New MB SLK 55 AMG is official FIA Formula 1 Safety Car

Press Release

The new C 55 AMG estate is also making its first appearance as Medical car

Following its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, the new Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG will be showing what it is capable of in its new role as the official Formula 1 safety car. Specifically, the compact eight-cylinder roadster will be celebrating its circuit debut at this year's Grand Prix season opener on 7th March 2004 in Melbourne, Australia. Thanks to modifications to its braking system, chassis, cooling system and exhaust system, as well as weight-reduction measures, the SLK 55 AMG safety car will be showing off its optimised driving dynamics and maximized stability. And the improvements will prove very useful: After all, the newcomer will have to lead the world's fastest drivers around the track at high speed in the event of a circuit emergency, while ensuring maximum safety. And the new C 55 AMG estate is also making its first appearance at the most prestigious level of motor sports. Prof. Sid Watkins, the Grand Prix chief medical officer, will be able to use the high-performance official medical car with the AMG V8 engine to ensure the fastest possible response in the event of a emergency. The powerful AMG cars will be ready for action at all 18 Formula 1 races, where they will be able to demonstrate their sporty prowess in front of billions of race fans worldwide. With Bernd Mayländer, 34 � a professional racing driver � behind the wheel, the safety car is taking on the challenge of keeping the Formula 1 cars out of harm's way in the event of crashes and bad weather conditions. In other words, Mayländer will have to position himself at the head of the field and drive at top speed in front of the Formula 1 cars. And if the speed becomes too low, the high-tech engines that power the sensitive Formula 1 race cars could start to experience problems. For example, they could overheat due to an inadequate supply of cooling air, while the tyres could cool down too much and lose their grip. Fast laps at top speeds of up to 240 km/h at the world's Grand Prix tracks are therefore everyday occurrences for the safety car, which masters these situations with no problems.

Few � but focussed � technical changes to the new SLK 55 AMG

For its demanding assignment as the Formula 1 safety car, the SLK 55 AMG required modifications that were few in number but very sharply focused. The distinctive sporty strengths of the new two-seater developed by Mercedes-AMG were only supplemented in areas that would generate maximum high-performance and reliability for circuit operation. In place of the standard 18-inch tires, for example, new multi-part 19-inch AMG light-alloy, double-spoke rims with special 235/35 R 19 and. 265/30 R 19 tires have been used. And together with the firmer chassis tuning, the car can handle higher curve speeds and has even more agile handling. The enhanced performance of the new, enlarged braking system ensures that the car remains perfectly stable and exhibits optimal deceleration. Composite brake discs with six-piston brake callipers are installed on the front axle, and internally ventilated and perforated steel brake discs with four-piston callipers provide the stopping power in the rear. Channels that direct cooling air to the front brakes � which have to bear particularly high stresses � were specially engineered for the safety car's use in a racing environment.

Weight reduction: nearly 100 kilograms lighter than the series-production car

In order to deliver world-class racing performance, the weight of the safety car was trimmed by nearly 100 kilograms in contrast to the series-production vehicle. And this was achieved despite the fact that the car became heavier right from the outset because of its added components � including communication equipment, lights, cooling systems for the rear axle and brakes, and larger wheels and brakes. Aluminium was used in place of steel for the bonnet and other components, representing a weight saving of about 12 kilograms. The DaimlerChrysler specialists at the Bremen plant played a key role in slashing the car's weight. Keeping the vario-roof closed at all times made it possible to dispense with its mechanical and hydraulic systems, saving another 17 kilograms. The front and rear valences are made of an extremely lightweight, high-strength carbon-fibre laminate material. Carbon-fibre laminate is a high-tech solution known for its applications in Formula 1 and the DTM. The valences weigh ten kilograms less than those used in the series-production SLK. Additional weight reductions were realized with the headlamps (4 kg), seats (25 kg), the car's entire wiring (4 kg), its interior (40 kg) and numerous other measures, giving the safety car a curb weight of 1,370 kg. In comparison, the curb weight of the SLK 55 AMG series-production vehicle is 1,465 kg (not including the fuel and driver). All these modifications also result in optimised weight distribution, which means superior handling on the circuit. The car's battery and windscreen fluid reservoir were moved from the engine compartment to the boot, enhancing this advantage even more.