You can now add the Czech Republic to the list of places we’ve encountered prototypes of Mercedes-Benz’s next generation E-Class sedan. Sharp-eyed reader Kirill was able to take a few shots of the camouflaged tester.
Codenamed W213, the comprehensively revised fifth-generation of Mercedes’ executive sedan will arrive in mid-2016 followed by an Estate version about a year later.
While the prototype looks like it might be marginally bigger than the current W212, it will end up being lighter, thanks in part to Mercedes’ new scalable rear-wheel drive MRA platform shared with the latest C-Class and S-Class.
Another thing the E-Class will share with these two models is their more slender exterior design language with curvier surfaces on the body, while the S-Class will also lend its dashboard layout with a large screen positioned above the prominent center console as an extension of the instrument panel.
It is understood that the W213 will debut Mercedes’ first inline-six diesel and gasoline engines in more than two decades, not out of nostalgia, but out of necessity, as Stuttgart will follow BMW‘s example of using a modular engine family comprising of three-, four- and six-cylinder units with a common 0.5-liter displacement for each cylinder. Plug-in hybrid versions of these engines will join the range, as will AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the AMG GT coupe and C63 AMG developing close to 600hp.
Thanks to Kirill for the shots!
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