There’s a very good reason why those who participate in the Mille Miglia have been, from 1977 on, held back from driving it like an actual race. A total of 56 drivers died between 1927 and 1957, after which it was put on hold completely for two decades, before being reborn the way we know it today, as a slow-paced historic rally.
Over the span of six decades and six generations of SL models, only the last two iterations of Mercedes' flagship roadster (since 2001) have been offered with a retractable metal top. All the other models featured a traditional cloth top. Now, a new report from Germany says that the era of foldable hardtops for the SL may end with the next generation expected in 2021.
After reigniting rumors that Aston Martin could use Mercedes GL running gear to underpin its SUV, the rumor mill confirms them again, with additional details and further speculation to boot.
Set to make its world premiere alongside Abflug's comprehensive tune of the Toyota 86 coupe (Scion FR-S) at the upcoming 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon in January will be a new package from the Japanese tuner for the previous generation Mercedes-Benz SL roadster (R230), built from 2001 through 2011.
The crew from Inden Design have launched a new (and very expensive) widebody treatment along with some performance upgrades for the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG hardtop roadster.
According to the tuner, the basic wide body kit is priced at €19,000, but to complete the look you'll have to dig out another €3,500 for the bonnet, €800 for the rear diffuser in carbon fiber and €999 for the front apron. And oh, did we mention that the assembly of the kit costs €8,000 and the lacquer finish an extra €7,500? Add them all up and you're already in €38,800.
Since 2008, Mercedes-Benz has been producing a special edition version of the SL65 AMG called the Black Series that comes with a fixed carbon fiber roof, a wide body kit, an upgraded V12 and numerous other performance and styling enhancements. If you happen to like the look of the Black Series but prefer to keep the retractable hardtop of the standard SL65 AMG, you may want to check out Inden Design’s latest tuning package.
Carlsson showed up at the Geneva Salon with a new version of its C25 supercar dubbed Royale. Based on the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG, the heavily customized coupe with the fixed rooftop will be built in a limited run of 25 units. Company officials said six vehicles have already been sold and will be delivered to the customers in 2011. According to Carlsson, each C25 Royale takes six months from order to delivery.
The pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG is the object of MR Car Design's latest tuning program. The exterior kit for the hardtop roadster model includes a lightweight carbon fiber hood from Kicherer, smoked up turn signals all around and the rear diffuser from the newer 2009MY SL 65 AMG. A set of shiny 20-inch alloy wheels from Carlsson and custom-made Black Series gauge dials inside complete the styling package.
It might not be a widely known fact, but strictly speaking, the Mercedes SLK roadster has a 55-year-old pedigree. Allow us to explain. When the German automaker presented the first SLK concept study in 1994, it was continuing the firm's small roadster tradition which stated back in 1955 with the 190 SL.
Those of you who stayed with us last night (East Coast time), probably followed Phil's live coverage of the first day of the Tokyo Auto Salon 2011, which runs from January 14 to 16. We'll have more from the Makuhari Messe convention center tonight, but for now, we'd like to draw your attention to this particular photo.
At first, you'll probably focus on the glitzy, star-studded Mercedes SL roadster with the gold grille, but look a bit closer on your right and you may see something very strange and perhaps disturbing...
From the makers of the redone Hennessey Jeep SRT600 Grand Cherokee and Chevrolet Camaro V6, comes our next tune. Vilner, a relatively new company in the aftermarket industry based in Bulgaria, has prepared a styling proposal for the interior of the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG.
The package is called "Shadow Line" and it treats the hardtop roadster's cabin with handmade leather goods starting from the seats and door panels and finishing up with the steering wheel, which is also upgraded with a thicker rim featuring a more flattened bottom area. The colors of choice for the leather seats and door panels are red and black with contrasting silver stitching completing the look.
While Vilner did not release pricing for the customized interior, the Bulgarian company did publish a neat video showing us the work that goes into the creation of the tailor-trimmed steering wheel. You can watch it right after the break.
We recently told you about how the angriest drivers in Britain tend to be behind the wheel of a BMW. Now we have some speeding/insurance info from the States, and it's a bit surprising.
According to Quality Planning, a division of Verisk Analytics Inc., American Mercedes SL drivers are at least four times more likely to get ticketed than a run-of-the-mill motorist who presumably drives a Camry Solara or...no, wait, the Camry Solara/Coupe and Scion tC come in at second and third.
Oddly, the Pontiac Grand Prix is still on the list and making waves (scroll down for the full list with stats).
The next-gen Mercedes SL63 AMG has officially been caught testing, aaaaaaaannnd...there it is. Much like the SLS and recently-revealed CLS, the front end of Merc's new hardtop roadster will sport a more in-your-grille fascia (punny, I know). It's so blunt and brutish, I'd say the German firm's stylists could have been helping Dodge with the 2011 Charger.
