Mercedes C63 AMG estate
The Mercedes C63 AMG estate looks nice. That is does, being better resolved and more understated than the saloon. But don’t for one moment let the big boot fool you, because this car has 451bhp and 443lb ft.
The C63’s 6.2-litre V8 is a great engine and it will rocket Mercedes’ latest load-lugger from rest to 62mph in 4.6 seconds.
All that power is transmitted to the road by AMG’s Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic gearbox. It comes with steering wheel paddles and you can also choose between three driving modes: Comfort, Sport and Manual.
On the Continent prices will start at €69,853 (£47,115) so expect it to be £50k by the time it reaches UK shores at the beginning of 2008.
Standard spec includes 18-inch wheels, though 19s are an option. But our only complaint about the C63 AMG saloon was the overly hard ride, so the wife, children and labrador may not be too happy with the bigger wheels.
The front axle is lifted from the CLK Black Series, and there’s also a three-stage ESP system.
‘But I’m a practical man,’ Then fear not, because like the regular C-class estate the boot is full of rings and hooks, plus a collapsible crate to hold your shopping while the Easy-Pack tailgate opens and closes at the touch of a button.
The C63 AMG estate can also hold 485 litres, or 1500 litres with the rear seats folded. That’s 15 and 146 litres bigger respectively than the old C55 AMG estate, and comfortably more than the current RS4 Avant. But with that car due to retire soon, and BMW yet to confirm a M3 Touring, the Mercedes seemingly has the compact premium super-estate category to itself.
