Mercedes-Benz has begun testing its new E-Class sedan outdoors, as these spy photos clearly evidence. The model shares much of its appearance with the current S-Class and may very well become the last Mercedes E to use an internal combustion engine when it debuts in 2023 or so.
The test mule is camouflaged head to toe, but it is safe to expect it to keep its exterior unchanged in contrast to the recently revealed EQE. The rear end with its horizontal taillights look styled after the S flagship.
The same could apply for the cabin, too. The new E-Class may get its digital dashboard and MBUX infotainment display from the S-Class without major alterations.
Carscoops.com also believes that the model may ship in sedan and wagon body styles, while the coupe and convertible will be dropped to make room for the new CLE family of vehicles announced this summer.
As for the premiere, it will probably take place in late 2023 or early 2024. The current generation came out in 2016 and received a mid-life update in 2020. Since most countries in Europe seem determined to ban ICE cars by the beginning of the next decade, it is likely that it will be the last E-Class to make use of IC engines (and most of those will probably be electrified, at that).