Mercedes E63 AMG

Price: £74,115Engine: 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 549bhpTorque: 720Nm0-62mph: 4.2 secondsTop speed: 155mph

Big sports saloons don’t get much better than the Mercedes E63 AMG. With its twin turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 engine and lively rear-drive chassis this is a saloon that hides real muscle car personality beneath its sober-suited executive car body.

There’s a choice of saloon or estate body styles, while the 577bhp S version is aimed at buyers who want the absolute ultimate in performance and are willing to pay big money for the privilege. And while it’s beginning to look a little dated, the upmarket and well-equipped cabin goes someway to justifying the price tag.