Really? I am pretty sure the E is the current year model, though the 2018 model should be out soon.
The E is the new model...assuming the '18 model is coming out soon. When do you think they start transitioning to the new model?
Many eons ago I was a brown goods buyer for a BB like retailer...Sony was very strict on advertising sale prices until they were ready to transition to the new model.
Sony was better than all of the manufacturers when it came to thinning out the existing stock before they shipped new models. When retailers start offering advertised discounts on Sony...they were normally within a few months of shipping the new model.
A lot could have changed since the early 90s, but I have a feeling it's somewhat similar today.