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fashion ˜ lifestyle

How to get there from civilisation

Scotland can claim an unfair percentage of

the UK's � nest roads, but the A701 is easier

to get to than the Highland alternatives.

Take the M1, M6 and M74 towards Glasgow,

then turn right about 40 miles after Carlisle.

What's so great about it?

This is driving without distractions at its

� nest, passing through nothing more than

small villages after leaving Mo� at all the

way to the Edinburgh suburbs. It's a fast,

� owing A-road with sweeping corners

and long straights, and though it lacks the

towering peaks of the Highlands is every bit

as good as any you will � nd further north.

Any reasons to stop en route?

The Devil's Beef Tub is the evocative name

for a natural bowl in the hills about 10 miles

after Mo� at, which is often � lled with low

cloud. The pretty towns of Peebles and

West Linton are also easy diversions.

Best car to do it in?

The A701 is the perfect place to stretch

the legs of a grand tourer, so we're going

for a Maserati GranTurismo.

MOFFAT TO EDINBURGH

Total length: 47 miles

Great British Drives

fashion ˜ lifestyle

Your view of the new C63 is likely to be decided according

to which side of a fundamental divide you  nd yourself

on: do you prefer to stand out or to blend in? To have

people point and stare, or to slip by unnoticed?

Determined extroverts should look elsewhere, because

if discretion is the better part of valour then the C63 S is

the bravest car on the market. There are some visual clues that this

is the über version of the C-Class, but most people will see nothing

more than a compact saloon wearing a bodykit and a set of big alloy

wheels. Yet with 510bhp - 34bhp more than the standard C63 AMG

- the 'S' model is capable of outsprinting many supercars.

Those who prefer to whisper rather than shout will like the idea of

a car that looks so ordinary yet travels so quickly. The C63 S shares the

same twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the recently launched AMG GT

sportscar; indeed, it's the same motor that will ultimately  nd itself in

the next-generation Aston Martin Vantage. So there's no surprise that

it goes like a scalded cat when unleashed, with the chassis rising to the

task of keeping so much power pointed in the intended direction.

But it can be equally restrained when you want it to be. In 'Comfort'

mode, the chassis is almost as pliant as a standard C-Class, and the

well- nished cabin is a great place to spend serious time. Subtle, it is.

Best bits: Enormous performance, brilliant cabin.

Worst bits: Pricey to buy, too discreet for some.

Mike Du� is European editor for Car and Driver Magazine

MERCEDESAMG C63 S

Price: £66,730

Engine: 4.0 litre supercharged V8.

Power: 510bhp

0-62mph: 4.0 seconds

Top speed: 155mph (limited)

Economy: 34.4mpg

MERCEDES�AMG C63 S

If you want to travel very quickly without standing out, this could be the best car in the world

It goes like a scalded

cat when unleashed