The very first pictures of the new Mercedes-Benz E-L, it will debut on Saturday at the Shanghai Auto Show. One silver example was seen arriving completely uncovered at the exhibition hall. The E-L is a China-only stretched variant of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it is made in China by the Beijing-Benz joint venture.

Note roof line. The E-L is extended by 11 centimeter for more space in the back. The China-made Mercedes E-Class will be available as the E400 Hybrid, E200L, E260L and E300L. The translates at: 333hp 3.0 + electric motor, 184hp 1.8 turbo, 204hp 1.8 turbo, and a 231hp 3.0 V6. The addition of the hybrid is new and marks the  first time Mercedes-Benz makes a hybrid car in China.

Mercedes is ahead of the pack here, and that doesn’t happen very often. None of the competitors, including Audi, BMW, Lexus and Infinity, make hybrids locally, although Audi seems to have plans to do so. Whether it will help sales is however another question; Chinese car buyers consider hybrids far too expensive, but 333 horses are a good argument…