2013 facelift for the Mercedes E Class & Estate revealed

The 2013 Mercedes E Class and E Class Estate get a facelift with updates to the styling and engines and higher levels of equipment.

The restyling of the 2013 E-Class is surprisingly comprehensive for what amounts to a mid-life facelift, with new single headlights replacing the old split lights, new grill – with the choice of a traditional grill or a sporty version (think SLC grill) – new bumpers, new bonnet, smoother haunches and a crease line down the side all the way to the new LED tail lights.

Inside, the new E Class gets two part trim the extends right across the dash in either wood (if you’re old) or aluminium (if you’re not), new analogue clock in the middle between the air vents, new instrument cluster, new air vents, new centre console  and new steering wheel with a Direct Select lever and flappy paddles.

Engines on offer in the new E-Class are the 2.1 litre diesel with 134bhp in the E200CDI, 168bhp in the E220CDI and 201bhp in the E250CDI or 248bhp in the V6 diesel E350 BlueTEC. There’s also the E300 BlueTEC hybrid with the 2.1 diesel from the E250 plus a 26bhp electric motor.

There’s just a single 2.0 litre petrol engine option that comes with 181bhp in the E200 or 208bhp in the E250, that is until the new version of the E 63 AMG arrives, which could be getting a bit of a power hike to compete with the new M5 and Jaguar XFR-S.

Mercedes has taken Distronic Plus on to a new level with ‘Intelligent Drive’ that integrates a host of systems like Stereo multi-purpose camera (which produces a 3D view up to 50 metres in front) and produces data for stuff like Collison Prevention Assist, Attention Assist and other, optional, equipment like Pre Safe, Distronic Plus, Lane Keep Assist, Active Parking, Blind Spot Monitoring and Traffic Sign Assist.

Remarkably, despite the comprehensive changes to the 2013, the new Mercedes E-Class isn’t expected to go up much in price (although Mercedes hasn’t come up with a price list yet). But with first UK deliveries expected in March 2013 they’ll have to get a shake on.

2013 Mercedes E-Class Facelift Photos >>

By Cars UK