The launch of the next Mercedes-Benz E-class is right around the corner and Car's spies were able to catch a mildly camo'd mule undergoing testing. The prototype is unmistakably M-B, with a new front fascia that appears to split the difference between the swoop CLS's headlamps and the more conservative eyes of the C- and S-class. Underneath the cloaked sheet metal is Mercedes' new W212 mid-size sedan platform, which ditches the electronic braking system of the last generation (Benz dealers rejoice!) in favor of conventional hydraulic stoppers, and utilizes a four-link front suspension and a multi-link rear arrangement coupled with M-B's Active Body Control (ABC) system. Naturally, there will be gizmos galore, including a new electronic road sign reading system, night-vision pulled from the S-class and a host of gasoline- and diesel-powered engines that will top out with the 6.2-liter V8 from AMG.According to Car, the new E will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March, with sales beginning later that summer.
[Source: Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bilbo baggins @ May 12th 2008 4:39PM
mercedes has gotten the muscle car big engine bug ! no?!
k.w.a @ May 12th 2008 4:47PM
it looks like it'll have headlights like the new SL... which might not be such a bad thing. I remember most people on AB thinking those headlights were ugly (I did too) but when i went to the MB dealership and saw it in real life, i ave to admit it looked good. Damn good, in fact. either way im sure itll sell like hotcakes
iCameiSawiConquered @ May 12th 2008 4:50PM
I can't say Mercedes is being very original with their new line up. I like the C a lot, as well as the S....but this car just looks exactly like a bigger version of the C. It looks almost identical.
So all their sedans are starting to look the same, just varying in the degree of their size...
Dondonel @ May 12th 2008 5:21PM
I agree, it looks too much like the new C class. IMO part of the reason CLS was so successful was because it seemed so different from the standard Mercedes sedan.
ChopperDave @ May 12th 2008 5:24PM
I could be wrong, but I think Mercedes pioneered this trend in the 80s--the idea of having a small, medium, and large version of the same basic design. Look at the W201 190E, W124 300E, and the W140 flagship sedans and coupes of the late 80s/early 90s, for example.
Torrent @ May 12th 2008 5:12PM
I Hope the overall design is better than the Current one.
.......Not to say there is anything wrong with the current one.
Torrent @ May 12th 2008 5:14PM
And why are the rear wheels different from the front wheels?
Val @ May 12th 2008 5:29PM
To confuse you ;)
Torrent @ May 12th 2008 11:22PM
Oh that's tacky.
Bart @ May 12th 2008 10:24PM
I believe the headlight units will actually consist of 2 seperate parts each. Much like the current generation has the quad oval lamps, this will have quad squares. And it will definitely set it apart from the rest. Not to mention the new rear end of which hints can also be found on the new crosshatch concept.
larry a @ May 13th 2008 2:59AM
boring
CQ @ Jun 20th 2008 2:45PM
The brake by wire system (SBC) is already gone from the E-class. It now uses a version of the brakes in the S-Class.