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The blobs should not lengthy for this world. Essentially the most criticized side of Mercedes-Benz’s electrical autos has been their overly rounded, futuristic designs, so the German automaker is reversing course, making its upcoming EVs look extra like, effectively, how a Mercedes ought to. Our spy photographers have captured the upcoming next-generation Mercedes E-Class testing across the Nürburgring in Germany. The standard silhouette would possibly lead you to imagine the camouflaged automotive runs on an inner combustion engine, however when it is revealed subsequent yr the brand new E-Class shall be solely supplied as an EV (the current-gen E might keep round for longer than regular to fulfill gas-loving clients).
The rounded design of the EQ lineup wasn’t solely for aesthetics — the design course additionally elevated vary by reducing the drag coefficient of all of the autos, sedans and SUVs alike. With improved expertise, designers are far much less constrained by the battery’s capability, and creating a slippery form is not as essential. Whereas no specs have been revealed for this upcoming E-Class, Mercedes claims its 2028 VLE has as much as 404 miles of vary in European WLTP testing. Some rumors counsel the sedan might attain the elusive 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) vary mark, however solely time will if these murmurs are to be believed.
Mercedes-Benz continues to be dreaming of an electrical future
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As soon as the camo comes off, I’d be stunned if the electrical E-Class resembled its smaller 2027 C-Class Electricsibling. The brand new mannequin would not totally revert to the sharp traces and angular look of its 80s and 90s predecessors, however the sedan form stays. Not like the C-Class’ sloping rear, the camo E-Class featured a conventional three-box design with an upright greenhouse and a flat trunk. It is going to be attention-grabbing to match this upcoming Mercedes with different glorious luxurious electrical sedans, just like the Lucid Air.
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By way of what particulars we are able to see, this prototype has a blunt nostril that may most likely have an much more in-your-face grille than what we have seen on the GLC and C-Class EVs. Slim headlights have a pair of stars in them, however as a substitute of stars within the taillights, the E-Class goes a bit retro — the rear finish has skinny taillights that seem to evoke the beloved ribbed lights of fashions just like the W123 and W124, with no star components to be discovered. It appears to be like just like the greenhouse will characteristic 1 / 4 window on the C-pillar, one thing normally reserved for long-wheelbase fashions.
Mercedes-Benz needed to reimagine its electrical future after the lackluster reception of its EQ lineup. In 2025, the German automaker halted manufacturing of all U.S. spec EQS and EQE. Admittedly, President Donald Trump’s killing of the federal tax credit score and steep tariffs on the European Union definitely helped the downfall. Whereas the electrical SUVs had been produced in Alabama, the sedans had been nonetheless in-built Germany. Most do not need to see an bold endeavor fail outright, however typically an organization must stumble earlier than it will probably soar.
