While its debut is still a few months away, our spies have photographed the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon with only a few bits of camouflage. Code-named W212, the E-Class wagon is set to debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, joining the already launched E-Class Sedan and Coupe.
The next E‑Class wagon will ape the S‑Class’s wheel-arch extensions, rising character line below the door handles, massive bumpers, and greenhouse. A more sculpted wide-frame grille, the more geometric nasal air intakes, and the wedge-shaped profile should give W212 a sportier stance, even in estate-guise as pictured here.
It appears to capture some of the R-class’ panache without its unfortunate minivan overtones. Mercedes engineers are reportedly still reeling from quality glitches and electronic gremlins that have plagued the previous-gen E-Class since its inception, so we expect some simplification of the E-Class wagon’s component-set.
Driver assistance in general is a major theme for the new wagon. Expect lane-departure warnings, an eye-movement monitor, traffic-sign identification, road-condition sensors and stability control that accounts for crosswinds, camber changes and tire wear. We’ll get the usual V6 and V8 engines, plus a normally aspirated, 500-plus-horsepower 6.3-liter V8 for the E63 AMG model.
05/18, 12:51 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
AUDI is the kink of wagons!
05/18, 3:30 PM
posted by:
xcatchmyshadowx
hell, even more ugly than the sedan
05/18, 4:29 PM
posted by:
Mutant@DCX
Who was that butler who drove the MB in ‘Hart to Hart?
The dog’s name was Max.
Mercedes should make a El Camino/Ranchero…
What time is it?
I’d like gullwings on the puppy!
05/18, 6:45 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
I don’t think it looks that bad. Howver, Audi/VW does make the best looking wagons, with BMW in a very close second. As long as we’re on the subject, the Volvo and Saab wagons are better looking too.
05/18, 7:28 PM
posted by:
Pazzo Canguri
oh boy is this just wrongggggg…..worse then the sedan which is on par with the coupe….what the hell mercedes….have u just given up?
05/18, 9:46 PM
posted by:
Other Man
It doesn’t look that bad. Stately. Since they won’t offer the 5.5L, they should take the opportunity to offer the new BlueTec twin-turbo diesel V-8 in the USDM wagon with 4Matic.
05/18, 10:30 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
haha…just noticed i wrote kink instead of king…ooops
05/18, 11:53 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I love wagons, but if I ever have the money I would rather spend the equivalent of a rotisserie restoration to stock on my ‘89 Caprice Woody than this. An AMG Station Wagon, get serious.
OK, maybe I’d go for the Vette engine.
05/19, 1:27 AM
posted by:
winnipegjets
id buy this in the amg, that would be insane, too bad we cant get them here in canada, same deal with the m5 wagon. all the functionalities of an suv, but with a 500 hp beast under the hood
05/19, 11:07 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
Damn, I want the next generation Mercedes now. I’m disappointed with this *strange* gen.