8 Supercar Estates With Sub Zero Cool

What’s your favourite type of car? Clever, compact little city slickers? Classic American muscle? High-tech modern supercars? For me, it’s always been the super-estate, which, given I don’t have a big family or pets to cart around, is a bit odd. But y’see, there’s a lot to be said for the Q-car factor, and it’s just more outrageous when there’s a shed out back instead of a boot. And looking at this list, it’s the Germans who do it best. Which do you like the most?

Most ridiculous: 2008 Audi RS6 Avant

It looks so subtle, and thanks to Quattro all-wheel drive, it doesn’t slide off the road with its rear tyres on fire. So how can it be the most ridiculous? Like the Veyron, it’s a numbers game. Lamborghini-shared ten-cylinder engine. Twin turbos and 572bhp, which has never yet been beaten in the class. It also features 420mm front carbon discs and it’s over two tonnes. It’s just overkill in all areas to make your family the fastest on four wheels. (Although the fact the new one does 62mph in 3.9secs using two cylinders fewer has to be applauded...)

Honourable mention goes to the RS6’s sworn enemy, the BMW M5 Touring. Uglier yet cooler, with 70bhp less, but a normally aspirated V10 sound to make up for it.

Most surprising: Ford Focus ST

This shouldn’t really be here. I hate the way the new Focus looks as a hatch or an estate, inside and out. It’s also down a cylinder from the great old five-pot, and yet still has a drink problem. But it sounds the nuts, goes like a proper boosty hot hatch should, and it’s so tail-happy, you’d never end up putting anything in its massive boot: you might help the rear tyres stick. One of the best front-wheel drive all-rounders on sale today. Get on in black, feel like The Sweeney.

Most over-engined: Mercedes C63 AMG

The C63’s rivals from Audi and BMW use 4.0-litre and 4.2-litre V8s. The C-class is the smallest saloon in the class, and yet it packs a 6.2-litre motor. As an everyday hot rod, there’s little to beat it. Pity it’s auto-gearbox only, and pretty garish on the eye, but it’s wickedly over-engined, and it gets a thumbs up here.

Best bargain: Ford Mondeo ST220

Just to offset the German domination on here, respect to Ford for slotting a 226bhp V6 into a handsomely bodykitted and massive Mondeo. Great car, huge depreciation, and now available from around £2500. Bargain ahoy.

The one that got away: E46 M3 Touring

The BMW E46 is fast becoming a bargain: some decent versions of this great straight-six M3 are dropping below £10k. They never made a saloon and the cabrio is known to have jack-all structural stiffness. So, you’re stuck lusting after the coupe. True, it’s a real looker, but imagine that chassis with a workman’s body on top. This could’ve been as well-loved as the Audi below... way to drop the ball, Bavaria.

Best ever: Audi RS4 Avant

The new one’s too complicated and uncomfortable, and the old ones are now rare unmodified. But the 2005-gen RS4 was the moment Audi hit the nail on the head like never before or since. Still one of the best-looking Audis ever to hit the road, and easily the best I’ve ever driven. Future ownership hopes are high with this one...