Will grow in size

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class has returned in a new set of spy images showing a fully camouflaged prototype while undergoing cold winter testing.

Don't hold your breath for a brand new design from Mercedes-Benz as the overhauled E-Class will look essentially like a bigger C-Class (or a smaller S-Class) which isn't necessarily a bad thing but some folks would appreciate a more diverse design across the range. It will be larger than the outgoing model but lighter at the same time as a result of making the switch to the MRA platform also used by the C.

A previous spy photo of the interior cabin showed a layout very similar to what the S-Class has but we are not sure that was the actual final design which will be seen in the production-ready car. Other details are not available at this point but given the stretched wheelbase, expect rear passengers to enjoy a significantly larger amount of legroom.

As far as the engines are concerned, chances are the base model to be powered by a small three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline motor while at the other end of the spectrum there's going to be a V8 4.0-liter twin-turbo taken from the C63 AMG and AMG GT. In-between there should be a newly developed range of inline-six engine although nothing is confirmed at this point.

Rumors are indicating a March 2016 sales launch for the E-Class Sedan, followed later on by a long wheelbase sedan, coupe, estate and cabrio.

Based on the MRA arhitecture

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been photographed while testing in Italy.

Spotted by an AlVolante reader in Milan, the machine has German license plates and wears a heavy black and white camouflage. As reported before, the model will receive the styling from the S-Class with similar headlights and taillights.

Based on the MRA platform, the model will grow in size and will be lighter than its predecessor. A new range of diesel and petrol engines with displacement ranging from 2.2 to 3.5 liters is expected, while there’s a possibility for a plug-in version too. The range-topping E63 AMG will likely be powered by a twin-turbo 4.0 V8 unit mated exclusivel to a 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

Getting twin-turbo V8 4.0-liter engine

Australian media is reporting the next generation Mercedes-AMG E63 could be offered exclusively with an all-wheel drive arrangement.

This is more than just a mere rumor as AMG boss Tobias Moers told Motoring the next-gen E63 could be offered only with a 4MATIC all-wheel drive system receiving power from a twin-turbo V8 4.0-liter engine borrowed from the new C63. No exact power figures have been released by Moers said the engine has a "lot more room for more horsepower and more torque."

We remind you the motor develops 476 HP & 650 Nm in the C63 and 510 HP & 700 Nm in the C63 S so expect these figures to increase for the larger and heavier E63. The same uprated motor will also find its way under the hood of the next generation CLS.

There are a couple of reasons why AMG could decide to eliminate the RWD E63, with the most important being the popularity of the AWD model, especially at home in Germany where 95 percent of the E63 customers have selected the 4MATIC model. In addition, Moers said in-house testing have proved the all-paw model is quicker around the track than its rear-wheel drive sibling.

Taking into account the next-gen E-Class is scheduled to hit the market in 2016, chances are the fully-fledged AMG model will be out in 2017.

There's a new generation E-Class brewing in Mercedes' kitchen and our spies have caught up with a fresh prototype that does away with the heavy plastic camo.

The car remains covered in foil wraps, but we can now see the shape of the front and rear ends without distraction from the padded faux surfaces found in previous testers, while Mercedes has also grafted on the production models' fascia with the prominent front grille.

Exterior styling will be influenced by the C-Class and S-Class sedans, with the new E-Class obtaining curvier surfaces and lines than the more angular current model. At the end of last year, our spies had the opportunity to take a glimpse at the luxury sedan's cabin, which borrows heavily from the bigger S-Class mimicking its center console and dashboard design.

Like the latest C-Class and S-Class, the new E-Class is built on a version of Mercedes' modular, rear-wheel drive MRA platform, with the pictures suggesting that the sedan will be lower and wider, with shorter overhangs and a longer wheelbase than the W212 series it replaces.

More changes will be found under the hood, as the new running gear will allow Mercedes to offer very efficient plug-in hybrid versions alongside the usual four, six and eight-cylinder turbo engines, including a range topping 4.0-liter bi-turbocharged V8 from the AMG GT for the E63 AMG in a higher state of tune with around 600-horses. A nine-speed automatic transmission will drive the rear or all-four wheels.

The new E-Class sedan is set to arrive in 2016, probably as a 2017MY in North America.