At this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (March 25-27), Mercedes-Benz will debut its revised 2012 C63 AMG Estate Official F1 Medical Car. The German station wagon has been used in Formula 1 for the past three seasons, but in 2011 it will appear in its facelifted form with a refreshed design and updated technology that includes the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission.
Other new features include the aluminium bonnet with modified powerdomes, the radiator grille, the headlamps and the AMG rear apron, while there’s also a redesign front apron with larger intake apertures and side air vents.
The C63 AMG Estate Medical Car is motivated by a 6.3-litre V8 engine equipped with the AMG Performance Package delivering 487HP at 6800 rpm for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.5 seconds.
Special features of the Performance Package include the variable intake manifold painted in titanium grey and the AMG high-performance braking system with internally ventilated composite brake discs at the front axle.
The car rides on 19-inch wheels shod in tires with size 235/35 R 19 (front) and 255/30 R 19 (rear).
The Medical Car stands out visually from the stock model thanks to its F1 logos, the roof light bar, the stroboscopic flashing LED lights at the front and rear, plus the number plate illuminated with LEDs and displaying the words "Medical Car". Inside it is equipped with four sports bucket seats with six-point seat belts, and comes with two monitors integrated into the centre console for monitoring the race and a radio set for communicating with Race Control.
The SLS AMG that takes the role of the Official F1 Safety Car will join the C63 AMG Estate in the Australian Grand Prix. There are no changes for the SLS AMG that has been used in Formula 1 since 2010.
