Unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show ahead of its rollout this spring, the fifth-generation model is 43mm longer and with a 65mm increase in its wheelbase. It also makes widespread use of aluminium and ultra-high strength steel to reduce weight.

In Europe, the new E-Class will come with a choice of two engines at market launch: the E200 with a 184hp four-cylinder petrol engine and the E220 d with an all-new 195hp four-cylinder diesel engine. The latter will offer a best-in-class 102g/km and a claimed 3.9l/100km with the new 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic gearbox, which comes as standard.

These will be joined later by an entry-level 150hp four-cylinder diesel and a 262hp six-cylinder diesel. Petrol engines will include an E400 4MATIC six-cylinder unit 333hp and a range of four-cylinder versions with outputs from 183 to 245hp.

Mercedes will also offer a 350 e plug-in hybrid with CO2 emissions of 49g/km and 2.1l/100km.

The E-Class comes with steel suspension as standard but will also offer air suspension as an option with the driver able to select from four modes – “Comfort”, “ECO”, “Sport” and “Sport+” – as well an individually configurable setting.

In-car technology highlights include updated an infotainment and control system with the option of two 12.3-inch screens and touch-sensitive control buttons on the steering wheel. The infotainment system will also an electronic touchpad with controller in the centre console, which can recognise handwriting, and the Linguatronic voice control system.

Driver assistance systems include the Drive Pilot system, which includes Distance Pilot Distronic for use on motorways and country roads to keep the correct distance behind vehicles in front automatically and follow them at a speed of up to 210km/h. Additional Drive Pilot features include, for the first time, an Active Lane-change Assistant, which provides semi-autonomous lane changing.

The E-Class also includes the Remote Parking Pilot system, which allows the vehicle to be moved into and out of garages and parking spaces remotely using a smartphone app, enabling the occupants to get into and out of the car easily, even if space is very tight.