Many of today’s performance cars are simply loud when they’re standing still. They just look aggressive with their over-the-top aero and yawning grilles, giving away their intent before they even start to move. However, there was a time when manufacturers could be more subtle, and this was the case for Mercedes-Benz in 2005. It brought a particular wagon into the US in vanishingly small numbers that turned out to be the ultimate sleeper buy. When parked, it looked perfect for school runs or airport pickups, but beneath the surface it had enough torque to embarrass contemporary sports cars. And today, collectors have rediscovered its existence.
Â
