Photo: SB-Medien
The 1 billion euros Mercedes-Benz invested in the current E-Class facelift may have made the model the most expensive facelift in the 126-year history of the automobile, but that doesn’t mean the mid-size luxury sedan is timeless. As expected, the German engineers are working on the next-generation E-Class and now we have the first spyshots.
A bit of stalking: the platform
We did spy the 2017 E-Class before, but the vehicle was disguised as a C-Class, so now all that sits between us and Merc’s new star (no pun intended) is that camouflage. In fact, the connection between the E-Class and the 2015 C-Class goes deeper than that, since they share the automaker’s MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform.
As with any architecture transformation of this kind, the move means that while the E-Class could grow in size a little, the vehicle will be lighter thanks to the use of aluminum - dynamics and efficiency alike will benefit from this. While we’re not sure about the overall length, the mid-size luxury sedan is expected to have a longer wheelbase, which will be translated into superior rear passenger space.
We have to remember that the sedan we see here may serve quite a lot of purposes, from showroom hardware to taxi car, but the E-Class family is much larger than that. Aside from the station wagon, coupe and convertible, the E also serves as a base for the car that popularised the four-door coupe segment, the CLS. As with the current model, the next CLS (third generation) should be offered in coupe and shooting brake form.
Speaking of the AMG, we’ll see the new 4.0-liter V8 in the next E63 AMG. Once again, the Affalterbach machine will receive all-wheel drive as an option, while the S model will also be offered - the current E63 AMG S Model is one manic machine that can beat the Porsche Panamera Turbo S to 60 mph.
By the way, Mercedes never offered an AMG version for the current E-Class coupe due to cannibalisation reasons and since the model will move slightly upmarket due to the same pattern being followed by the upcoming C-Class Coupe, that decision may be here to stay.
In addition, you should expect more than one green energy version to accompany the AMGs.
We did spy the 2017 E-Class before, but the vehicle was disguised as a C-Class, so now all that sits between us and Merc’s new star (no pun intended) is that camouflage. In fact, the connection between the E-Class and the 2015 C-Class goes deeper than that, since they share the automaker’s MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform.
As with any architecture transformation of this kind, the move means that while the E-Class could grow in size a little, the vehicle will be lighter thanks to the use of aluminum - dynamics and efficiency alike will benefit from this. While we’re not sure about the overall length, the mid-size luxury sedan is expected to have a longer wheelbase, which will be translated into superior rear passenger space.
We have to remember that the sedan we see here may serve quite a lot of purposes, from showroom hardware to taxi car, but the E-Class family is much larger than that. Aside from the station wagon, coupe and convertible, the E also serves as a base for the car that popularised the four-door coupe segment, the CLS. As with the current model, the next CLS (third generation) should be offered in coupe and shooting brake form.
Propulsion
At the base of the 2017 E-Class line-up, we'll find new three- and four-cylinder engines, while the rumor mill also talks about the German carmaker returning to straight six engines - just like the new AMG twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 is made of two 2.0-liter 4-cylinder AMG blocks, the straight six will share parts with the 3- and 4-pot mills.Speaking of the AMG, we’ll see the new 4.0-liter V8 in the next E63 AMG. Once again, the Affalterbach machine will receive all-wheel drive as an option, while the S model will also be offered - the current E63 AMG S Model is one manic machine that can beat the Porsche Panamera Turbo S to 60 mph.
By the way, Mercedes never offered an AMG version for the current E-Class coupe due to cannibalisation reasons and since the model will move slightly upmarket due to the same pattern being followed by the upcoming C-Class Coupe, that decision may be here to stay.
In addition, you should expect more than one green energy version to accompany the AMGs.
Google News