Allow us to start this one with an apology. The saloon in question here broke cover a couple of days ago. We, well, weren’t paying attention. Now we’ve come back to our senses. And the first thing to do is look at the refreshed E-Class. Mercedes-Benz claims that over 14 million units, estates and sedans included, have been sold since 1946. As for the pre-facelift, current-gen model, it has found more than 1.2 million customers globally.

All-in-all, the E-Class is a vital cog in Mercedes-Benz’ growth mechanics. And now, its current iteration has received a mid-life refresh. As you’d expect, the updates include a few design changes and the addition of new gadgets. The company has also updated the engine options which, depending on the market, covers seven plug-in hybrids with saloons and estate models.

Starting with the design updates, the E-Class gets revised headlamp (LED as standard, Multibeam as optional) and taillamps, a fresh radiator grille and restyled front and rear bumpers. Even the bonnet has grown some muscles, and the boot lid’s got some design tweaks as well. As for the E-Class All-Terrain, the visual upgrades are reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz SUV range. The Germans have also added new colour options for the exterior and materials for the interior.

Now, technology updates. All E-Class derivatives will come with two 10.25-inch displays (one for the instrument cluster and the other for infotainment purposes). Optionally, however, customers can get two 12.3-inch screens by paying extra. The MBUX system gets its own set of upgrades. For instance, it now comes with augmented reality support. That’s not all. Mercedes-Benz has packed more assistance systems to make driving a safer experience. The new steering wheel comes with capacitive hands-off detection, whereas the Parking Package comes with a 360-degree camera. Others systems such as Active Steering Assist, Active Stop-and-Go Assist and Active Blind Sport Assist, which comes with exit warning, are part of the package as well.

As mentioned above, the Germans will offer the E-Class range with seven plug-in hybrid variants (diesel and petrol, saloon and estate, rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive). The range of powerplants will include both 2.0- and 3.0-litre engines. The complete set of specifications aren’t out yet. But Mercedes-Benz says that power for petrol-fed models will range from 154bhp to 362bhp, and those for the diesel will fall between 158bhp and 326bhp. The M254 petrol engine will also benefit from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system which, in specific circumstances, offers an additional 20bhp/180Nm. All motors will come coupled to a tweaked 9-speed automatic transmission.

There will be markets around the globe where the AMG-spec derivatives will also go on sale. Mercedes-Benz says that the refreshed E-Class range will reach showrooms in Europe in summer 2020. Expect the Indian arm of the German carmaker to introduce the E-Class facelift by the end of the year.