Wednesday 30th November 2011

Is Merc readying a Black Series wagon?

Fans of fast estates rejoice - Black Series tweaks might just be on their way to a C-Class near you

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A hi-tech PH impression of how a C63 Black Series wagon could look

"We will never do a four-door or drop-top Black Series". This is what a senior AMG source told us when they gave us a sneak peek of the new C63 AMG Coupe Black Series back in July.

At the time, we assumed this to mean that Merc would not stray from the coupe formula for its most deranged AMG creations. We were wrong.

Mmmm....6.2-litre V8s....

Because, if the spy shots floating around the internet are anything to go by, AMG is working on an estate version of the Black Series C63. (We don't have spy shots but Riggers does have a rusty copy of Photoshop - ed.) Which means that, beneath the bonnet of the labrador-lugging, family-friendly C-Class Merc will lie the same 517hp, 457lb ft version of Merc's 6.2-litre V8, coupled with a 7-speed MCT transmission.

What it also means (we presume) is that the adjustable suspension, wide track, LSD and various optional extras for on-track trickery. Of course, this is all so much conjecture at the moment; Mercedes has said nothing official

Of course, we should have worked out in the summer that this car was coming - after all, the AMG man only said that they wouldn't do a four-door Black Series. He said nothing about five doors...

[Oelholm]

The AMG Harlequin series, it would seem

[kambites]

Will they take the back seats out to make it lighter? It'd be the world's fastest production van.

[Riggers]

Oelholm said:

The AMG Harlequin series, it would seem

...and do you like the extra negative camber on the front wheels?

[SWoll]

Don't like the colour scheme and is it just me or are the rear wheels a different size/style to the fronts.

Very strange. I wouldn't buy one.

Just thought I'd get in first as someone is bound to post this without reading the article

[NavSat]

Riggers said:

Oelholm said:

The AMG Harlequin series, it would seem

...and do you like the extra negative camber on the front wheels?

and the rear spoiler

[Mx5guy]

SWoll said:

Don't like the colour scheme and is it just me or are the rear wheels a different size/style to the fronts.

Very strange. I wouldn't buy one.

Just thought I'd get in first as someone is bound to post this without reading the article

I was about to post that you should read the article as it mentions it is a photoshop, then I re-read your reply and saw you'd added the footnote. Could have been embarrasing!

[Riggers]

NavSat said:

Riggers said:

Oelholm said:

The AMG Harlequin series, it would seem

...and do you like the extra negative camber on the front wheels?

and the rear spoiler

...you mean half-spoiler...

[RemainAllHoof]

I quite like the idea of stupidly powerful estates. If I had a family, I'd get one.

[arkenphel]

Mercedes already do stupidly powerful estates. This undermines the 'Black' label, in that the label was forged to make standard AMGs more hardcore performance oriented. Making an estate, which itself in already a compromised design in terms of performace and handling, just spoils the aspiration of the Black series branding.

Sort of like an M3 CSL/ GTS wagon.

Still funny as a sort of German Joke, though.

[garypotter]

Perfect for the wife to go to Tesgo's (other branded supermarkets are available subject to terms and conditions)

[WCZ]

arkenphel said:

Mercedes already do stupidly powerful estates. This undermines the 'Black' label, in that the label was forged to make standard AMGs more hardcore performance oriented. Making an estate, which itself in already a compromised design in terms of performace and handling, just spoils the aspiration of the Black series branding.

Sort of like an M3 CSL/ GTS wagon.

Still funny as a sort of German Joke, though.

the point in estate cars to carry things (more weight) so with the weight savings of the black series it ofsets some of your tesco shopping and your dog, it's absolutely bonkers, that's why it has to be praised!

[RemainAllHoof]

garypotter said:

Perfect for the wife to go to Tesgo's (other branded supermarkets are available subject to terms and conditions)

Nah... we have luxury SUVs for that... shopping utility vehicles.

[RB Will]

Riggers said:

NavSat said:

Riggers said:

Oelholm said:

The AMG Harlequin series, it would seem

...and do you like the extra negative camber on the front wheels?

and the rear spoiler

...you mean half-spoiler...

Are you guys on about the roof rail only being on 1 side?

[Matt UK]

RB Will said:

Riggers said:

NavSat said:

Riggers said:

Oelholm said:

The AMG Harlequin series, it would seem

...and do you like the extra negative camber on the front wheels?

and the rear spoiler

...you mean half-spoiler...

Are you guys on about the roof rail only being on 1 side?

Look through the back window. The half-spoiler is there to balance out the half-roof-rails.

Very clever bit of design, that.

[mike325112]

RemainAllHoof said:

shopping utility vehicles.

[14-7]

NavSat said:

Riggers said:

Oelholm said:

The AMG Harlequin series, it would seem

...and do you like the extra negative camber on the front wheels?

and the rear spoiler

And the single roof bar and different alloys on the rear. Can't see that being specced on many cars myself.

[SWoll]

Mx5guy said:

SWoll said:

Don't like the colour scheme and is it just me or are the rear wheels a different size/style to the fronts.

Very strange. I wouldn't buy one.

Just thought I'd get in first as someone is bound to post this without reading the article

I was about to post that you should read the article as it mentions it is a photoshop, then I re-read your reply and saw you'd added the footnote. Could have been embarrasing!

I'm assuming when you clicked quote it all became clear.

Only just dicovered the whole 'footnote' thing. Think it might come in quite useful in future.

Back to the article though, I agree completely with everyone who is suggesting that a black series estate is ridiculous. Black series should be about ultimate dynamics and focus, balls to practicality.

I'm sure they would sell but then MB would have to invent another brand after diluting 'Black Series ' in the same way as standard 'AMG'.

[richard300]

Next F1 Pacecar edition?

[Froomee]

14-7 said:

NavSat said:

Riggers said:

Oelholm said:

The AMG Harlequin series, it would seem

...and do you like the extra negative camber on the front wheels?

and the rear spoiler

And the single roof bar and different alloys on the rear. Can't see that being specced on many cars myself.

Not sure about the tints on one side or the one odd wheel on the back left corner, maybe you get a normal c-class wheel as a spare and they have put it on for demonstration.............


All jokes aside i really like fast estates i.e. M5, RS4 and the C63 so why not make another

[Gizmo!]

Froomee said:

All jokes aside i really like fast estates i.e. M5, RS4 and the C63 so why not make another

I wish there was an M3 Touring.