The 8-cylinder, 6.3L, 517-horsepower Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG has become the official safety of the German DTM touring car series. Jürgen Kastenholz will be at the wheel.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

The C 63 AMG is supposed to enhance security of the drivers, spectators and track marshals when conditions become too difficult to race in, like in the eventuality of crash or when the weather is particularly bad.

Most importantly, it features performances capable of keeping up to the needed pace and a modified exhaust tuned to produce less noise.

It can reach 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, has seven gears, a double-clutch gearbox and four driving modes. Tires are 255/35 R 19 at the front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear, mounted on black aluminium wheels.

The first appearance of the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG safety car is set for this weekend's April 29 DTM season-opener, held at the Hockenheimring.