Mercedes-Benz is trimming its range of niche cars, but there’s still space for a large wagon.
The next-generation E-Class wagon has been snapped testing in Europe, wearing a face inspired by the C-Class and a tail end that’s a gentle evolution of the current car.
As before, this prototype has what look like production headlights and tail lights covered in camouflage. The side profile appears to have cleaner details than the outgoing model.
Its headlights look larger and more angular than the current E-Class, in keeping with the S-Class, with a larger grille that’s set lower and has more of a shield shape.
At this stage, the next Mercedes-Benz E-Class is expected to be revealed during 2023 as a 2024 model. The current, W213-generation E-Class first arrived in Australia in mid-2016 and received a facelift in 2020.
Diesel engines and an All-Terrain wagon body style were available here, before being withdrawn in 2021.
Given Mercedes-Benz ruled the C-Class wagon out for our market and appears all-in on SUVs, it’s unlikely we’ll see another E-Class estate in Australia.
The E-Class is the middle child of Mercedes-Benz’s combustion-engined, rear-/all-wheel drive sedan trio. The new generation will follow the redesigned S-Class launched locally in 2021, and the new C-Class launched this year.
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t confirmed what’ll be under the bonnet of this new E-Class, but a range of 48V mild-hybrid turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel powertrains are expected, along with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options.
It’s unclear whether the E-Class will follow the smaller C-Class in offering only four-cylinder powertrains across both the core and AMG ranges.
Currently, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is offered with a choice of three turbocharged four-cylinder engines, one of which is mated with a plug-in hybrid system.
Stepping up to the AMG range, however, gets you a turbocharged inline-six in the E53 and a twin-turbo V8 in the E63.
The W214 E-Class’ design language seems to be more evolutionary than revolutionary, and it has a strong family resemblance with the C-Class and S-Class.
Inside is where the the most substantial visual changes are set to take place, with the new E-Class expected to adopt a portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system like the C-Class and S-Class.
The E-Class already has an all-electric alternative in the form of the EQE sedan.
Featuring a different silhouette to the more conventional E-Class, plus the option of Mercedes-Benz’s humongous MBUX Hyperscreen, the EQE rides on a dedicated electric architecture.
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