Mercedes-Benz is rumored to have pumped close to a million euros into the development of the E-Class mid-life facelift, one of the biggest such projects undertaken by a car company. Despite this, the W212 has only a couple more years to live before its replacement arrives and spoils the fun.
Expected to be launched under the codename W213, the next generation of E-Class sedan has already been testing for a few months in various forms. First, there was a simple chassis testing mule they sent out onto the Nurburgring and now we have a more developed prototype parading the streets of Germany.
Thanks to Youtube walkoART, we can show you what's probably the only footage yet available of the 2014 W212 E-Class together with the next-gen model that should come out in two more years.
A new platform
It seems that money is definitely not in short supply when it comes to E-Class development. The next-gen model is going to be based on an all-new platform the Mercedes-Benz MRA (Modular Rear-wheel drive Architecture) used by the C-Class.
Like many other German cars these days, the E-sedan will grow only a little bit in length and a lot in terms of wheelbase. This will have a visible positive effect on the ride of the car. Weight reductions are also on the way, but don't expect that much to be shed.
Possibly new engines
The interwebs are rich with rumors about new Mercedes-Benz engines. The latest suggests that the 4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the AMG GT and the new C63 is going to be in basically every car that can take it. That means the 4.7-liter and 5.5-liter V8 could be on the chopping block.
Before that, there were also reports that Mercedes will return to the free-revving inline-6 setup. A whole family of modular mills will be developed with both four and six cylinders. Even though 3-pots are also planned, the likely won't be offered on the E-Class.
Their diesel engines have somewhat fallen behind those of rival brands. A new 2.9-liter mill is on its way and is expected to different outputs ranging from 315 and 405 PS. And yes, it's got more than one turbo.
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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