All the car you'll ever need. Is that a thing? It feels like, with these three cars, it could be. We've got three super estates together, cars that are meant to do everything from entertain you to transporting a family and a brace of golden retrievers, to see which is the car to rule them all.
One is the all-new Audi RS6 Avant TFSI Quattro. Like the others, we'll drop its full specification below but also like the others, it's a 4.0-litre, four-wheel drive car with a V8.
The Mercedes-AMG E63 S Estate 4Matic+ brings with it a more rear-biased four-wheel drive setup and a little more power than the Audi but there's not much between them on straight-line speed, power, price, or economy.
The slight outlier is the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, largely because of the 'E-Hybrid' bit. While it still has a 4.0 V8 - goody - it also has plug-in hybrid assistance, which means you might do your weekly commute without using any fuel at all. The system adds weight and price, but also power. It has lots more than the competitors.
Which, though, is the finest super estate on earth? Join Matt Prior and James Disdale as they sit in a car together and talk it out. At some length.
Specifications:
Audi RS6 Avant TFSI QuattroPrice £96,910 Engine V8, 3996cc, twin-turbo, petrol, plus 48V ISG Power 591bhp at 6000-6250rpm Torque 590lb ft at 2050-4500rpm Gearbox 8-spd automatic Kerb weight 2075kg 0-62mph 3.6sec Top speed 155mph Fuel consumption 22.1-22.6mpg CO2 263-268g/km
Mercedes-AMG E63 S Estate 4Matic+ Night Edition Premium PlusPrice £101,565 Engine V8, 3982cc, twin-turbo, petrol Power 603bhp at 5750-6500rpm Torque 627lb ft at 2500-4500rpm Gearbox 8-spd automatic Kerb weight 2075kg 0-62mph 3.5sec Top speed 180mph Fuel consumption 22.8mpg CO2 282g/km
Porsche Panamera Turbo S E -Hybrid Sport TurismoPrice £142,350 Engine V8, 3996cc, twin-turbo, petrol, plus electric motor Power 690bhp at 5750-6000rpm Torque 642lb ft at 1500-5500rpm Gearbox 8-spd dual-clutch automatic Kerbweight 2365kg 0-62mph 3.2sec Top speed 196mph Battery size 17.9kWh (total), 14.3kWh (usable) Fuel consumption 94.2-97.4mpg Electric range 31 miles CO2 65-69g/km
Estate of the nation: Audi RS6 Avant vs Panamera Turbo S and AMG E63 S
2020 Audi RS6 Avant video review: 3.3sec 0-60mph estate tested
Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo 2021 UK review
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Aren't these cars effectively pointless? If you want a do-it-all for this country, you probably need a less wide option with a softer ride than these 'sporty' wagons.
Like, for example a Skoda Superb, available in vRS and hybrid options. Ok, you don't get the high power 6 or 8 cylinder soundtrack and blistering 3 seconds of acceleration, but in all other respects I would expect it is as effective as these, much cheaper and way less obtrusive.