The Mercedes-AMG E63 S Estate Is A 603bhp Wagon From Hell

It’s been a pretty good day for estates, hasn’t it? We’ve already been inspecting the handsome new BMW 5-series Touring for starters, but there is a little problem with the load-lugging 5er: it’s unlikely there’ll ever be a hot M5 version. Over at camp AMG though, there’s no such problem, as evidenced by this new E63 estate.

Get the 603bhp, 626lb ft S version, and it’ll blast you from 0-62mph in a faintly ridiculous 3.5 seconds. That’s only a tenth down on the saloon version, and two tenths quicker than the Audi RS6 Performance. Mercedes says this means the E63 wagon “sets a new record in this class,” and we’re certainly struggling to think of a faster stock estate out there.

That’s seriously impressive given the 1995kg hulk of a car that 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 has to shift around (just over 100kg up from the saloon), although the standard-fit all-wheel drive system firing you off the line - while making a mess of your insides - will certainly help.

The entry level ‘non S’ model isn’t exactly far behind, either. With 563bhp and 552lb ft on tap, it’ll do the 0-62mph sprint just one tenth slower. You lose out on a lot of the toys however: it doesn’t get the switchable rear-wheel drive ‘Drift Mode’ of the S, the dynamic engine mounts nor the electronically controlled rear differential. All models get adjustable air suspension and a nine-speed automatic gearbox, however.

Want to know exactly how much luggage you can haul around at the silly speeds the E63 is capable of? With all seats up you’re looking at 640 litres, but fold the rear bench down and you have 1820 litres to play with.

It goes on sale in the UK this April, although if a mere gawp at it in the metal will satisfy you, it’ll be on display at the Geneva Motor Show in March.