A photo of what is allegedly the dashboard of the upcoming W214 generation 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has surfaced on Chinese social media channels.

Judging by the simpler looking steering wheel, this is most likely a non-AMG, entry variant’s dashboard.

Curiously, the infotainment screen is using a wide landscape format, as opposed to the W223 / V223 S-Class and W206 C-Class’ tall portrait format screen.

Isn’t it odd if the E-Class that is sandwiched between the smaller C-Class and the bigger S-Class is fitted with a very different user interface concept from rest of the company’s sedan line-up? Afterall, Mercedes-Benz did say that a portrait orientation screen selected for the S-Class and C-Class because this format is better for navigation.

Perhaps a new generation of augmented reality heads-up display is making this redundant? Having a tall screen is good for viewing maps but it sacrifices storage space.

The next generation E-Class, codename W214, will make its global debut sometime in the middle of 2023. An EV-only variant will also be introduced.

Also read: W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class confirmed for 2023 launch, to add EV-only variant

The outgoing generation W213 E-Class is currently on sale in Malaysia at RM 345,888 (E200 Avantgarde) and RM 397,888 (E300 AMG Line). Both models are locally assembled at Pekan.

The current facelift model was launched in July 2021. The W213 E-Class itself was first launched here in June 2016.