New E Class to premiere at 2016 Detroit Motor Show.
New images of the next gen Mercedes E Class (W213) have surfaced online, revealing the exterior design and features in store. Below is a pictorial comparison between the new E Class and the outgoing model (W212), covering key changes and upgrades.
Exterior:
The new E Class is an evolutionary step up over the outgoing model, featuring a more-rounded design that borrows heavy inspiration from the new C Class and S Class. However, while the outgoing model had a distinctive, sharp design, the new E Class blurs the lines between its two brothers.
Mercedes is yet to reveal details though according to past reports, the new E Class is estimated to be 65 mm longer in wheelbase and 43 mm longer in overall length over its predecessor. It gets new Multibeam LED headlamp and taillamp designs, different bumper and grille designs, new alloy rim designs, and more chrome accents.
Interior:
Like the exterior, the interior design of the new Mercedes E Class combines design cues borrowed from the Mercedes S Class and C Class, yet being an evolutionary upgrade over the aging, button-infested design of the outgoing model.
The upper section of the dashboard appears to be taken straight from the Mercedes S Class, featuring two 12.1 inch displays for the driver and the COMAND infotainment system, four round air vents in the center, and a flowing dashboard design. Note that lower variants will get an analog, traditional cluster with a multi-information display and a smaller COMAND display.
The center console is inspired by the C Class, and houses sleek buttons for the climate system controls and an analogue clock.
Engine and Transmission:
Although not officially divulged, reports suggest that it will get next generation inline four- and six-cylinder modular petrol and diesel engines married to 6-speed manual and the 9-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmissions. The range-topping AMG variant with the 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 engine will continue with a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT gearbox.
