The interior of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class has just been spied with absolutely no camouflage for the very first time. As expected, the interior of the new E-Class takes clear design inspiration from the range-topping S-Class offered by the German automaker.
For starters, we can see a very similar centre console layout as well as a familiar middle-dashboard section incorporating four large air conditioning and heater vents. Found above those vents is a large touchscreen infotainment system just like the S-Class. Unlike its big brother however, the new E-Class evidently makes do without without a completely digital instrument cluster instead receiving analog dials and a small centre screen between them.
Beyond its overhauled interior, a number of other changes are afoot for the latest-generation E-Class. It is suggested 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.
