Introduction
Mercedes-AMG is known for taking the premium and comfortable standard Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and turning them into raucous road-munchers that are almost impossible to ignore.
The E-Class Estate is one such example, and when AMG decided to fit it with the same 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that they put in the E63 S saloon, you get the E63 S 4Matic+ Estate.
Despite the increase in space and weight, it offers almost identical performance figures to the saloon version – and when you think about it, that is quite an impressive feat.
This does mean that it falls into the firing line of the ruthless and no-less-remarkable Audi RS6 Avant. So can the E63 S Estate live up to both the Audi and its own saloon sibling? We take a look…
Performance
First off, the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 604bhp and 850Nm of torque. Secondly, you get a nine-speed automatic gearbox, and finally, you get the Mercedes 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system. Combined, that means the sprint to 60mph is over in 3.3 seconds and it can go on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Although it wasn’t fitted to the car we tested, owners can specify the AMG Driver’s Pack to increase the top speed to 180mph.
Paired with adaptive air suspension to take in all the bumps and firm up when you want that extra performance, the E63 S even has a drift mode for extra fun on the track – if you ever want to take your practical car there. When you take it on the road, it is truly bipolar – as it can go from being a calm and comfortable cruiser to truly savage when you put your foot down.
Ride & Handling
Despite the added weight of the estate, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference if you had jumped from the saloon into the wagon. The E63 S feels stable and easy to direct, but you can feel that it is longer down narrower roads making you feel more conscious. With torque vectoring paired with the four-wheel drive system, the power is spread around the chassis evenly when needed – meaning a composed ride throughout. Grip also isn’t that difficult to muster up either.
On the motorway, it is as poised as you would want it to be thanks to the adaptive air suspension and it can feel astronomically quick whatever mode you have the drive select system in.
Interior & Equipment
Despite the extreme performance, Mercedes still fits the E63 S Estate with an upmarket interior to make you feel comfortable and like you’re getting your money’s worth. As with the saloon version, you get leather upholstery, a dual-screen that sweeps across the central console that includes two 12.3-inch displays.
Exterior equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels, an electronic limited-slip differential and red brake calipers, while inside you get AMG leather sports seats, a leather sports steering wheel and a leather upper dashboard – meaning the interior has a very premium feel.
As you would expect from an estate, the rear space is cavernous at 640 litres with the rear seats up, while you get an excellent 1,820 litres with the rear seats down – so despite the supreme performance, you still get the practicality.
One thing you have to consider is that there are many optional extras available to you, but there isn’t much you need to add to make it a comfortable place to be.
Cost
You have to accept that the E63 S Estate has a starting price of £90,490, but if you choose to add optional extras to make it more to your liking, you should expect to see a six-figure bill coming your way.
Running costs as well may be difficult to swallow, as even with cylinder deactivation fuel consumption is 30.1mpg at best. Emissions are quoted as 214g/km CO2 – meaning very high road tax costs as well. Due to the high power output and performance, insurance is also pretty steep.
Verdict
Yes, it is expensive, yes, it is large, and yes, it can be imposing. But you should ignore all of that and just accept that this car is absolutely superb. You get the practicality of an estate and the speed of the AMG saloon counterpart, which combines to form an absolute monster. It is well-worth the money and one of the best wagons on the market today.