The special lightweight CLK has s 6.3-litre V8 seven-speed sequential gearbox that can see it rocket ot 324km/hr
A Mercedes capable of an unrestricted top speed of 324km/h (200mph) is the new Formula One safety car for this season.
The CLK 63, built by the Mercedes-Benz performance arm AMG, will step out for the first time in the Australian Grand Prix on March 30.
It will be joined
for the 18-race season by another AMG model, the C55 station wagon, the sport's official medical car.
The CLK 63 weighs 1600kg and is largely race-bred itself, using carbon-fibre technology borrowed from Formula One.
Its naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V8 engine produces 354kW (475bhp) at 6800rpm and 620Nm of torque at 500rpm and drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed sequential gearbox.
The car rides on 19-inch alloys and is equipped with hi-tech brakes, suspension, and cooling systems.
Included in the cooling componetry is a high-performance radiator, two engine oil coolers fitted in the sides of the front apron and an auxiliary, brake cooling ducts for the front wheels, and a larger transmission oil cooler. The rear axle differential has cooling fins and a separate oil cooler.
The CLK 63 AMG has the task of keeping the Formula One cars out of trouble in the event of accidents or bad weather.
At a signal from race control, the safety car, piloted by former German touring car championship driver Bernd Maylander, moves into position at the head of the field to lead the cars around the track at the fastest possible speed.
If the speed is too slow the Formula One engines would overheat and the tyres lose grip.
The main visual indicators that this is not the standard CLK 63 AMG - which weighs 1750kg - are the FIA F1 logos and the lights on the roof.
The white strobe lights in the headlamps and tail-lights are always on when the car is in action.
To communicate with race control, the safety car is equipped with a radio system, TV monitor and TV cameras mounted inside and outside.
For its racetrack role the CLK 63 AMG gets a new throaty-sounding exhaust system - for fans at the track and at home in front of TV.
