2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan spied almost disguise free

Lately we've had a lot of good looks at the next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class, including photos from our spy photographers of both the sedan and wagon, as well as the interior.

As the new E-Class nears its date with the red carpet, it has shed more and more of its disguise during its gestation.

These latest photos show the next-gen sedan wearing just a few bits of tape over the headlights, badges, the lower air intake area, parts of the rear bumper, tail-lights, and boot lid. This is around the same amount of camouflage as seen in a recent spy video, although these photos provide a much closer and clearer look than that YouTube video did.

The car's overall design, as well as its specific styling details, share a lot in common with both the volume-selling C-Class below and the range-topping S-Class above.

Under the skin, the new E-Class will ride on a stretched and widened version of the MRA rear- and all-wheel drive platform that underpins the latest-generation C-Class range.

As with many recent vehicle debuts, the new E-Class will see a drop in weight of around 100 kilograms thanks to the adoption of high-strength steel and other lightweight components.

Motivation is expected to come from a selection of four-, six, and eight-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel motors, as well as a plug-in hybrid variant. It's possible that at some, if not all, models will feature a new 48V electrical system.