Mercedes-AMG C 63 Estate vs Audi RS4 Avant - pictures

The new Mercedes-AMG C63 Estate has arrived with power from the AMG GT and is taking aim at the four-wheel drive Audi RS4.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Engine is all-new in the Merc, while Audi's RS4 uses an older 4.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8.

Both estates offer plenty of room, as you would expect, but are capable of mixing it with the best of the sports car bunch as well. 

Both cars offer 490 litres of boot space, while they also both come with electric tailgates to make access that little bit easier. 

The Audi RS4 is a few years old now, but that doesn't mean it isn't any good. With a 4.2-litre V8 engine and Quattro four-wheel drive, it offers huge levels of traction and grip through the bends. 

Audi was only slightly slower than the Mercedes from 0-60mph, but its hefty torque disadvantage showed in our in-gear tests. 

The cabin looks a little dated in the RS4, but it's still impeccably put together with plenty of room and plush materials. 

Room in the rear is on a par with that of the Mercedes, but the high-backed front seats restrict the passengers' view of the road ahead. 

490-litre matches the Mercedes, but outright capacity trails the AMG slightly at 1,430 litres. 

Quattro all-wheel drive inspires great confidence in the RS4's abilities in all weather conditions. 

Engine is a willing performer, but you have to work it harder than the Mercedes to get the same results. That's no real hardship, though, as it sounds glorious when you really get going. 

Gaping grille, deep intakes and RS4 badges means there's no doubt this is a performance Audi. 

Large wheels, large rear diffuser and huge oval tailpipes complete the sporty look for the RS4.