We don’t expect to see too many 2024 Mercedes E-Class sedans pounding the Nürburgring when the next-generation model hits the streets, but the 13-mile track provides a gold mine of data for engineers tasked with getting the cars ready for next year’s launch. Spy photographers snapped a pair of E-class sedans exercising their luxury-lined bodies around the old Nordschleife track, and though they’re still smothered in disguise, it’s clear that the mid-size luxury sedan is sticking closely to the design template laid out by its S-Class and C-Class siblings.

Codenamed W214, the 2024 E-Class will once again be offered in sedan and wagon body styles, though this is likely the last time Merc will build a load-lugging companion for the traditional four-door. The 2030 E-Class that succeeds this one won’t get a wagon variant due to low demand in big-volume regions like China and North America, which favor SUVs.

 

Like the exterior design, the interior will also borrow heavily from the S-Class. Expect to see a similar dashboard layout with a sloping touchscreen mounted relatively low on the console and superyacht-inspired styling and materials that will make the rival BMW 5-Series look stuffy and old-fashioned by comparison. There’ll be S-Class technology on board, too, including Level 3 autonomous driving, while the E-Class will follow the lead of the EQS electric luxury sedan in being able to accept over-air updates.

The engine lineup should include a mix of mild-hybrid turbocharged four- and six-cylinder gasoline engines, plus diesel options to appease European countries that still like to fill their luxury cars from the icky pump. AMG versions are rumored to switch to four-cylinder power, probably using the electric turbocharger technology recently unveiled on the SL 43 convertible, and a PHEV variant is guaranteed to be a popular choice. It’s also likely to deliver close to double the 55 km)WLTP driving range offered by the current E300 plug-in.

Basic cars will send their power to the rear wheels only and feature coil spring suspension, but high-spec cars will get Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive and air springs. One variant of E-Class we won’t be seeing any time soon, however, is a fully electric one. Buyers looking for an E-Class EV will be pointed in the direction of the new EQE sedan, which is built around a dedicated electric vehicle platform and lands in European showrooms this spring, with U.S. cars following later in 2022.