Mercedes-Benz will return to the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12-Hour in 2018 in more ways than one.
For the fourth time in as many years, Mercedes-Benz will supply the Safety and Course cars that will keep the contenders in check when the inevitable occurs.
The primary safety car across the weekend- the all-new Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC- will replace the Mercedes-AMG C63 S from 2017.
Powered by a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine that produces a whopping 450kW of power and 850Nm of torque, the AMG E63 S 4MATIC will sprint to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds and keep going all the way to an electronically limited top speed of 300km/h.
Rain, hail or shine, the E63 S AMG will be able to handle whatever Mount Panorama can dish up- thanks largely to a nine-speed Speedshift MCT automatic that drives all four wheels via the new 4MATIC+ AWD system.
The Mercedes-AMG E63 S AMG will be joined for chaperone duties by a pair of Mercedes-AMG C 63 Smodels valued at more than $160k a pop, plus two Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC saloons valued at over $100k. All up, the Mercedes-AMG Safety Car fleet is worth around $800k.
Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director John Casey welcomed Mercedes-Benz back to Mount Panorama.
“It is fantastic to once again be working with Mercedes-Benz. They have an outstanding presence both on and off the track that I know our fans really enjoy.
“We value our partnership with Mercedes-Benz enormously and thank them for their ongoing support.”
One lucky group of Mercedes-AMG customers will have the opportunity to pilot a range of Mercedes’ performance vehicles on the Monday and Tuesday following the event. Participants will be able to put the AMG vehicles through their paces around the legendary 6.2-kilometre Mount Panorama circuit.
Images Courtesy of Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour