More road tax dodgers...
More road tax dodgers than ever have been caught by the DVLA. New figures reveal that last year it managed to claw back í‚á£90million by prosecuting 972,000 motorists for evasion - a rise of 18 per cent. However, the agency admitted there had been a 4.5 per cent increase in the number of drivers not buying a tax disc. The car tax enforcement hotline (08000 325202), which was set up in May last year, received 134,000 calls in its first 12 months.
It comes with a seven-speed...
It comes with a seven-speed automatic gearbox and computer-controlled suspension to help keep its massive bulk on the road. High-performance brakes and an advanced traction control system, tuned to work with the all-wheel-drive transmission, have also been developed.
Unique bodywork and AMG"s familiar four-exhaust set-up instantly mark the car out from lesser M-Class models.
There are new aerodynamic parts fitted to the front and rear bumpers, as well as xenon headlamps. Polished 20-inch alloy wheels are on the options list. Inside, the SUV offers supportive sports seats in leather, with Alcantara inserts. AMG-badged door sills and unique instrumentation - including a speedometer marked to 200mph - are also part of the exclusive package.
As well as being the hottest version of the new M-Class, which is launched in the UK next month, it"s also the first AMG model to come with Mercedes" new high-performance V8. The 6.3-litre motor delivers 510bhp, and the firm claims it"s the most powerful naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine in production. Aimed at rivals including the recently launched Range Rover Sport and the BMW X5 4.8is, the ML63 will set new performance standards in the luxury SUV sector.
Prices have yet to be confirmed for the flagship Merc, but one source suggested the car could cost around í‚á£60,000 when it arrives next summer.