Fifth-gen Merc E-Class leaked 05 | 01 | 2016

THIS IS OUR first view of an official image of the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which has been leaked ahead of next week's Detroit Motor Show.

Unlike the photo, Mercedes is keeping exact details of the car under wraps, though it is understood the new fifth-generation E-Class is larger than the model it replaces.

The newcomer is believed to have a 65mm longer wheelbase, at 2939mm, with the overall length stretched by 43mm to 4923mm. It's also slippier than the outgoing model, with an extremely low 0.23.

Mercedes has previously released an official video (above) which previewed the car's sophisticated headlamps: these are set to feature 84 individually operated LEDs. Watch carefully and you'll see a logo showing the phrase 'Multibeam LED', showing how Mercedes will label the new technology. While standard on range-topping models, expect it to be available, initially, as an option on low- to mid-range models.

Mercedes has also, previously, released images and details of the interior of the new E-Class: click here, to see the Mercedes E-Class interior.

Related: Mercedes reveals 2016 SLC

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Jim McGill