Mercedes-Benz is buffing up its popular E-Class series for its first facelift since the W212 made its debut in 2009. Our man with the long lens scooped a camouflaged prototype of the Estate model (codenamed S212), which will sport the same styling updates as the sedan variant.
These spy shots suggest that the 2013 model year E-Class will gain a new face that does away with the quad-headlamps that have been a trademark feature of the series since the mid-1990s W210.
Instead, the refreshed model will sport single headlight units that incorporate the current E-Class’ separate LED daytime running lights along with a more three-dimensional front grille and a new bumper design.
The only other changes we see on this prototype are the revised graphics of the tail lamps and the re-sculptured rear bumper. There have been reports, mainly from the German press, that the facelifted E-Class will also drop the current model’s so-called “Ponton” style rear fenders, but we have yet to see a test car with a different profile.
Some design and equipment updates are also expected in the interior while Mercedes will likely make improvements to the E-Class’ engine lineup to increase their fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.
The 2013 E-Class should go on sale in sedan form next spring followed shortly after by the Estate pictured here.
Photo Credits: CarPix for Carscoop
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