Shooting brakes were conceived and crafted to carry people and their assorted gear on hunting trips. Go hunting in the CLS 63 AMG S version and sports cars become fair game. That's preposterous for a luxury vehicle that's the curvaceous offspring of a four-door coupe and a wagon … but the big Merc is a preposterous kind of car.

VALUE

At this end of the market, the "transaction price" can be distinctly different from the sticker price. Which is a good thing when the official cost is $265,145 before on-roads. The money buys the best looking wagon on the market - everyone's tried to copy the CLS look and the shooting brake variant is just as attractive.

It will pack five grown-ups and their luggage in a cabin fitted with premium leather, heated and cooled front seats, tri-zone aircon and a Harman Kardon surround sound system for the digital radio.

It also has the full suite of Mercedes-Benz driver assistan...