7

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled its new flagship E-Class model in the shape of the 612PS E 63 4MATIC+ Estate ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Powered by the same four-litre V8 biturbo engine as its saloon car alternative, the new all-wheel drive premium estate car claims to deliver a 3.5 second sprint to 62mph, in high-performance ‘S’ guise – setting a new record for the class.

Prices and full specifications have yet to be released for the new model, which arrives in UK showrooms in April.

Helping the new performance estate car channel its 850Nm of toque to the tarmac is a new nine-speed MTC automatic transmission.

The brand claims that the newcomer is now more efficient, however, thanks to the standard fitments of a fuel-saving cylinder deactivation system.

Tobias Moers, chief executive of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, said: “The new AMG E 63 Estate combines our brand’s hallmark driving dynamics with high everyday practicality.

“It is not for nothing that the model has been a permanent fixture in the AMG portfolio for 40 years. The powerful engine and the intelligent all-wheel drive underpin our claim to always be at the forefront of development when it comes to performance.”

Among the styling highlights evident on the new E 63 Estate are more powerful-looking wheel arches which are 27 millimetres wider than the car’s predecessor and accommodate a greater track width and the larger wheels.

The brand claims that a wide front apron was inspired by the design of a jet wing, with flics in black and a large front splitter.

Side sill panels make the estate appear to sit lower on the road and elongate the overall line, meanwhile, with an apron insert sporting a diffuser and two high-gloss chrome-plated twin exhaust tailpipes at the rear.

The E 63,’s performance does not come at the cost of practicality when it comes to interior space. Its boot features a capacity of 640 to 1820 litres, the largest in the performance estate segment.

The standard-fit AMG Cylinder Management also manages to keep fuel consumption down, Mercedes-AMG claiming 31 mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 206g/km.

Owners will be able to choose whether to proiritise outright performance or a more civilised pace of progress via AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programmes.

The system provides “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport Plus” and “Individual” programmes to allow drivers to influence the characteristics of the E 63 Estate.

The S version also comes with the “RACE” drive programme designed especially for driving on closed race circuits. Here all parameters are set for maximum performance.

At the other end of the spectrum, the E 63 includes semi-autonomous technology in the form of DRIVE PILOT, which will assist the driver with semi-automated driving in traffic jams or on routine trips.

Mercedes me connect, Remote Online, meanwhile, offers a range of convenience features via smartphone, with a concierge service and personal services such as weather and stock-market information, route recommendations, or suggestions for sporting or cultural activities.

From launch, the E 63 S 4MATIC+ Estate will be available in “Edition 1” trim for around one year.

Paintwork in designo selenite grey magno or optionally in designo night black magno and the AMG Night package all feature on the specification list, with light grey stripes above the side sill panels and AMG 20-inch 7-twin-spoke forged wheels, painted in matt black with high-gloss polished rims.