The next generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class will allegedly be offered with a newly developed inline-six engine.

Mercedes-Benz's straight-six engine is set to make a comeback after being phased out in the mid-90s. It will be part of a new modular engine architecture and will likely be seen for the first time in 2016 when the next-gen E-Class (W213) is expected to come out.

The facelifted C-Class due in 2017 will be offered with a three-cylinder engine part of the new family and will reportedly be refined enough to meet the high standards of Mercedes-Benz customers.

Both the 2016 E-Class and 2017 C-Class are also set to get a new system dubbed "Autobahn Pilot" which company insiders cited by Autocar are describing as an "autonomous driving assistant with an overtaking function."

In related news, latest rumors regarding the upcoming C63 AMG are indicating a V8 4.0-liter twin-turbo engine mated to a seven-speed Speedshift automatic transmission and an optional AWD. When the facelift will be out the 2017 C63 AMG will receive a nine-speed Speedshift. A plug-in hybrid is also programmed to join the C-Class lineup and will have CO2 emissions of 60 g/km.