We have a second sighting of a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class prototype in the Czech Republic.

About a month after Carscoops’ reader Kirill first spotted a tester in Prague, Jiří K. took
out his phone and snapped these pictures of another E-Class sedan driving in the city of Pilsen, which is located some 90km west of the capital city.

Curvier and closer in design to Mercedes’ top-end S-Class, the fifth generation of the E-Class will grow a bit in size but not in weight, as it’s expected that with the help of the new rear-wheel drive MRA platform shared with the C- and S-Class and the increased use of aluminum, it will be up to 100kg or 220lbs lighter than today’s model.

We’ll see significant changes under the hood too, not only because the new platform architecture will allow the use of highly-efficient plug-in hybrid powertrains, but also because Mercedes is believed to introduce new in-line six-cylinder direct-injection petrol and diesel engines.

Later on, the W213-codenamed E-Class will get a V8-powered AMG in two states of tune, with the range to be extended with Estate, Coupe and Convertible body styles as well.

Hat tip to Jiří K. for the scoop!

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