#NAIAS: STUD OR DUD? 2016 Mercedes-Benz E Class Images Leak Out Ahead Of Detroit Debut

It's cool, but I'm kind of unimpressed. It really looks like a bigger C class which is by no means a bad thing. But there is no new ground on the exterior styling. The C works because it was a totally new direction. The E is already kinda been there done that 6 months ago. It's a good thing the new 5 won't be much better than the current one. The interior is great and I'm sure the new tech will also be pretty good, but the car just isn't distinctive anymore.
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I agree. It looks nice and will do well but I would have preferred to see them give the new E some of its own personality, rather than making it a bigger C class.

Totally agree and I must say I'm beginning to miss the days of the W210 series E, the original 4 eyed E Class which gave the car so much presence and personality.

The interior of this car will no doubt be best in class, I just wish they used as much inspiration outside as they did in. The luxury edition of this new E with the traditional hood ornament does improve the overall presence of the car significantly though.

Overall, it's fairly bland. Surprising considering the C-Class has a somewhat aggressive stance with its long hood and shorter rear. Surprising also b/c the S-Class has a pretty strong presence from almost every angle.

The front end needs more character. The chrome outline of the sport grille doesn't do much.

However, the rear three quarter view looks pretty elegant as it shows off a pretty steep angle of the windshield accentuated by a long-ish hood. The profile view looks pretty good, too.

Interior looks incredible. The black-on-ivory color combo is smashing it. The other color combos, not so much.

I agree with all the above. I was really excited about the new E, it THE car in this segment, IMO. However, this really is a stretched, widened C Class which I agree isn't necessarily bad. But, if they had given the E some distinctiveness it would have been an more aspirational. I think the difference between the ATS and CTS is much more expressive where as 4 (the 3-5 series, A4-A6, and the C-E are simply stretched versions with no individuality or personality. I am wondering about powertrains too. I find the C300 buzzy with its turbo and imagine the GLC 300 will be similar. I am hoping the new E retains the silky smooth 3.5 normally aspirated 6 that is just terrific with its power delivery. I am sure this new E is going to be wonderful, but my thoughts are really what COULD this car have been?

I personally hope NOT to read anymore responses about how BMW or how Audi cars ALL look alike when redesigned. Come On!! If I didn't read the headlines about it being an E-Class, then it would look identical to the outside as a "C" class. I've said over and over that ALL car companies follow the SAME theme (headlights, tail-lights, other common traits in their models) throughout their car line-up. MB is NO exception to this practice no more than BMW, Audi, Lexus, Cadillac, Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan (now with their Maxima new grill) and the rest of them.
Outside looks very good, but the HUGE long dash inside is just UGLY. Reminds me of an old Buick my father owned in the mid 80's when they had those square long dashes. That long interior dash is a common theme now; it's it in the top of the line S500 model. Pass on this inside look.

I agree with your exterior comments. But the interior is cool - stately - tech-filled. Like an E should be. The dash/instrument panel looks to be 2 separate widescreen LED displays though, so that kinda ups the ante immensely over those old Buick interiors of yore. lol

As for the exterior again...looks like M-B wants to convey a unified corporate design for the car lineup - based on the most recent S-class redesign.

Completely agree with everything said here. Mercedes seems to be decontenting all their cars too and making everything optional. I wonder if the new E is going to be seriously generic so they can come out with a Maybach version that is the way "this" car ought to be, so they can charge $20-$30K more for it. As it is this car will probably be in the hi-50's like $58K base and with P1 and Multimedia pushing $70K and that won't include leather. At what point do these cars become unattainable? I've had E Class for years and love the size but as I approach my mid 50's I'm thinking I'd rather get one off lease that's 2 years old. Also as this car will be between the C and S, I imagine folks will not even see it when in traffic, they'll just think its a C or an S?

Completely agree with everything said here. Mercedes seems to be decontenting all their cars too and making everything optional. I wonder if the new E is going to be seriously generic so they can come out with a Maybach version that is the way "this" car ought to be, so they can charge $20-$30K more for it. As it is this car will probably be in the hi-50's like $58K base and with P1 and Multimedia pushing $70K and that won't include leather. At what point do these cars become unattainable? I've had E Class for years and love the size but as I approach my mid 50's I'm thinking I'd rather get one off lease that's 2 years old. Also as this car will be between the C and S, I imagine folks will not even see it when in traffic, they'll just think its a C or an S?

Inside looks tastefully done, though I don't know how usable the electronic doo-dads are. Outside doesn't say luxury car to me, but it doesn't look bad. I'm not crazy about the oversized intakes on each side of the lower airdam.

Totally disagree - Inside is TACKY with that LONG massive dash. Materials used on the seats looks beautiful though.

Same sausage, different size.

Maybe MB is going Audi on us!

Love the interior. The exterior? Not so much.

This is just a larger C-Class and to really see how similar this E-Class is to the C-Class look no further than the last two photos and look at the C-Class's photos from the same angle.

Looks like Mercedes-Benz is taking a cue from Audi's old playbook and BMW's current playbook.

Are all those controls on the center console just touch sensitive pads, instead of real buttons and switches? Haven't they all learned by now how bad of an idea that is? Touch pads require looking at the area to touch the right place. That takes eyes off the road. Bad! Bad!

I wonder how a throw back on German autos would fair. If Ford, GM and Chrysler can pull it off to much fan-fair, why couldn't the Germans?

Hellllllo 21st century Mercedes S Class W126.

Predictable. It will sell to people whose only taste is in their mouths as the C and S do already. It will sell, but it in no way is impressive. It's glitzy. It's ghetto chic. It's Kardashian.

Waaay too small for Kardashian's big ass.

I actually think the C has the better interior.

Love the interior. Exterior lacks individuality. I miss the 3 pointed star on the bonnet.

Thanks for the BIG C CLASS Benz. Nice but too familiar. The E class has usually set itself apart from the other models. This looks a lot like the C class with a little S Class. The interior is very well done. That being said, I can't wait to see the new BMW 5 and the New A6

As an MB fan, this new E fail to get my approval because If I buy a new E (which most likely will cost twice of the C price) I want something more distinctive, not a bigger C or smaller S.

I love Benz....BUT THIS C-CLASS DERIVATIVE IS GETTING VERY OLD. The interior is nice...BUT NOTHING TELLS ME THIS IS THE E W/O THE BADGE.

Audi's design direction is to move away from having their A4, A6, A8 looking like carbon copies of each other. Some couldn't tell the difference (between models) unless you were standing closer to it. MB on the other hand is not moving in the right direction with this generation. No distinctive design elements. Like some above comments. Just a stretched C-class or a smaller S-Class. Other than headlamp differences it's hard to tell a C from and E or an S.