AMG->ke8-prepped Mercedes-Benz->ke187 cars have a long and storied history as pace cars. From the SLS AMG->ke2504 to the C63 AMG, among others, Affalterbach's beefed-up cars have acted as pace-setters in extremely popular series the world over, such as Formula One->ke190 and DTM.->ke2754 The SLS AMG alone paced Formula One for five consecutive seasons between 2010 and 2014. Quite an achievement!

With the flagship SLS AMG already discontinued, it's the Mercedes-AMG GT's->ke4853 turn to keep things under control when yellow flags are out. Having already been confirmed as the official Safety Car for the 2015 F1 season, the AMG GT will also step in to replace DTM's previous pace car, the C63 AMG Black Series, at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz on May 29th to 31st, during the second round of this year's series.

The DTM Safety Car is virtually identical to the Formula One pace car, meaning the 490-horsepower Mercs, Bimmers,->ke178 and Audis->ke14 competing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters will be led during yellow flags by a range-topping, 503-horsepower GT S model.

As usual, the safety car has a light bar on the roof, in this case mounted on an aerodynamically optimized carbon-fiber air scoop. Added features include a front spoiler and a fixed rear wing, both of which are borrowed from the Edition 1 model. A special license plate with "Safety Car" lettering and orange/green LEDs, and radio equipment inside the cockpit complete the package.

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Why it matters

Set to open a new chapter for Mercedes-Benz as both a road-going sports car->ke506 and a full-fledged racer, the AMG GT is apparently off to do the same thing as a safety vehicle. By replacing both the SLS AMG in Formula 1 and the C63 AMG Black Series in DTM, the AMG GT has won bragging right to two of the most popular racing->ke447 series in Europe. And I bet this won't end anytime soon.

Mercedes-AMG GT

Read more about the Mercedes-AMG GT in our full review here.