Our spy photographers have captured exclusive photos of the all-new Mercedes E63 AMG – the high performance version of the as yet unrevealed Mercedes E-Class.

Both cars are still at least two years away from showrooms, with the E-Class not due to make its first public appearance until the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Codenamed the W212, Mercedes will be abandoning its Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) system for the new E-Class in favour of conventional brakes.

Although it will boast other features such as wet-weather disc wiping and wheel-selective cornering brake control on all variants instead.

Optional ceramic-composite discs could be introduced from top-down, starting with the AMG model pictured here for the first time, on its way to the legendary German Nürburgring race circuit.

Driver assistance will be a major theme for the new E-Class which is likely to feature 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.

The engine line-up will likely mimic that of the new C-Class with the usual V6 and V8 engine plus the 370kW-plus 6.3-litre V8 for the AMG model.