Mercedes-AMG C 63 Estate review - pictures

Performance is plentiful in the C63, so it's difficult to see why you'd need the more powerful S version over the standard car. 

Starting at £61,260 the Merc isn't cheap. The standard model produces 470bhp, while the S model has 503bhp. 

There's little to differentiate the AMG over the standard C-Class inside, apart from the flat-bottomed steering wheel, sports seats, stainless steel pedals and a smattering of AMG badges. 

C63 just about wins the space race in this test, but transmission tunnel is intrusive for middle seat passengers. 

Boot weighs in at 490 litres, plus this increases to 1,510 if you fold the seats down. There's a button in the boot to do this for you, too. 

Scorching 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 replaces old 6.2-litre V8, and is both faster and more efficient. It's lost none of the character and sounds fantastic. 

4.0-litre V8 engine is a masterpiece that delivers an unrivalled blend of scintillating performance and decent efficiency. More importantly, it sounds the part, too. 

The standard C-Class Estate is a handsome car, so Merc has kept it simple with AMG add-ons for this car. Deeper bumpers, larger intakes, AMG badges and a hunkered stance all add to the muscular look. 

Quad exhausts and V8 Biturbo badges round-off the Merc's sporty look.