Mercedes E-class (W212) - spy shots

Mercedes will unveil the next generation E-Class, known internally as W212, at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The new sedan (and later in 2010 station wagon) will wrap cutting-edge safety technology, direct-injection petrol and Bluetec diesel power in svelte new sheetmetal.

The new E-Class will be sleeker and more aggressively detailed, but the overall profile will remain much the same as before. A longer bonnet topped by a bigger grille and four headlamps will flow into a more raked windscreen to give the E a touch more athleticism, helped by the more pronounced mid-body swage line that links head and tail lamps.

The next generation E-Class will be offered with both petrol and diesel engines. The range for the petrol engine will start with the 2.5 V6 in the E250 that will deliver around 214 hp and will go up to 5.5 liter V8 in the E500 with an output of 388 hp. The E63 AMG will be powered by a 6.3 liter V8 engine with a maxima output of 514 hp. Diesel engines will range from 3.0 liter V6 with 190 hp to 4.0 liter V8, 354 hp.