantees a distinctive AMG V8 sound.
Engine
cooling, power transmission, chassis and suspension, brake system -
these areas have been honed to perfection and did not require any
modification. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission with
four drive programmes, double-declutching function and RACE START
guarantees direct and fast gear-shifting. As is customary in motorsport
and typical for a Black Series model, the AMG sports suspension is
designed as a coil-over suspension. It covers a broad range of
adjustment options for an individual race track set-up. The standard-fit
AMG rear-axle differential lock with locking effect in acceleration and
deceleration mode combines with the 3-stage ESP® for reliable traction.
The AMG high-performance braking system featuring motorsport-tested
compound brake disks at the front offers extremely short stopping
distances and fade-resistant deceleration performance.
Optional equipment from the AMG Performance Studio
The
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series DTM Safety Car is equipped
with the AMG Track package, the AMG Aerodynamics package, the AMG
Exterior Carbon-Fibre package and forged AMG light-alloy wheels. The AMG
Track package comprises active rear axle gear cooling and sports tyres.
The radiator is positioned in front of the diffuser insert in the rear
apron, where it effectively takes in the air stream. The specially
developed Dunlop Sport Maxx Race sports tyres in size 255/35 R 19 at the
front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear are fitted on forged AMG wheels which
are painted matt black with a high-sheen rim flange.
The AMG
Aerodynamics package includes so-called flics and a functionally
designed genuine carbon-fibre front splitter on the front apron, plus a
fixed carbon-fibre rear aerofoil with adjustable blade. All three
components provide the vehicle with a sharper profile while optimising
its aerodynamic balance. The AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre package covers
exterior mirror housings, the inserts in the side sill panels and a
diffuser insert in genuine carbon fibre. All optional equipment items
come from the AMG Performance Studio and are available ex-factory for
every Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series.
Functional race-track atmosphere in the interior
The
interior also corresponds to the series production model, with a few
exceptions. The two AMG sports bucket seats ensure optimum lateral
support for driver and co-driver. In view of the intended deployment on
the race track, four-point seat belts are used. Optimum control of the
vehicle is guaranteed by the AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa
leather/DINAMICA with flattened top and bottom rim sections and
aluminium gearshift paddles.
AMG carbon-fibre trim featuring the
"AMG Black Series" logo underscores the functional race-track
atmosphere. For communication with the race organisers, the Safety Car
is equipped with a two-way radio system and TV monitor. The camera
located next to the rear license plate provides the co-driver with a
view of the DTM cars following the Safety Car. Under the monitor there
are four buttons in blue, green, orange and silver for operating the
light bar, the stroboscope-type flashing LED lights and the horn.
DTM Safety Car provided by Mercedes-AMG since 2000
Mercedes-AMG
has been providing the Safety Car ever since the beginning of the "new"
DTM in 2000, alternating with Audi from race to race - and since 2012
with BMW also. In the Formula 1 World Championship, an SLS AMG is
deployed as an Official F1 Safety-Car and a C63 AMG Estate serves as an
Official F1 Medical Car.
