Mercedes-Benz C-Class C63 2012 review

Cubic capacity is still the definitive measure of engine performance and luggage space. Package them together and you have the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate (Euro-speak for wagon). It's a leather-lined load lugger that will take the family on holidays at hyperdrive speeds.

Value

The Merc wagon's $154,800 price may be more than two year's average wages but it's also good value for money. No one else competes in this field - the closest you can get is the BMW 335i M Sport Estate at $112,600. The Beemer is a very, very capable car but it can't touch this.

HSV's R8 Tourer isn't in this league either - it can't handle or hustle like the C63 can and the Commodore-based interior doesn't pretend to be this luxurious. Audi doesn't play here either - the wicked RS4 Avant isn't sold in Australia. That leaves the C63 Merc sitting pretty... unless you want to upsize to the biturbo 5.5-litre E63 Estate at $244,500.

Technology

A seven-speed automated manual transmission endows the Merc with the ability to sip fuel at a modest 12.3 litres/100km. Not that most owners will ever see that - the temptation to drop the boot into the 6.2-litre V8 and provoke an exhaust snarl that humbles local V8s is just too much to resist.

This is the best-sounding engine in the Mercedes-Benz garage and with 336kW and 600Nm on tap, it goes as hard as it sounds. The Carsguide test vehicle was fitted with the $14,900 performance package, which adds 22kW thanks to lightweight engine internals and puts composite brakes inside a set of 19-inch rims.

Styling

Sexy and wagon shouldn't be used in the same sentence, but the Merc has enough panache to satisfy the fussiest fashionista. The tapering roofline removes the traditional slab-sided wagon look without sacrificing load capacity.

Front on, it sets the standard in this class, which helps explain why the C-Class is the best-selling prestige range on the market. The red leather interior is as subdued as the exhaust note and reminds passengers and passers-by that this is a performance car.

Safety

A three-stage stability control program is standard on the AMG and gives owners the option taking to the track and setting the program to their level of competence. The default mode keeps everything reined in; the next stage lets the tail hang out and all bets are off when the system is deactivated.

The composite brakes - complete with red calipers - are neck-achingly good and won't fade this side of an assault on the Phillip Island circuit. The taut suspension sacrifices compliance over ruts and bumps for virtually no body roll and optimal tyre positioning when the pressure is on - just what you'd expect from a sports car. Xenon headlights have enough range to match the C63's pace and the safety pack is rounded out with adaptive cruise control, a fatigue detection system and nine airbags.

Driving

Express delivery has never been so much fun. A dial on the centre console sharpens the transmission response from .2 of a second in the regular mode to .1 of a second in Sport +, and then there's launch control if you want to go from rest to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. 

Queue manic laughter and looks from passengers that range from startled to outright scared. Don't put the dog in the back to test it, though, unless you've got Velcro paw mitts - the poor beast won't be able to deal with the G-forces. The steering is light on centre but weights up nicely with pace and cornering angle and if you can afford to fry the 30-profile rear tyres, this is a wagon built for precision drifting.