Images of the undisguised new Mercedes E-class have surfaced on the internet, prior to its official unveil at the Detroit motor show in January 2016. The next-gen E-class is expected go on sale internationally in six body styles, which will be introduced over the coming years, and will feature a line-up of four six and eight-cylinder diesel and petrol engines.
The styling on the exterior is now similar to that of the new S-class and C-class. As per the leaked images, some variants of the car will sport a grille identical to the S-class' – though test mules used a dual slat grille with a large centrally mounted three-point star logo – as well as similarly detailed LED headlamps.
Inside, the new E-class will get the same digital dashboard layout as the larger S-class. However, the current S-class uses two separate displays, but the new E-class will use dual 12.3-inch displays housed within a single unit.
The new system will be configurable by the driver, and Mercedes’ COMAND infotainment software will get an upgrade as well. Drivers will be able to choose from three themes – Classic, Sport and Progressive – each of which will alter the look of the instrument cluster as well as adjust the contents of each display. The displays can be controlled either through the touch-sensitive pads on either side of the steering or through the same touchpad controller already seen in majority of the models in Mercedes' range.
While most E-class models will get the dual displays as standard, the base Avantgarde versions in some markets will go with traditional dials with a colour display and an 8.4-inch central infotainment screen. The system will come with Apple CarPlay functionality, and Google’s Android Auto is expected to be available by the time the car goes on sale globally.
The new E-class will be offered in six body styles – sedan, long-wheelbase sedan, Maybach, estate, convertible and coupé. A high performance Mercedes-AMG E63, as well as a sporty E450 AMG that will slot in between the hardcore AMG and the standard sedan, will also be available globally.
The Maybach edition will be a global product, and will offer improved legroom and upgraded interiors with subtle design modifications on the outside, unlike the long-wheelbase version which is only expected in to go on sale in select countries and will be priced at a premium over the standard.
Under the hood, the E-class will get a family of new four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines in varying states of tunes. The four-cylinder diesel unit is expected to deliver an output between 148bhp to 228bhp on different variants, while the 3.0-litre V6 diesel from the current model is expected to be updated and carried forward. A twin-turbo straight-six diesel engine is also expected to make its debut in the new E-class.
In the petrol engine category, the four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol motor is expected to develop between 181bhp and 241bhp according to the variant. The car will also get an in-line six-cylinder turbo-petrol motor developing 329bhp in the E400, and 362bhp in the E450 AMG. The range-topping AMG model will be powered by the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 from the AMG C 63 and AMG GT.
A petrol hybrid model will also be available in the E350 e, with the possibility of a diesel hybrid.
The next-gen E-class will rival the likes of the BMW 5-series, Audi A6 and Jaguar XF when it launches globally next year. Like the China market, Mercedes is expected to make the E-class available in standard and long-wheelbase guises in India as well.