Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Official F1 Safety Car, exterior front and side view

Reprising their roles from the 2008 Formula One season, the Mercedes SL63 AMG and C63 AMG Estate will again be a presence on the F1 tracks in 2009, as the two have been named the Official F1 Safety Car and the Official F1 Medical Car. To handle their track duties, both feature a wealth of performance and practical enhancements, ranging from various cooling improvements to extensive weight saving measures. On the Mercedes SL63 AMG F1 Safety Car, alterations include a newly developed AMG sport exhaust system; a specially developed coil-over suspension setup; additional coolers for the engine oil, transmission oil, coolant and power steering; and a reduction in weight by some 220 kilograms thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. As for the C63 Estate AMG Medical Car, it too features a new exhaust system; coil-over suspension and additional coolers for the engine oil, transmission oil, coolant and power steering; while monitors and an on-board radio system help the C63 AMG Estate's drivers stay up-to-date with the action on the track.