I didn’t potter down to the supermarket as usual last Saturday morning; instead, I took the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class C63 AMG for a drive near Frankfurt. “Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h,” Mercedes warned. Oh, well, that would have to do.

Brazenly, with no hint of shame or apology, the speedo needle wound round to that very figure, which translates to a fraction more than 155mph. There was no drama, no danger – and no police concern. The German autobahn really is a mature experience.

But this remarkable car has even more in store. Mercedes offers the optional Performance Package, which, together with some driver training, increases its permitted top speed to about 170mph. Even that is well within its limits. In theory, and on ultra-high-speed tyres, it could probably reach 200mph, not bad for what is basically a five-seat family model available as a saloon or estate car.

The environmental downside to such potential is an average fuel consumption of about 21mpg and CO2 level of about 320g/km. That may be pretty hefty, but it is nowhere near as high as figures for some other cars in this category. The Mercedes is a good deal cheaper, too: estimated price for the estate (delivery mid-2008) is in the region of £53,000, with the saloon (March 2008) about £1,000 less.

Despite its 6.2litre 451bhp V8 engine, impressive seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox and a 0-62mph time of 4.6sec, the Mercedes is also very much about handling. It takes barely 30 seconds to appreciate the integration of precisely weighted, tack-sharp steering, all-new wide-track front suspension and a complex multi-link system at the rear, optional 19-inch wheels, massive brakes and cleverly designed, huggy seats.

Together they make this a gem of a car for drivers who want direct, dynamic handling and fine engineering. An electronic stability programme (ESP) with a Sport setting keeps nannying to a minimum. On winding mountain roads, the balance and rhythm of the Mercedes’s ride and handling are undisturbed and four exhaust tailpipes make it a thunderer.

In estate form, the C63 AMG must rank as one of the world’s most complete cars in terms of performance, carrying capability, comfort, looks and quality. And an optional opening panoramic roof gives it almost a convertible feel. But those CO2 figures cannot be ignored.

So the alternative is to ease your conscience and the pressure on your wallet by choosing a tamer C-Class Estate (about £24,000-£35,000), available next March, with a choice of eight petrol or diesel engines and CO2 emissions from a modest 157g/km. The C-Class Estate has earned an international ISO-standard environmental certificate for its development process, Mercedes said.

Unlike its curvy-tailed predecessor, the rear of the new car is more upright to give 53 cubic feet of total load space. It can carry 44 drinks crates each containing six one-litre juice bottles – or a two-seat sofa.

Maximum usable load area length is now 9ft 3in. The powered tailgate opens and closes automatically, a securing bar ensures that smaller loads do not undergo a moving experience, there are a couple of hooks and a nifty concertina-like expanding bag to carry shopping and wine bottles.

Based on the highly competent new C-Class saloon, but with slightly longer wheelbase, the Estate comes in SE form with traditional Mercedes radiator grille and three-pointed bonnet star, or as the Sport, with wide radiator grille and central star.

PRE-SAFE occupant protection is standard. No airbag for the dog, though; a “doggy bag” is not really practical, the Mercedes experts say.

In either guise, the Estate moves smoothly, quietly, quickly, has sharp handling and gets very high marks for everything that matters. The 221bhp, six-cylinder diesel 320 CDI is a fine cruiser, but the 168bhp 220 CDI offers an excellent combination of assets: 0-62mph in 8.9sec, top speed 139mph, combined fuel consumption 46mpg, CO2 emissions 159g/km.

That’s just the vehicle to take to the supermarket on a Saturday morning, although, for true supermarket car park superiority, the C63 AMG Estate is just possibly the best thing since sliced bread.

Specification

Car Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate

Engine 451bhp, 6.2 litres, V8, torque 600 Nm at 5,000rpm

Transmission Seven-speed auto

Performance 0-62mph 4.6sec, top speed 155mph (limited)

Fuel consumption (combined) 20.6mpg

CO2 emissions 326g/km

Price £53,000 (estimated)

On sale mid2008 (other C-Class Estates from March)

Alternative Audi RS4 Avant quattro (expected to be replaced by new version) four-wheel drive, towering performance, quality

motoring@thetimes.co.uk