Mercedes has nearly finished development of its new E-Class and we’ve spotted it testing in hot AMG 53 guise. Mercedes has confirmed the new E-Class will arrive at European dealerships this summer, so expect the car to be revealed in full soon.
The E-Class will be four-door only from now on, because the firm is set to introduce a new CLE model line to effectively replace the two-door coupe and cabriolet versions of the E-Class.
As we can see from this latest teaser image of an estate model, the prominent front grille will remain, on this AMG 53 version there will be a bespoke grille design, flanked by a pair of LED headlights. With crisper surfacing and flush-fitting, pop out door handles, Mercedes has opted for a more minimalist approach with the next E-Class, and the tapered tail appears to borrow styling elements from the S-Class flagship. The rear lights look to be an evolution of the horizontal clusters from the outgoing car – don’t expect a full-width LED light bar, Mercedes likes to keep that design for its all-electric EQ models.
Pure EV power will be reserved for its EQE counterpart, but the E-Class will offer electrification across the range with a selection of 48-volt mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines, along with a plug-in hybrid option. Built around a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol motor, the setup will offer more than 80 miles of electric range and improved efficiency over the outgoing car, thanks to a 31.2kWh battery and motor tech from the new GLC 300 e.
Along with the AMG 53, an AMG E 63 super saloon is also in the works, which has been spied bearing a set of quad-exit exhausts. Given that the BMW M5 will launch with hybrid power in 2024, the E 63 is likely to follow suit with a plug-in system derived from either the four-cylinder C 63 or the 831bhp, V8-powered AMG GT 4-Door 63 S E-Performance.
The AMG GT 4 Door rides on the same MRA platform as the outgoing E-Class, so it may be possible to adapt its V8 powertrain for the new, MRA2-based E-Class. Furthermore, Mercedes Chief Technical Officer Jochen Hermann previously told Auto Express that the brand’s famed V8 engines will feature in “AMG GT 4 Door-sized cars and above”, so this isn’t out of the question.
The E 63 model we spotted rides on larger, wider wheels, and behind the camouflage at the front, a bespoke grille design and more aggressive air intakes are almost a certainty.
When it comes to the chassis, the new C-Class and the GLC have dropped air-suspension from the options list in the UK market, but given the E-Class’ more comfort-oriented brief, Mercedes AIRMATIC suspension will probably be available. A new rear-wheel steering system is also expected to improve agility and high-speed dynamics.
The new E-Class should hit UK roads in the second half of 2023, beating the next-generation BMW 5 Series to market.
Mercedes E-Class: interior and technology
Mercedes has also unveiled the interior of its new 2023 E-Class executive saloon and some details of the technology on offer. The new car’s infotainment system will act as “the precursor to MB.OS”, the brand’s next-generation infotainment tech, according to Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius.
The German firm says the new E-Class’s interior has been designed around three principles – sporty, high-quality, digital – and is “more software-driven and less hardware-driven”, which will allow for more personalisation and updating of the interior in the future.
Mercedes has combined functions previously carried out by different computers and ECUs into one single processor, which means the MBUX infotainment and screens can be faster and more responsive.
This is key given the level of technology on board, which will include a 5G data connection in certain markets, providing faster connected services. The system will also allow for integration of third-party apps, including TikTok, the game Angry Birds and the Zoom video calling platform. The latter is possible thanks to a camera mounted on the dash, which also allows for selfies and video recordings.
A new option called Superscreen will be offered which, similar to the Hyperscreen system in other Mercedes models, combines a passenger display, a central touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster.
Mercedes also says that “The main icons on the central and optional passenger displays are now simpler, and also colour-coded to match smartphone tiles. This enables the driver to recognise them even more intuitively.”
There’s an evolution of the firm’s ‘Just Talk’ voice control feature, which can now be activated without having to say “Hey Mercedes”, while the brand’s usual wellbeing functions – including Energising Comfort and digitally controlled air vents for the new E-Class – are also available.
Merc says that advanced artificial intelligence tech means that the E-Class can perform routine tasks to help relieve the burden of every-day processes. The AI system learns your habits (or you can teach it) as well as common situations. For example, if the temperature drops below a certain level the car can warm the cabin to a desired setting, turn on the heated seat and adjust the ambient lighting for a warmer glow inside.
Now read our review of the all-electric BMW i7…
