With the apparently unstoppable rise of the performance SUV (more on this shortly) many of us have been preparing obituaries for the fast estate car. With focus shifting to the F-Pace there's no Sportbrake in the new XF range so no
XFR version
in the wings and BMW has long since given up on M Tourings, given the last time it tried with the E60 M5 it was outsold by the saloon 10 to one.
Three cheers for AMG then, the sight of a disguised estate version of the
new E-Class
sprouting quad exhausts, fat wheels and big brakes suggesting there's at least one manufacturer willing to cater to this small niche of fast wagon enthusiasts. We've already seen next-gen versions of both
new E63 and BMW M5
out testing before but apparent confirmation of an estate version can definitely rank among reasons to be cheerful.
We still don't know a huge amount about the new E63 but from talking to AMG boss Tobias Moers at the New York show he's obviously determined AMG will stick with its signature big V8s for as long as humanly possible. And it's nice to know that in this age of the GLE63 Coupe and its ilk there's still development time for these to feature in more under the radar wagons. The outgoing E63's 585hp in S trim has to be considered a minimum though - 600hp possible for the new one? There's an appealing prospect!
Previously revealed by Moers is the news that the next E63 will also use the dedicated AMG rear axle and suspension developed for the
C63 Coupe
. The considerable investment required in engineering hardware like this underlines AMG's independent resource and spirit and Mercedes' commendable willingness to support both. Practically speaking its stiffer components, more rigid attachment to the body (all but a couple of links use solid mounts) and dedicated geometry permit AMG's chassis engineers far more say in how the car handles, Moers saying it offers significantly greater precision.
Given the pending range of '43-branded 'sub' AMGs it's vital the senior models maintain this separation too, though the idea of a super stealthy, 401hp, four-wheel drive E43 estate does also rather appeal. More when we have it.
[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]