Mercedes-Benz has published a sketch of its all-new 2016 E-Class on social media ahead of its official unveiling on January 11 at the Detroit motor show.
Claimed to be a “highly accurate teaser sketch” the image was created by exterior design chief, Robert Lesnik, that adds credibility that the drawing previews the production car.
From the pic, the new E-Class clearly has a family resemblance to both the C-Class and S-Class.
Mercedes has already revealed the new interior of its BMW 5-Series-rival that said to raise inject style and quality from the class above.
We also know the E-Class is set to get a 110kW, 143kW and 170kW all-new 2.0-litre diesel that replaces the old 2.1-litre.
A 233kW twin-turbo and an even more powerful four-turbo 298kW version of an all-new 2.9-litre inline six diesel are also rumoured to join the range following its launch.
Until then, a 191kW 3.0-litre V6 will spearhead the diesel engine range.
Opting for petrol power should see a new 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit in three power trims, starting with 135kW in the E 200, augmented by 155kW E 250 and 180kW E 300 variants.
Upgrading to an inline turbo-six will offer 245kW in the E 400 and 270kW in E 450 AMG Sport trim.
The heavy-hitting new Mercedes-AMG E 63 will gain standard and S version of the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 already seen in the C 63 and AMG GT.
An E 350 petrol-hybrid with a diesel-hybrid option rumoured to be under consideration.
Certain Euro-spec diesels may be offered with a six-speed manual, sitting alongside a nine-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive and 4MATIC AWD layouts are also expected.
Once again the Australian E-Class range – due on sale here later next year – will be exclusively rear-drive and auto-only.
More information is expected following its unveiling at the Detroit show.