Skip to main content

Who said diesels were dull? The one in the 2016 Mercedes E-Class will rock 400 HP

Mercedes-Benz is in the midst of a big upward shift with its models, since the debut of the entry-level CLA-class. Even though the E-Class is an exceedingly luxurious sedan, the German automaker is keen to improve it.

According to GTSpirit, the next-gen Mercedes E-Class is set to appear in 2016. No special models are slated for debut, just the standard edition.

The E-class platform will remain roughly the same but the fifth generation E-Class will more drivetrain options, including a twin-turbocharged straight-six that makes 376 horsepower or a tuned-up version of that same motor, which could produce around 435 hp. A new 2.9-liter turbo diesel could be the second option. The power output of which could be anywhere from 300 to 400 hp and 400 to 500 pound-feet of torque.

Mercedes-Benz will always have its sights set on rivaling with BMW and Audi, so the new turbo-diesel drivetrain should compete directly with BMW’s TwinPower and Audi’s excellent twin-turbo diesel setup.

Of course the E-Class would not be complete without a hybrid variant. The hybrid will likely be powered by a 170-hp diesel or four-cylinder gas engine bolted to an electric motor, which supposedly will produce 120hp on its own.

Joe Mahan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Joe Mahan is an intern at Digital Trends working in the Cars section. He is currently a Junior at the University of Portland…
Mercedes-Benz G580 first drive: old-school off-roader goes electric
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

American car buyers mostly know Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand. But for decades, the automaker has also produced the tough, rugged G-Class (also known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen), an SUV not afraid to get its leather upholstery muddy. And now, this iconic Mercedes is going electric.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology — the final name of the SUV previously known as the EQG — isn’t the first electric off-roader. The Rivian R1S and R1T and GMC Hummer EV have proven that electric powertrains and off-roading are a great combination. But the electric G-Wagen is different because it’s based on an internal-combustion model — and a very traditional one at that.

Read more
Honda believes hydrogen semi trucks will make the case for fuel cells
Honda hydrogen fuel-cell semi truck.

Honda remains committed to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, but the market for those vehicles remains limited. So Honda is looking at other uses for fuel cells -- including commercial trucks.

To show how that could work, Honda converted a semi truck to fuel-cell power, replacing its diesel engine with three fuel-cell modules. Together, the three modules produce a combined 321 horsepower, and can propel the truck to a top speed of 70 mph. There's enough onboard hydrogen storage capacity for a 400-mile range with a full load, Honda claims.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz G580 vs Rivian R2: Is the much cheaper Rivian actually better?
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off of the new "Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology." Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's basically a new electric G-Wagon. It looks a lot like the G-Wagon you know and love, but with an electric powertrain and a battery. It's not the only electric SUV out there, however, and there are some great ones -- like the Rivian R2.

Both the Mercedes G580 and the Rivian R2 have a lot going for them, but they also approach the electric SUV slightly differently. Is one better than the other? I put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The approach that the two vehicles take to design is quite different -- and you might like one better than the other.

Read more