Mercedes Weapons for 2017

Every brand has its darling. For BMW, it’s the 3-series. At Honda, it’s the Accord. And for Mercedes-Benz, it is the E-class, the popular and prolific mid-size luxury car that’s been buttering the bread in Stuttgart for nine vehicle generations, soon to be 10. But despite its crucial position in the product range, the E-class was last in line among Benz saloon to get refashioned in Mercedes’ new “Sensual Purity” design language that did wonders for the S-class in 2014 before the C-class adopted it one year later. The outgoing E-class did receive a major restyling for 2014 to hold it over before replacement, but now the long wait for the new car is over. With the arrival of the 2017 E-class, we find that the signature look for this generation of Mercedes-Benz cars is no less beautiful in size medium. While its predecessor appeared rather stiff, even after the mid-cycle update, the new car’s cab-rearward profile, fluted body sides, and gently sloping tail convey a relaxed elegance. Lovely though it may be, little about the E-class’s design actually breaks much new ground.