These are the best shots yet of the new Mercedes E-class. Spotted testing on the streets of Germany this exec limo is shorn of most of its disguise. Only black tape covers the nose and tail. CAR has also snapped the E-class’s interior and the estate for the first time too, and both bodystyle will be available with as a diesel hybrid.
Mercedes E-class: the looks
Merc has replaced today’s quad headlamp look with CLS-style lights. The rest of the styling falls in line with Merc’s current line-up, becoming more angular, with flatter surfaces and sharper creases.
The wheelarches get the flared look that caused controversy on the current S-class. At the rear the lights are now split between the boywork and the boot.
Click ‘Next’ below to read about the Mercedes E-class’s interior and engines
Mercedes E-class: interior
Our interior shot was only grabbed as the E-class sped past, but it’s enough to make out the details. No gearstick is in view and it seems all E-classes will have a column-mounted stalk like the S, M, G and R-classes.
Low down on the centre console is the dial control for Merc’s latest entertainment system. This will display through the screen integrated and mounted high on the dash. But fear not technophobes because there appear to be enough buttons on the dash so that you won’t have to delve into computer hell every time you want to make a minor adjustment.
Mercedes E-class: the engines
Expect Merc’s usual line-up of engine and designations that don’t quite match. Powering the E-class should be 2.2 and 3.0-litre diesels, and everything from a 1.8-litre petrol up to a 6.2-litre V8.
The green news is the diesel hybrid. The 2.2-litre Bluetec-equipped engine, that drastically cuts NOx emissions, will be mated to a hybrid module for 2010. This will mean a total of 413lb ft, a mere 134g/km C02, and 55.4mpg. The base saloon will go on sale in mid-2009, priced from about £28k