Geneva 2011: Carlsson C25 Royale is a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG in Disguise

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.

Compared to the Mercedes SL65 AMG coupe-cabriolet, the C25 Royale is 180 kilograms lighter, thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber, which is found on the hood and the fixed roof. This contributes to a lower center of gravity, in addition to the revision of the weight distribution, both aimed at offering improved handling.

Other weight-saving measures include the fitting of a full ceramic brake system, which is 50 percent lighter than on the SL 65 AMG. The German sports car also features a C-Tronic Suspension system developed by Carlsson, which detects road conditions and driving style and acts accordingly. For instance, on bad roads, the car is raised to offer better ride comfort.

At the heart of the C25 Royale is the biturbo V12-engine, tuned to deliver753 horsepower and 1,320 Nm of torque (973 lb-ft), which is electronically limited to 1,150 Nm (848 lb-ft). These impressive figures allow the C25 Royale to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,7 seconds and reach a top speed of 352 km/h (219 mph).

The custom exterior styling is matched to a bespoke interior with Carlsson offering buyers a variety of choices in features and materials.

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Geneva 2011: Carlsson C25 Royale is a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG in Disguise

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.

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U Spy: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster Convoy Scooped in Spain

Carscoop reader Frank Jonas hit the Mercedes-Benz jackpot when travelling in Spain last week, he stumbled upon a convoy of camo'ed SL prototypes, which were accompanied by several other vehicles with the star on their bonnet including an example of the current generation of the German firm's hardtop roadster model.

"On my trip to the south of Spain last week I had the opportunity to take some pictures of a heavily camouflaged Mercedes-Benz Coupe/Cabriolet, most probably the next SL," Frank told Carscoop.

Although Mercedes has done its best to disguise the SL by covering it in heavy cladding, we can see that the new generation model keeps its predecessor's two-piece folding hard top, while the styling is expected to adopt the German firm's more "artsy" design philosophy as seen on the latest CLS and recent concept models such as the F800 Style, along with a more in-your-face front grille.

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MR Car Design Tunes up the Pre-Facelift Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG

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.

To improve performance, the Germany-based tuning firm optimized the bi-turbocharged V12 engine's ECU and added a custom sports exhaust system, which help lift output by 80HP for a total of 692-horses. The removal of the electronic speed limiter and the addition of an electronic module that lower the roadster model's ride height by 30 mm round off the changes.

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MR Car Design Tunes up the Pre-Facelift Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG

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.

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A Short History of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster

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.

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Tokyo Auto Salon 2011: Notice anything Strange with this Picture?

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...

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Vilner's Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Shadow Line gets some Interior Love [with Video]

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.

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Vilner's Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Shadow Line gets some Interior Love [with Video]

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.

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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).

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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).

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Brabus Takes on Merc's SL65 AMG Black Series with New T65 RS

The latest big Benz to come out of the Brabus garage is here - the new SL65 Black Series-based T65 RS, and it's screaming one thing: "That E V12 Coupe in Geneva was a sissy!"

Instead of the standard SL65 AMG Black Series' 670HP biturbo-V12, it gets the same modded 800-horsepower, 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft) twin-turbo Brabus V12 under the hood. Between the engine and that new hood scoop are four intercoolers while the car also gets a new stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with free-flow metal catalysts.

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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.

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Carlsson C25: Mercedes-Benz-Based Super GT to Debut in Geneva

The closer we get to the 2010 Geneva Salon in March, the more automakers reveal their plans for one of the most important car shows of the year. Carlsson, the well-known Mercedes-Benz specialist, announced today that it will shake the covers off the C25, which it describes as the company's "first own-developed automobile".

And by that, Carlsson actually means that it has created its own limited run super-car using a whole lot of bits and pieces from Mercedes-Benz' parts bin.

Even though the tuner did not say which model the C25 coupe is based on, judging by the teaser sketches and the fact that it is powered by a 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 engine, our first guess goes to the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG.

Nevertheless, the drawings suggest that the C25 will have its own unique styling personality while the tuner claims that the same goes for the new interior that receives a generous use of real carbon, tanned buffalo leather and ultra-suede in special colors.

Underneath the sheetmetal, it's all about tuning Mercedes-Benz' running gear. Power comes from a tweaked 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine that cranks out 753-horsepower and a mouth dropping 1,320Nm or 974 lb-ft (!) of peak torque that's available at 3,750 rpm.

With that kind of power, it's no surprise that Carlsson announces a 0-100km/h (62mph) time of just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 353 km/h or 219mph.

The completely street-legal C25 also gets ESP, ABS, airbag systems, an intelligent lowering C-Tronic SUSPENSION, 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels shod in 265/30 tires at the front and 325/25 at the back as well as 405mm slotted race brake discs at the front and 380mm race brake discs at the rear.

Carlsson said that it will produce only 25 examples of the car delivering only one automobile per country. More details and pricing are to be announced at the C25's world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

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