Very few people know exactly what it takes to photograph a car. You need to have the right distance and the right shutter speed to get a complete image of an object usually measuring between 4 and 5 meters and traveling at high speed.
That’s why we are surprised to see this E-Class sedan prototype in such revealing shots. We knew there were a few images taken, but two minutes of video footage is even better if you ask us.
The W213 E-Class sedan is almost completely undisguised. Only the headlights and a bit of the front fascia are still hidden. Meanwhile, the S213 E-Class wagon is more heavily clad in the wrap, suggesting its debut will happen a few months later (Geneva in March 2016?).
We’ve grown accustomed to the way Mercedes constantly strips the camouflage to draw attention. And it’s not that the all-new E-Class has kept everything hidden either.
We’ll be sorry to see the current generation go. After they had given it a significant refresh, it became a great German machine, but the replacement will be even better. The same tech goodies used by the S-Class will be offered, perhaps even better ones in some regards.
One of the major highlights is a new part assist system that allows you to get out of the car and tell the vehicle to move into a designated bay via smartphone. It’s so good that we’d forgive Mercedes for using only capital letters to name it.
Of course, it’s long been established that the E-Class will become a little longer in the wheelbase. The engineers used the MLB platform to make it, so it should also be lighter and stiffer.
The engines are the bit that really puzzle us. For example, previous reports suggested the development of something like a 2.9-liter, twin-turbo inline-six is well underway. However, the statements that followed the start of the Dieselgate scandal suggest all diesel engine development is being dropped in favor of hybrid systems.
In any case, Mercedes has great 2-liter and 3-liter turbo petrol engines that they can stick into the W213 E-Class. All that’s needed now is the right V8 for the AMGs, and we’re set.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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