WITHIN a week of unveiling its new-generation C-class Estate, and a matter of hours after Audi unleashed its awesome 426kW twin-turbo V10 RS6 Avant, Mercedes-Benz cut loose the C63 AMG version its new load hauler ahead of a world debut at the Frankfurt motor show. Set to headline the new series due for release around April 2008, the fast and furious station wagon follows the C-class sedan and an increasing number of other models in using AMG’s brilliant new high-revving, natural-breathing bent-eight.
As with the sedan version, the 6.3-litre C63 Estate churns out 336kW at 6800rpm and 600Nm at 5000rpm – and when combined with the standard AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic, it is more than enough to press the kids back into their booster seats as the rear-drive wagon hurtles from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.6 seconds. This is just 0.1 seconds slower than the sedan and the same time listed for the RS6 Avant. Top speed is an electronically limited 250km/h. Other usual AMG engineering and exterior enhancements are included, such as high-performance brakes, sports suspension, speed-sensitive sports steering and three-stage electronic stability control. The standard wheel-and-tyre specification comprises AMG light alloys with 235/40 tyres up front and 255/35 at the rear. A 19-inch package will be optional. The C63 Estate has the same “class leading” 1500-litre maximum cargo volume as regular C-class wagons, reducing to a minimum of 485 litres when the 60/40-split rear seatbacks are folded. The cabin also carries regular AMG features in areas including the seating, steering wheel and instrument cluster.
