Trever,
My son and I autocross our SVX's and have been quite impressed with the handling of the car that weighs almost 2 tons. It really surprises people. Check out the Mercedes club web site at >
www.gsw-mbca.org< and check the past results of the aurocrosses and the competition. Keep in mind that scoring is done based on the SCCA "indexing" (multiplying the "raw" score by the index to arrive at the final time. The SVX does quite respectfully in G Stock class.
Check out my locker for some pic as well. There are some also from Summit Point Raceway - a two mile course with 10 turns. Lacks the horsepower to really fly, but does hit 110 - 115 MPH at the end of the 1/2 mile straight. And THEN brakes for the 50 MPH hairpin turn. Is it the fastest road car, NO, but it a hell of a lot of fun to drive.
I have not heard that the US model was any different from other SVX's in the suspension arena.
Harry