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2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class lineup shows its freshened face

Mercedes-Benz showed us its redesigned 2014 E-Class more than a month ago, but the Detroit Auto Show finally gave us a chance to see the full family of mid-size luxury cars and wagons in the flesh. Dieter Zetsche introduced the cars, including sedan, coupe, convertible and station wagon, on stage showing the stylish new design direction.
The wagon and sedan versions (shown as the E400 Hybrid above) will go on sale this spring, while the coupe and cabriolet will hit showrooms over the summer. Check our new gallery of live shots for the entire 2014 E-Class lineup, as well as the previously released press release below.

Mercedes to roll out C63 AMG late in 2014 with 4.0L V8

The new 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is upon us, launching initially in North America with turbocharged four-cylinder C300 4Matic and six-cylinder C400 4Matic flavors. But that's only the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the vast array of powertrain configurations that will be offered in the new C-Class in markets around the world. Orders will soon be rolling in for gasoline, hybrid and diesel engines with four, six or eight cylinders, driving the rear wheels or all four, with the seven-speed automatic transmission soon to be replaced by a new nine-speed unit. But what enthusiasts are really looking forward to is the next C63 AMG.
As BMW has done with the M3 (and new M4), Mercedes has gradually ratcheted up the cylinder count in its AMG C-Class, graduating from the 3.6-liter V6 in the original C36 AMG to the 4.3-liter V8 in the C43 AMG, then the 5.5-liter V8 in the C55 AMG before going the distance with the sublime 6.2-liter V8 in the C63 AMG. Like its rivals, Mercedes is expected to use turbochargers as a replacement for displacement in the next model, but unlike its Bavarian rival, it won't be losing any cylinders in the process.
Skipping the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 that has gone on to power other AMG models, the next C63 AMG is still expected to introduce a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing between 450 and 500 horsepower. It'll also reportedly keep the same seven-speed automatic transmission (instead of switching to the new nine-speed), but the jury's still out on whether it'll come with rear- or all-wheel drive (or offer buyers the choice). The downsized V8 - codenamed M177 - is then expected to find its way into other models, but the C-Class will be the first to get it when it arrives before the end of the new year ahead.

Mercedes GLE Coupe spotted in almost undisguised AMG form

Say what you will regarding the form and function of the BMW X6, the bottom line is that BMW essentially pioneered a winning formula, sloping a roofline onto an existing model to make a new and highly lucrative) derivative. No wonder rival Mercedes-Benz is clamoring to follow suit with models like the one pictured here. Under development for some time now, the model originally slated to be called the MLC and now expected to be dubbed GLE Coupe looks about ready for its big debut. It's based on the replacement for the current M-Class (to be rechristened GLE) but with that vital sloping roofline to make it more rakish. This particular example seems to be an AMG version and was spied with only minimal camouflage around the front and rear bumpers while undergoing testing in snowy climes. That could be the full-on GLE63 AMG performance variant, or the new AMG Sport model destined to debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month. If it's the former, expect it to be packing the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 as the new Mercedes-AMG GT, where it produces either 462 horsepower or 510 depending on spec - ready to take on the X6 M and whatever Audi is preparing to throw at it.