- The first test mule of the electric Mercedes E-Class has been spied ahead of a 2027 launch.
- The mule wears an EQE body, but the final model will adopt a more traditional sedan body.
- The EV and ICE versions of the E-Class will look similar despite the different underpinnings.
Mercedes just announced it’s working on a fully electric E-Class, and our spy photographers have already caught what seems to be an early mule of the upcoming luxury sedan. Set to arrive in 2027 as the replacement for the rather forgettable EQE, this new model promises to look more like a traditional, ICE-powered E-Class, something a little more familiar for those who’ve never quite warmed up to the EQE’s design.
Spotted during cold-weather testing, the mule was fully uncovered, though cleverly disguised with EQE bodywork to throw off any spies. From a distance, you’d probably mistake it for just another EQE, but a closer inspection reveals some classic mule giveaways: awkward wheel positioning and makeshift bolt-on fender extensions.
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Mercedes has promised that the fully electric E-Class will have a “status-oriented” wheelbase. The wheel alignment of the mule suggests that this will be shorter than the 3,120 mm (122.8 inches) wheelbase of the electric EQE, but longer than the 2,961 mm (116.6 inches) figure of the current W214 E-Class.
The official teaser shared by Mercedes earlier this month revealed the silhouette of the future E-Class. The sedan appears to ditch the controversial shape of the EQE for more traditional proportions, with a longer hood, a more upright windshield, and a stretched rear overhang.
The new design direction is the result of a new strategy that will end up in visual parity between the EV and ICE Mercedes models. The company showed another teaser of two sedans covered under a veil, with a mysterious bulge on the hood hinting at a new interpretation of the Mercedes ornament or a more pronounced grille surround. However, it is not yet clear if these models depicted the future E-Class or the next-gen S-Class that will also be available in EV and ICE flavors.
Despite the promised visual similarities, the two versions of the E-Class are expected to ride on different underpinnings. The electric E-Class will reportedly ride on the MB.EA platform, while the ICE model could retain the existing MRA2 architecture. It is safe to assume that advancements in EV technology will result in greater range figures compared to the outgoing EQE which rides on EVA underpinnings.
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Mercedes also promised that the new electric E-Class will bring “benchmark interior noise comfort”. The executive sedan will also adopt the next generation of ADAS giving it L2++ and L3 Highway capabilities. Finally, you can expect the latest technology in terms of software and connectivity inside the cabin.
The debut of the electric Mercedes E-Class is expected by 2027. By that time, the ICE-powered W214 E-Class will be four years old, making it the right time for a major mid-lifecycle update. Over the next few years, we expect Mercedes to ditch the mules in favor of camouflaged prototypes of the electric sedan with the final production body.
