ConceptFascination hints at future of Mercedes E-Class
Mercedes gives us a peek at the future of the E-Class with the ConceptFascination.
- North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Fresh on the heels of the reveal of the C250 BlueEfficiency, Mercedes gives us a peek at the future of the E-Class with the ConceptFascination. As the name indicates, we are only looking at a concept. However, with the still handsome, but slightly dated looking, E-Class due for a refresh, we can expect at least the broad strokes of the concept to translate to production.
Under the hood, the ConceptFascination is powered by the same new 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that will be introduced on the C250 BlueEfficiency. Mercedes has already made public its intentions to use this engine in the next E-Class, so at least the concept's heart is in the right place.
The styling of the ConceptFascination is evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, when compared with the current E-Class. The refresh applies the updated design direction of the C-Class to the proportions of the E-Class. Gone is the simple chrome grille; in its place is a wider single bar grille and huge Mercedes badge, pulled straight off of the C-Class. The E-Class's quad oval headlamps have become quad angular LED headlamps with C-shaped fiber optic running lights. In fact the entire front end becomes more pointed and angular, with a distinct center crease running up the front air dam and along the hood to the windshield, continuing toward the rear of the concept along the roof.
From the side, it can be seen that the ConceptFascination a not quite a wagon, but not quite a coupe, "shooting brake" configuration that we don't see much of these days. Mercedes has mentioned that an E-Class Coupe is in the works, so perhaps this shooting brake concept is showing us what we can expect to see. Overall, the profile has a nice visual flow with its sweeping roofline and muscular rear fenders.
Viewed from the rear, the longitudinal crease started at the front bumper continues and intersects with the rear fender crease. Downward sloped tail lamps, quad rhomboid tail pipes, and a pointed bumper continue the angular theme established by the front end.
While there are no photos of the interior yet, renderings hint that Mercedes will be using a four bucket seat setup, with a center console that flows from the dash back to the rear passenger compartment.