Mercedes C-Class

The mag's spies caught the barely disguised load-lugger undergoing final testing, and fans of the practical old model can breathe a sigh of relief.

That's because Mercedes hasn't been tempted to produce a Touring-style model with a fashionable tapering roofline that eats into space. Instead, a near-vertical tailgate will optimise carrying capacity.

The stylish nose will be familiar to fans of the new saloon, and the big carrier is likely to join its four-door brother in the line-up later this year. Our photographers also managed to catch the hot AMG variant being put through its paces at the Nürburgring. The saloon will go head-to-head with the stunning new BMW M3 when it hits dealers and, as with its rival, the Merc looks set to get a V8. Tell-tale signs include the test mule's quad exhausts and bonnet bulge, which is nec­essary to accommodate the 6.3-litre engine. Huge alloys will deliver lots of grip, and with the car having the sporty new C-Class as a basis, engineers are keen to at least match the BMW for ride and handling. The C63 AMG is tipped to debut at this autumn's Frankfurt Motor Show.