After the first shots of Mercedes Benz’s updated E-Class Estate emerged last week, spy photographers have caught the first prototypes of the Coupé version on German roads.
Expected to be revealed late next year as a 2020-model-year car, the facelifted model will benefit from a raft of exterior styling tweaks to imbue more of a family resemblance to the recently launched Mercedes-Benz CLS and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Although it's still disguised at this stage, we know the new E-Class will feature a more angular front-end shape. That’s confirmed by the different grille profile and reshaped LED headlights of this prototype.
The rear end is also set to receive styling updates, mainly focused around reprofiled tail-lights. We can also expect new colour choices and alloy wheel designs, but, with this being only a mid-life update, more radical visual changes are unlikely.
The interior upgrades will centre around an overhaul of the existing dual-screen infotainment system, bringing the new MBUX set-up launched in the new A-Class. As well as a new interface, additional features and a more advanced voice control system, the E-Class could also receive a touchpad controller in place of the existing rotary dial.
The 2020 E-Class won’t get an all-new engine lineup, but more of the existing engines will be updated to feature Mercedes' EQ Boost 48V mild hybrid system to boost efficiency. Currently, only the straight-six E450 is offered with the system, but it could become available on four-cylinder diesel and petrol variants too.
The recently launched E300de diesel-electric plug-in hybrid is expected to remain a part of the line-up, but it’s not clear yet if the E350e petrol-electric plug-in hybrid will return after being pulled from sale ahead of the WLTP regulation changes.
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