Mercedes will abandon SBC in favour of conventional brakes, although they will boast features such as wet-weather disc wiping and wheel-selective cornering brake control. Optional ceramic-composite discs could be introduced top-down, starting with the AMG models. The next E-Class will ape the S-Class’s wheel-arch extensions, rising character line below the door handles, massive bumpers, and greenhouse. A more sculpted wide-frame grille, the more geometric nasal air intakes, and the wedge-shaped profile should give W212 a sportier stance, even in estate-guise as pictured here.

Driver assistance in general is a major theme for W212. Expect lane-departure warnings, an eye-movement monitor, traffic-sign identification, road-condition sensors and stability control that accounts for crosswinds, camber changes and tire wear. We’ll get the usual V6- and V8-engines, plus a normally aspirated, 500-plus-bhp 6.3-litre V8 for the E63 AMG model which will be available in estate-guise, too.