Will we see the next generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class before 2022 is out? That question remains unanswered, but new spy photos from Germany show a test vehicle with little camouflage. The stately sedan looks ready for primetime.
That applies to interiors too. We were treated to one image of the dashboard and front seats, giving us our best look at the all-new layout. The cover covers most of the dashboard, but it’s impossible to miss the large center display that drops down, as you can see in the EQE. We can also see the glass cockpit extending to the passenger’s side, in keeping with the fully digital layout offered in other new Mercs. Our source says the 11.9-inch display from the C-Class will be standard, with the 12.9-inch OLED screen from the S-Class available as an option.
Aside from a few wires and stickers used for testing, the interior looks production-ready and the exterior is no different. The camouflage wrap is found only on the front and rear clips, almost identical to our previous E-Class prototype sighting in November. This time around, there’s no janky rear-mounted trailer hitch, and the wheel/tire combination looks like a production setup. The black finish on this Benz features a new body line near the belt line, sweeping from front to back with a break in the middle. Details on the front are kept under wraps, although we know thinner headlights and a larger grille are there.
Under the skin, every E-Class will feature some form of electrification with its powertrain. 48-volt mild-hybrid technology is standard issue, with some hybrid and plug-in hybrid trims expected. That applies especially to the AMG variant, which will almost certainly rely on an electric motor to increase power. That’s not to say the twin-turbocharged V8 is going away like with the new C63 SE Performance. But if it survives, it will almost certainly use an electric motor.
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It’s still possible we could see his official debut before 2022 ends. If that happens it could be the 2023 model but if Mercedes pushes its reveal to next year, the new E-Class will likely be a 2024 model year vehicle.
Look Rambling About Cars podcasts for more new vehicle debuts from various automakers, available below.
