Speed Ticket Survey: Mercedes-Benz SL and Toyota Solara Drivers Top the List

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).

Of the top ten most ticketed cars, Mercedes and Toyota can each lay claim to three: the SL, the CLS63, and the CLK63, and the Camry Solara/Coupe, Scion tC, and xB. In defense of its speedy vehicles, Mercedes' spokesman Robert Moran says, "These are fun-to-drive cars, and sometimes people have a little too much fun enjoying them."

On the other side of the spectrum, people-hauling SUVs were among the least ticketed as long as we exclude the Hummer H2/H3; the lowest was actually the Buick Rainier.

The lesson here, kids, is skip the sex-on-wheels Benzos and just go for an old Buick SUV is you want to avoid tickets. Or, you could just restrain yourself...but where's the fun in that?

By Phil Alex

Source: Verisk Analytics , Via: BusinessWeek

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SCOOP: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster with Retractable Hardtop

Our spy photographers have snagged the next generation of Mercedes-Benz's SL roadster, which is due to arrive in 2012. As you can see in the pictures, Mercedes-Benz obviously will continue with the front-engine, rear-drive format, as well as with a retractable metal hardtop.

The prototype model's heavy disguise and body cladding makes it difficult to distinguish any details, but it's safe to assume that the new SL will carry styling hallmarks from the German firm's "artsy" design language previewed in its most recent concept models such as the CLS Shooting Break and the F800 Style.

Underneath the sheetmetal, the 2012 SL will share many hardware and components including the extremely rigid aluminium spaceframe technology with the SLS Gullwing supercar.

Even though details about the engine range remain scarce, buyers should expect a new 3.5-liter V6 with 306HP and the usual lineup of V8 units including the firm's newly developed 5.5-liter bi-turbo V8 for the AMG model, and quite possibly, an upgraded V12.

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Inden Design Styles-up Mercedes-Benz SL500 into SL65 AMG

We not sure if you'd be better off just buying a used pre-facelift SL65 AMG and get the whole package, but if you already own the SL500 of the same series and you insist on spicing up your car with an AMG bodykit plus a few more upgrades here and there, then Inden Design will happily do the job for you. The German firm's exterior package comprises of a full SL65 AMG bodykit with a front bumper and spoiler, rear bumper with a carbon fiber diffuser, side skirts, rear spoiler as well as rear lights.

Furthermore, the door handles, mudguards and front grille also painted black while the 20-inch alloy wheels in the same shade wrapped in 255/30 rubber up front and 305/25 at the back sum up the exterior mods.

The interior package includes carbon fiber decorative trim and an SL65 AMG Black Series flat-bottom steering wheel.

Finally, Inden Design also offers a suspension module that can adjust the ride height up to about 50mm, a sport exhaust system and an engine kit that raises output to 330HP or 282HP less than the standard 2007' SL65 AMG...

Modification costs:

- SL 65 AMG Bodykit incl. varnishing and installation 5,498.00 euros

- SL 65 rear lights AMG incl. installation 548.00 euros

- The third brake light from facelift in white 119.00 euros

- Black Series steering wheel 1,059.00 euros

- Clavier varnish black decorative features 950.00 euro

- Pure carbon interior 1,998.00 euros

- Adjustable sport suspension module 1,398.00 euros, installation 250.00 euros

- Inden Champion wheel set 10.5 and 11,75x20 with 255/30 and 305 / 25R 20 (star black, high-grade steel and polished rim base) 11,700.00 euros

- Body works necessary for the wheel set 2,200.00 euros

- Stainless steel exhaust system with the '65th' exhaust pipe 2,498.00 euros

- Pure carbon rear diffuser 1,448.00 euros

- Roof control module 298.00 euros

- Door handles and mudguard in black incl. disassemble and installation 820.00 euros

- Door handles and mudguard in pure carbon incl. disassemble and installation 1,420.00 euros

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Mercedes SL63 AMG and C63 AMG Estate official 2009 F1 Safety and Medical Cars

Once again, Mercedes-Benz is the automaker of choice for the 2009 Formula One World Champion series. The specially-modified SL63 AMG safety and the C63 AMG Estate medical vehicles will make their debut at the first race of the 2009 F1 season at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne that runs from 27 to 29 March 2009.

As in 2008, the role of the Official F1 Safety Car is being fulfilled during this year's new season by the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. While retaining the same 525HP 6.3-liter V8 engine as the road-going model that provides acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.4 seconds, AMG has equipped the car with a newly developed sport exhaust system with larger pipe diameter and special rear silencers.

Other mechanical upgrades on the SL63 AMG Safety car include the tweaked seven-speed automatic transmission, the large-size, additional coolers for engine oil, transmission oil, coolant and power steering, the specially developed coil-over suspension and the heavy duty composite brake discs.

Furthermore, thanks to the extended use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic on the engine bonnet, front and rear aprons, front wings and luggage compartment lid, the SL63 AMG Safety car is 220kg or 485lbs lighter than the series-production model.

Apart from its special roof attachments, F1 logos and the special LED illuminated number plate, the SL 63 AMG Safety Car is distinguished from the standard model by a front apron with larger cooling-air openings, the modified diffuser insert in the rear apron and the interior which features two bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts, trim parts in real carbon fibre, black leather appointments plus two monitors on the center console that enable crew of the Safety Car to supervise the action on the racetrack.

The C63 AMG Estate medical car that follows the Formula 1 field on the first lap, is powered by a 6.3-litre V8 engine delivering 457HP and 600Nm of torque. Like the SL63 AMG Safety car, the C63 AMG Estate has received a bevy of upgrades including optimized brake and suspension components. The cooling of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil and power steering have also been upgraded to improve reliability in harsher climate conditions.

The Official F1 Medical Car differs on the outside from the standard-production C63 AMG Estate with its new front apron with larger cooling-air openings, the F1 logos, roof bar and strobe-like LED flashlights at front and rear. Inside, the C63 AMG Estate features a set of bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts and two monitors in the centre console tha the crew to supervise the action on the racetrack.

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