► New Mercedes E-class leaked online
► Gallery of the new exec saloon
► Official debut at Detroit motor show
Pictures of the new Mercedes-Benz E-class were leaked online ahead of the car’s official debut at the Detroit motor show.
The images, which were published across multiple websites, showed the new 5-series and XF-rivalling exec saloon from every angle, inside and out.
The offical pictures have, however, now been published following the car’s debut at the Detroit motor show.
There’s something awfully familiar about the new Mercedes E-class…
There are more than a few shades of the smaller Mercedes C-class in the design, certainly – and the larger S-class, too.
Check out the image below putting the new E alongside the current C to see just how similar the two models appear. Still, uniform Russian doll design language hasn’t done Audi sales much harm.
The conservative styling isn’t a complete surprise; we’ve previously spied the new E-class virtually undisguised – read our scoop story here.
What about the interior?
Official (non-leaked) teaser pictures have already confirmed that the 2016 E-class features a widescreen digital instrument panel like that of the Mercedes S-class, and similarly swoopy wraparound surfaces curving from door to door.
Base models will make do with two round dials, but higher-spec variants can enjoy customisable displays, controlled via steering wheel-mounted thumbpads.
Click here for the full lowdown on the new E-class’s interior.
What else do we know about the 2016 E-class so far?
It’s far lighter than the car it replaces, with a large amount of aluminium content in its structure. The new car’s underpinned by the Daimler group’s latest ‘MRA’ rear-wheel-drive platform, and will feature a broad mix of engines, from four-pots to a new family of straight-sixes, with a choice of plug-in hybrid variants for good measure.
A smorgasbord of technology is promised, including semi-autonomous driving, fully autonomous parking by remote control, the ability to unlock the car by tapping your smartphone against the door handle, and more. Click here for a rundown of the electronic innovations on the new E.
The four-door saloon pictured arrives first, with further bodystyles – estate, coupe, convertible – to follow.
Come back soon for a full gallery and confirmed technical details from the E-class’s official debut at the 2016 Detroit show.