Prior to the next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class potentially debuting later this year or early 2016, a number of new details about the car have emerged. Of most interest is the selection of advanced technologies set to be implemented into the car.
For starters, it is suggested that the next-gen Mercedes-Benz E-Class will feature semi-autonomous driving functionalities and have the capacity to park itself remotely from the owner’s smartphone. Additionally, the gesture control system being developed for the next S-Class will reportedly debut in the new E-Class.
Elsewhere, an exceptionally advanced heads-up display system is likely to be made available for the next-gen E-Class to further distinguish it from its direct rival, the BMW 5-Series.
Beyond these new pieces of tech, Car Magazine says that three different plug-in hybrid variants of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be offered. The first will utilise a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine joined with an 82 hp electric motor. A 3.0-litre V6 combined with a 109 hp electric motor will also be offered while the third hybrid is expected to use a yet-unconfirmed diesel engine and electric motor pairing.
Elsewhere, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will mark the German firm’s return to inline-six cylinder engines in favour of V6s (excluding the aforementioned V6 hybrid model). The inline-sixers will be offered in petrol and diesel forms with the first pinned to be a 2.9-litre diesel engine delivering 313 hp when combined with two turbochargers. An additional version of this engine will be offered with four turbochargers two of which will be electrically-driven units to improve efficiency.
Underpinning the new E-Class will be the same shared MRA platform as the new C-Class. This new platform is not only lighter than the one currently used by the E-Class, but it is also more rigid thanks to its utilisation of aluminium in its construction.
[Via Car Magazine]
