Mercedes E-Klasse Convertible and Wagon Delayed?

As you have seen in the spyshots we published earlier today, Mercedes Benz is working hard to complete the estate version (wagon) of its E-Klasse range. Now, rumors have surfaced that the German manufacturer plans on delaying the introduction of both the estate and the convertible, citing the same economic problems faced by manufacturers across the world.

According to a report by Auto Motor und Sport, via autoblog.com, the models will no longer be introduced later this year at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The source says that in an attempt to save money for development and marketing, the new vehicles in the E-Klasse range will meet its customers at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.

The money saved by this move will supposedly allow Mercedes to focus on the upcoming E-Klasse sedan and coupe, as well as on the future CLS. The V6 Bluetec hybrid and a four-cylinder replacement engine are also said to be the focus of the manufacturer.

It is unclear at this point whether the delay will happen or not. Mercedes has not confirmed nor denied the rumors but, as you saw for yourselves in the spyshots, at least as far as the estate version is concerned, things seem to be ready. And they are...

The delay reported by Auto Motor und Sport does indeed speak of the E-Klasse convertible, but it does not make any reference to the E-Klasse wagon, which is very likely to be presented this fall in Frankfurt. It speaks of a possible model based on the E-Klasse shooting brake, or ConceptFascination, shown last year in Paris, which, should it take shape, won't be here until 2012.