Mercedes-Benz will publicly unveil the latest estate version of its E-Class model this week, not at a motor show but the MercedesCup tennis tournament in Stuttgart.
The launch of the sixth-generation model, which goes on sale in July, follows the arrival of the E-Class saloon earlier this year. Its main targets will be big hitters the BMW 5 Series Tourer and the Audi A6 Avant.
A completely new body shape marks out the new E-Class Estate ? evolved from its smaller sibling the C-Class, the body shell is bolder with a more swooping profile.
Despite the new model boasting a lower roof line, Mercedes claims best-in-class rear-seat head and elbow room for the Estate, together with boot space that is 670 litres as standard ? 25 litres less than its predecessor but more than its direct rivals. This can extend to 1820 litres by dropping the rear seats. Cargo capacity can also be extended by 30 litres by repositioning the rear-seat backrest at a 10-degree steeper angle, while before the end of 2016 a third-row folding bench seat will be offered for children, as in previous versions.
Three powertrains will be offered, all matched to the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission as standard. Initial UK models will be 220d versions powered by an all-new four-cylinder 1950cc diesel engine of 191bhp and 295lbft of torque. It will crest 62mph from rest in 7.7 seconds and go on to 146mph, while official combined cycle fuel economy is 67mpg with CO2 emissions of 109g/km.
In late 2016 the E 350d will...