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2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Wagon Preview

You've got to love Mercedes-Benz for not only offering its C-Class sedan in all-powerful AMG guise, but also for the audacity it shows in doing likewise with its C wagon. Yes it's true if you haven't already heard, and should be great news to hurried families everywhere.

Of course, for many the regular C-Class wagon will be ample, what, with its best-in-segment cargo volume

C63 AMG is a real firebrand station wagon. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

of 52.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and impressive 3.5-liter V6 capable of 272 horsepower. With the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission and available 4Matic all-wheel drive (standard on certain models, no less), it sounds like a great all-year, all-round vehicle. But, of course, for those ungoverned few a mere 272 horsepower just won't do, which is why Mercedes-Benz took the initiative to drop in the same 6.3-liter V8 that it fit into the C-Class Sedan last year.

Yes, the little C-Class Wagon will now be available with the same V8 engine that all the other "63" series AMG cars have, including its bigger brother the E63 AMG Wagon. Due to issues of engine bay size, not to mention out of respect to the larger, more expensive sibling, output has been slightly downgraded to 451 horsepower from 507. Still, that'll make it a very quick cargo hauler, with Mercedes-Benz estimating a sprint to 60 mph from standstill in 4.5 seconds, and the ability to power on with great strength to its electronically limited 155 mph top speed.

The gearbox that this monster of an engine is mated to is a

Possesses a motor that'd make mincemeat out of just about any other station wagon. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

beefed up version of the 7G-Tronic with three different gearshift modes, including normal, sport and manual which blips the throttle upon each downshift. As is the custom at Mercedes-Benz, nothing as commonplace as a manual transmission will be offered.

Underneath, the C63 wagon gets the same chassis modifications as the sedan, including wider front and rear tracks, the front axle derived from the CLK 63 Black Series, and a set of high-performance brakes. Like the sedan, 18-inch wheels are standard equipment, though either car can be upgraded to 19-inchers at extra cost.

The C63 AMG Wagon will set European buyers back 58,700 euros, which is equal to about $86,000 dollars. Besides the engineering detail that these cars possess, including the bigger engine and revised underpinnings, you also get a bit of extra equipment. For instance, the EASY-PACK power liftgate is standard, and the cargo securing system, which is normally an option, is now standard. That's a pretty good thing considering that the level of G-forces this thing is capable of pulling might put your cargo at risk.

It'll handle well too thanks to the same suspension mods as the sedan. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

So, do you like what you see? Hopefully the C63 AMG Wagon won't be restricted for sale to Europe, as in the past we've only seen Stuttgart ship over the E55 AMG Sedan. Besides, with this one on our shores it might propagate the high-performance wagon market, and stir Audi and BMW to bring in their rivals as well. Now that really would shake up the go-fast family status quo, wouldn't it?

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