Download Our App
Cars > Mercedes > 2009 Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG F1 Medical Car

 By Ketan Patel View Comments

Image Copyright: Mercedes

2009 Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG F1 Medical Car

The C 63 AMG Estate, as the Official F1™ Medical Car, is to continue to help ensure maximum safety, this time for the 2009 Formula 1 season. AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, will be on duty with the specially prepared high-performance vehicle at all 17 of the new season's Formula 1 races, starting with a first appearance at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (27 to 29 March 2009). The specialists from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO are responsible for the development, production and servicing of the vehicle.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate Official F1 Medical Car follows the Formula 1 field on the dangerous first lap. The automaker says it is "able to guarantee the fastest possible emergency treatment." It is equipped with a 457-hp AMG 6.3-liter V8 and a seven-speed transmission. Exterior details include F1 logos, a roof bar and strobelike LED lights front and rear.

C 63 AMG Estate: the Official F1™ Medical Car

 

The C 63 AMG Estate, as the Official F1™ Medical Car, is to continue to help ensure maximum safety, this time for the 2009 Formula 1 season. AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, will be on duty with the specially prepared high-performance vehicles at all 17 of the new season's Formula 1 races, starting with a first appearance at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (27 to 29 March 2009). The specialists from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO are responsible for the development, production and servicing of the vehicle.

 

 

At the start of every Grand Prix, the high-speed AMG estate car follows the Formula 1 field on the first lap. This is because the first lap represents a critical phase of the race in which the Formula 1 vehicles are especially tightly bunched. In the event of an accident during the race, the Medical Car is the first vehicle on the scene and is able to guarantee the fastest possible emergency treatment.

 

This C 63 AMG Estate has excellent credentials for such a challenging task, where literally every second counts: the high-performance estate vehicle is powered by the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, which delivers 336 kW/457 hp and 600 Newtonmetres of torque. The AMG sport exhaust system boasts larger pipe diameters and new rear silencers, this resulting in a considerably more distinctive sound that comes out of the two chrome-plated dual tailpipes. In order to guarantee greater reliability, the cooling of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil and power steering has been optimized, this being visible also from the new AMG front apron with its considerably larger cooling-air openings. The power from the engine is transmitted via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC PLUS, which blips the throttle when changing down for even greater smoothness. Perfect traction is guaranteed by the combination of 3-stage ESP® and differential lock with 35 percent locking effect.

 

Coil-over suspension and AMG high-performance braking system

 

An adjustable coil-over suspension and 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, measuring 8 and 9 inches wide and fitted with tyres of sizes 235/35 (front) and 255/30 (rear), respectively, help to ensure perfect contact with the road. The powerful AMGhigh-performance braking system, with its internally ventilated and perforated composite brake discs on the front axle, guarantees extremely short stopping distances. The Official F1™ Medical Car differs from the standard-production C 63 AMG Estate with its new AMGfront apron with larger cooling-air openings as well as special brake cooling. The active cooling of the rear-axle differential is integrated into the diffuser insert at the rear. Like the Safety Car, the Medical Car, too, draws attention to its special role on the track through its F1 logos, roof bar and strobe-like LED flashlights at front and rear. Enhanced visibility in darkness or bad weather is ensured by the LED-illuminated number plate with Medical Car lettering on the boot lid tailgate.

 

The Official F1™ Medical Car is driven by racing driver Alan van de Merwe ( South Africa ). His co-driver is Dr. Gary Hartstein ( Belgium ), who is the official FIA Grand Prix Chief Medical Officer. Both of them are accommodated in AMGsports bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts, as are the two medical assistants in the rear. Two monitors in the centre console help the crew to supervise the action on the racetrack, while an on-board two-way radio system is responsible for communication with the race management. The functional feel of the interior is marked by black leather appointments and aluminium trim parts. The 365-millimetre AMG performance steering wheel with its flat underside on the steering wheel rim and AMGaluminium shift paddles guarantees perfect control over the vehicle. With its unrivalled volume of 485 litres, the luggage compartment offers ample space for the full complement of emergency equipment, including defibrillator and respirator.

 

Transfer from motorsport to series production

 

Both the SL 63 AMG Official F1™ Safety Car and the C 63 AMG Estate Official F1™ Medical Car impressively document the transfer from motorsport to series production. With reference to the example of the SL 63 AMG, numerous components in the Safety Car are available straight from the factory. The AMGPerformance Package includes, for instance, the 360-millimetre composite disc brakes on the front axle; the rear-axle differential lock; the 19-inch AMG light-alloy forged wheels and the AMG performance steering wheel. The same is true of the Medical Car: the AMG Performance Package for the C 63 AMG (saloon and estate models) includes, for example, the composite disc brakes on the front axle, the rear-axle differential lock, the AMG performance suspension and the AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather/alcantara. The 19-inch AMGlight-alloy wheels are optionally available.

 

AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO responsible for development

 

The development, track-testing and production of the two Safety Cars and the two Medical Cars - in both cases, there is one emergency vehicle and one replacement vehicle available - is carried out by the specialists from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO in close collaboration with the test team for AMGoverall vehicle development. This involves drawing on over 40 years of know-how from the field of motorsport as well as the wealth of experience in the design of high-performance sports automobiles.

 

Numerous test drives were carried out on various Formula 1 racetracks in order to tune the suspension and verify all the systems and components. Two highly-qualified AMG technicians are also on hand to take responsibility for the deployment of the Safety Car and Medical Car at all 17 Formula 1 races.

 

Since 1996: eight generations of safety cars from AMG

 

For 12 years AMGhas continuously provided the Official F1™ Safety Car and the Official F1™ Medical Car in the top flight of international motorsport.

 

All AMG Safety Cars at a glance

1996:

C 36 AMG (W 202)

from 1997:

CLK 55 AMG (C 208)

2000:

CL 55 AMG (C 215)

from 2001:

SL 55 AMG (R 230)

2003:

CLK 55 AMG (C 209)

from 2004:

SLK 55 AMG (R 171)

from 2006:

CLK 63 AMG (C 209)

from 2008:

SL 63 AMG (R 230)

 

All AMG Medical Cars at a glance

1996:

C 36 AMG (W 202)

1997:

C 36 AMG (W 202); E 60 AMG (W 210)

from 1998:

C 55 AMG Estate (S 202)

from 2001:

C 32 AMG Estate (S 203)

from 2004:

C 55 AMG Estate (S 203)

from 2008:

C 63 AMG Estate (S 204)


As early as 1984, an AMG E-Class Coupé with V8 engine was used occasionally as the Medical Car. Consequently, the activities of the Affalterbach-based company are also evidence of Mercedes-Benz's long-standing commitment to Formula 1.

 

 

2009 Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG F1 Medical Car

Comments:

Login to add comment