The new Mercedes SL63 AMG safety car gets a specially-developed AMG sports exhaust system

View our Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG slide show

The storming new 525bhp Mercedes SL63 AMG will head up the 2008 Formula One season as the official safety car.

The recently launched Mercedes SL63 AMG packs a 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 525bhp and 464lb/ft of pulling power – making it more than capable of pulling the highly-tuned Formula One racers to attention.

And the new Mercedes SL63 AMG safety car gets a specially-developed AMG sports exhaust system which turns up the volume on the glorious V8 – meaning the F1 fans in the stands will be served up an aural treat.

The hot Mercedes SL63 AMG safety car has been stripped of 220kg thanks to carbon-fibre body panels including the bonnet, front wings and the bootlid, while the number plate is penned in ‘Safety Car’ lettering and is illuminated by 672 LED lights.

Underneath the track-prepped SL63 AMG are bigger brakes and extra-light 19-inch AMG alloy wheels.

And Mercedes-Benz is supplying the official medical car for the 2008 Formula One season too – the hot new Mercedes C63 AMG estate.

The load-lugging autobahn stormer is powered by a 457bhp 6.3-litre V8 engine, and gets a specially designed chassis allowing the Mercedes C63 AMG estate to be tuned to individual racetracks.

And piloting the Mercedes C63 AMG estate during the 2008 Formula One season is Dr Jacques Tropenat – a medic and amateur racing driver.

Mercedes-Benz has supplied the official Formula One safety cars since 1996, and have supplied numerous medical cars.

View our Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG slide show