Renderings of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class mid-cycle face lift have made their way to the web and we love what we see. Mercedes-Benz won’t limit changes to just the headlights, the grille, and the bumpers; the sheetmetal will also be significantly altered as well. The pronounced sculpted rear fenders we’re now used to will be scrapped on the sedan and the station wagon. The coupe and convertible may retain their current side panels, setting them somewhat apart from the four- and five-door models. This distinction would be highly appropriate, as the two sets of body styles don’t share a platform; the E-class coupe and convertible use a combination of C- and E-class underpinnings.
The headlight quartet, which was a key visual element that chief designer Gorden Wagener said he wouldn’t “want to do without” when the E-class was launched, will be scrapped, just like the hook-shaped daytime running lamps. Mercedes will also alter the angular and stylistically designed dashboard and interior that we were introduced to in 2009. In addition, the cabin will get a softer look that is more in line with the traditional perception of the brand.
The Mercedes-Benz E-class is the brand’s key model, with competition coming from the Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti M, Jaguar XF, Lexus GS. Its previous busy styling was not welcomed by Mercedes-Benz purists, so this redesign is Mercedes-Benz chance to prove they can still build a traditional car while adding updated styling to attract new buyers.
As for the E-class platform, models will remain on their current pair of platforms. while Mercedes may take the opportunity to tinker with suspension tuning or add new chassis tech.
The U.S. market will keep the E350’s 3.0-liter V-6, the E550’s turbocharged 4.7-liter V-8 and paired with 4MATIC all-wheel drive in the sedan. The E350 BlueTec’s 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel, note this is only available as a four-door. The E63 AMG’s 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-8, available currenlty only in sedan and wagon forms, but an E63 AMG coupe likely is on the horizon. The new-for-2013 E400 hybrid—featuring a 3.0-liter V-6 and a 27-hp, 207-lb-ft electric motor—will continue to be available as well. No diesel hybrid will be offered in the U.S., nor will any of Benz’s efficient four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines.
A seven-speed automatic is the only transmission on all models in the U.S. The jigsaw puzzle that is all-wheel-drive availability and restriction within the E-class lineup will remain as tedious as ever but likely won’t change much from today’s matrix.
The face-lifted E-class will likely be unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January 2013 and go on sale in the summer of next year as a 2014 model. When the new model arrives, we expect it to carry stickers similar to the current models’; prices will begin at just over $50,000, with a hefty premium for the wagon and the convertible. Source: Car and Driver
