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Mod Note: Our 2017 Mercedes E-Class Review has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!

The all-new Mercedes Benz E-Class (W213) has been spotted testing on Indian roads for the very first time.


Expected to go on sale in the first half of 2017, the 10th-gen E-Class will initially be brought into the country via the CBU route, before Mercedes-Benz India starts CKD production at it's Chakan plant in Pune.

Engine options will be shared between 2.0L turbocharged inline-6 petrols & diesels, which will be paired to Mercedes's new 9-speed automatic transmission.

When launched, the 2017 E-Class is expected to be priced in the Rs 55 lakh - Rs 70 lakh price bracket. A range topping AMG variant could join the ranks at a later date, priced at above Rs 1 crore.

Motor Octane

I am sorry if I am sounding disrespectful. Mercedes has ruined it with the design. This new model just doesnt stand out like its predecessors.

I am not too sure on that; I don't see the W213's design as very different from that of the W212 (or is it?)

Being built on C and S class platforms, looks similar to both. I like the rear lights which are now in line with other Mercs. Absolutely hate the current design. It doesnt look any different otherwise and should be a handsome car.

Which one is the W212 in the photograph ? Probably only the rear will differentiate it. The LED headlights are a give away and the 213 looks broader.
Also don't the DRLs look different on the test car ?

Once you guys sit in the car, your opinion will change. It will simply blow away the competition in my opinion. These interiors are a generation ahead over S-Class which itself set up new standards not long ago. They have planned for an April launch after GST is implemented, which I think may even get pushed to September so maybe MB can get some CBU Units in Jan/Feb.

From what I've read in international media, it's more of the same formula. More cabin space, more tech, more comfort and Mercedes' amazing styling (especially the interiors). Why mess with a successful formula?

The C-Class might give them good volumes and the S-Class is the car that defines what Mercedes stands for, but it's the E-Class that is the brand's bread & butter car (globally). It's the most important model in the Mercedes line-up.

Only 3 things they check for:

- Ground clearance
- Running on local diesel
- Air-con performance

I think Mercedes' new designs are fabulous and they played a BIG part in the resurgence of the brand. I'm told that the average age of the Mercedes buyer has also dropped due to their new + youthful designs.

That said, I completely agree with the similarity between the two generations. Mercedes made a mistake with the W212 facelift by giving it a taste of the new design language. The layman won't be able to tell them apart, except from the rear:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgLMYyJSEi4

Doing a VW with the modular platform, eh?

I am against this concept of one family same face approach. While the E class looks good, it is too similar to the C and S. Buying a car today is like, I have X amount and I get a car which is 5 cm long, X+Y amount can get me a 6 cm long car and X+Y+Z can get me 7cm long car. At the end of the day, the car looks the same just the size varies(and yes features and engine too). There is no exclusivity w.r.to design .

Mercedes/Audi/BMW/VW current line up in India:
1. SUV(available in size S,M,L and XL)
2. Sedan(available in XS,S,M,L and XL)

There is a distinct plan at work from MB. Get the big daddy S model out that just wows everyone. Scale it down and make it the C for getting the volumes and push that size up to E the money profits.
Yes, they lose the exclusivity but to a new buyer the aspiration value increases significantly.
2017 is bound to be a super year with all new E, A6 and 5 series entering - with the s90 already popping eyeballs and the new Jag XF looking stunning this segment is ready for the mother of all battles.

Having been in the UK for the past couple of weeks, there are plenty of new E Classes but you do not notice them due to the similarities, especially when you are on the move. I started noticing them when I was walking the streets of London

This looks like the long wheelbase version ? If indeed they launch the long wheelbase version upfront they are likely to sweep the segment ! Air suspension + stretched cabin + reclining rear seats = perfect recipe for big success. Huge headstart over rivals given the fact that all others havent even begun in india to plan bridging the gap between the 50 to 60 lakh sedans (E A6 and 5) and the 1.3 Cr+ luxury barges (7 series, S class and A8).

For a fact the CKD ground work for LWB E class had begun late last year in the MBIL works in pune. Lets hope we get this segment changer real soon on our roads !

While this is great news indeed, I hope that they bring the car with smaller wheels and conventional suspension and not air suspension. That would ensure better ride and lower troubles.

I don't think they have an RHD version production ready yet, it does appear longer in the second photo as rear door is covered with something that hides profile of door.

That's not going to happen surely, they have to S class as well :)

I believe they get complete Kits from Germany and won't have a press shop to produce body and chassis in India so there is little MB India can do unless they plan to localise this heavily.

I know for a fact that CKD kits (BIW) are being shipped from China as their Chinese JV has the rights for the LWB version. A friend who works in the projects team of MBIL has confirmed this. Air suspension and reclining seats are a part of the product line. RHD was planned along with the new car in LWB guise as India was always a target market. We might be the only country in the world which gets a diesel powered LWB E class !

Yes, it does appear that these have reclining seats if we go by these photos - check controls on the door

http://gtspirit.com/2016/04/24/offic...ong-wheelbase/

Maybe if someone can use paint or something to overlap the spy shots we can surely confirm