Mercedes-Benz is set to introduce a brand new family of engines when the next-generation E-Class launches next year.
As previously reported, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be pivotally important in the history of the brand as it will reintroduce inline-six cylinder engines absent from the Mercedes-Benz lineup since the late 1990s.
However, the new selection of inline-six engines won’t hit the market quite when the new E-Class does as Car&Driver points out.
Initially, the first new Mercedes engine to feature in the next-gen E-Class will be a four-cylinder diesel engine with an unknown displacement, but likely to pump out around 180 hp. Following on from this engine, a selection of new four-cylinder petrol powerplants will be introduced, then followed by the new inline-sixes, available in both petrol and diesel guises.
Additionally, Mercedes-Benz will incorporate semi-hybrid systems into a selection of 2017 E-Class models. These models will utilise a starter-generator within the transmission itself to not only improve the vehicle’s stop-start functionality but to also add some acceleration gains. While such ‘semi’ hybrids don’t offer the performance or range of plug-in hybrids, they are significantly cheaper and absolutely perfect for a car like the E-Class.
Beyond its new engines, the new E-Class has already been confirmed to include a multitude of impressive technologies previously unseen in this segment of the luxury sedan market. Among them will be a number of autonomous driving features as well as a remote parking system, just like the latest BMW 7-Series.
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