Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate to debut at Frankfurt

"We are very delighted with this positive response," said Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, "because the E-Class has always been of great importance for Mercedes-Benz. It's an exemplary embodiment of the brand's basic attributes of safety, comfort, and quality."

A number of spy shots of the estate have been captured, and it is expected to keep the family look of the E-Class, with only some minor detail changes.

The estate is due to be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales to begin in Europe by the end of the year. Exports are expected to begin at the start of next year.

The estate will use the same range of engines as the sedan, with four, six and eight cylinder variants of varying outputs ranging from 136bhp to the range topping 525bhp unit found in the E63 AMG. The four-cylinder engines are newly developed direct-injection units, which develop a higher output and torque than the comparable V6-engines of the preceding series despite a smaller displacement.

The top diesel engine available will be the six-cylinder E350 CDI, producing 231bhp and will be more fuel efficient than the previous E320 CDI.

Mercedes will also add a couple of fuel efficient engines to the range, with the E200 CGI BlueEfficiency producing 184bhp and the entry level E200 CDI diesel with 136bhp.The upcoming coupe will also have an E250 CDI BlueEfficiency version.