Still over a year away, this is the all-new Mercedes E-Class, code-named W212, which is due at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Mercedes has opted for conventional brakes on the new car, although they will boast features such as wet-weather disc wiping and wheel-selective cornering brake control.
The next E-Class will follow the design cues of the S-Class's wheel-arch extensions, rising character line below the door handles, and larger bumpers. A more sculpted wide-frame grille and more geometric air intakes also feature. The overall car has a more sporting appearance thanks to its sleeker profile.
Driver assistance is a major theme for W212; expect lane-departure warnings, road-condition sensors and more.
Ironically, early styling models show an affinity to recent designs by Lexus, which was previously famous for mimicking Mercedes's styling traits.
European job cuts for GM
General Motors Europe plans to slash around 3,000 to 5,600 jobs at its Opel plants across Europe in a drive to improve profitability and streamline production, a German magazine reported on Monday.
GM Europe was in talks with labour representatives to cut jobs through severance packages and outsourcing, Auto Motor Und Sport reported, citing unnamed company sources.
The report quoted Rainer Einenkel, head of the works council at Opel's Bochum plant in Germany, as saying that labour was examining management's extensive proposal for job cuts.
According to the report, Opel plants in Belgium, Germany, Spain and Britain would be affected, as well as a Saab site in Sweden.
An Opel spokesman confirmed there were talks with labour representatives, but called the reported number of jobs to be cut "very speculative" and said the company was not planning drastic job cuts.
"It's about a number of measures to further increase efficiency," the spokesman said, adding that if there should be a need to reduce jobs there would be no forced layoffs.
New moves from Suzuki and Aston Martin
Suzuki has pencilled in an arrival date of 2010 for its new family car.
The car is based loosely on the Kizashi concept vehicle shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year.
It will be set to compete with the likes of the Ford Mondeo or Toyota Avensis.
It will retain its hatchback format but will obviously lose some of the more radical styling.
Before its arrival, the new Alto will go on sale in Ireland at the start of next year.
Aston Martin has confirmed it will produce its four-door Rapide luxury sports saloon in Graz in Austria.
The production location is the result of a partnership with Magna Steyr.
Powered by the V12 engine from the DB9 but uprated to 480 bhp, it will be mated to a ZF Touchtronic gearbox, which has been adjusted to suit the longer wheelbase and more refined ride.