On September 10, 2026, Mercedes-AMG presented the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, a coupé with a 4.0-liter V8 producing 646 hp and rear-wheel drive. It was built on the CLE 53 platform, but the engine swap also brought revised suspension, a reworked body and the removal of some interior equipment. According to the official Mercedes-AMG release, production is limited to 30 cars, and the entire series was sold before its world premiere.
The name Spezialanfertigung means special manufacture: the cars are rebuilt by hand in Affalterbach. The return of the V8 comes with a change in the coupé's purpose: the CLE 646 is much more track-focused, although the manufacturer says it is approved for use on public roads.
CLE 53 vs. CLE 646: the key differences
On December 5, 2023, AMG introduced the CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé. It used a 3.0-liter inline-six, all-wheel drive and AMG RIDE CONTROL adaptive suspension. This model provided the technical basis for the CLE 646, but the new version received its own set of solutions for both road and track driving.
Parameter | CLE 53 4MATIC+ | CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung |
|---|---|---|
Engine | Inline six-cylinder, 3.0 liters | 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 |
Engine output | 449 hp / 330 kW | 646 hp / 475 kW |
Engine torque | 560 N·m; up to 600 N·m for 12 seconds with Overboost | 850 N·m |
Drivetrain | All-wheel drive, AMG Performance 4MATIC+ | Rear-wheel drive |
Transmission | AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G | AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G |
0–100 km/h | 4.2 seconds | 3.9 seconds |
Top speed | 250 km/h; 270 km/h optional | 310 km/h |
The power difference is 197 hp, while the gap in the 0–100 km/h sprint is just 0.3 seconds. The table alone does not explain every reason for this relationship, but it shows why the conversion cannot be judged solely by launch acceleration. AMG also quotes 11.4 seconds for the CLE 646 to reach 200 km/h.
How the V8 works and why it is still electrified
The M177 EVO engine uses a flat-plane crankshaft. According to AMG, this reduces rotating mass and helps the engine build revs and respond to the throttle more quickly. The maximum 850 N·m is available from 2500 to 4500 rpm.
The cooling system is designed for heavy loads, with three circuits serving the engine, charge air, transmission oil and 48-volt components. The rear section of the exhaust system was developed with Akrapovič; the use of titanium helped reduce weight.
The V8 does not mean giving up electric assistance
The CLE 646 retains its 48-volt starter-generator. AMG lists its output separately as 17 kW, or 23 hp, with 205 N·m of torque. These figures cannot simply be added to the engine's 646 hp and 850 N·m: the manufacturer presents them separately rather than as the total output of the powertrain.
Rear-wheel drive and four-way adjustable suspension
The 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system has been removed. The nine-speed automatic sends power exclusively to the rear wheels, which are connected by an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. Launch Control has been recalibrated for this layout.
The CLE 53's adaptive suspension has been replaced by a coilover setup with steel springs developed jointly with KW automotive. The dampers allow independent adjustment of compression and rebound at both low and high shaft speeds. The ride height is 22 mm lower at the front and 16 mm lower at the rear.
Low speed and High speed: what do they mean?
These terms refer to damper movement, not vehicle speed. Slow movements are associated with body motion under braking, acceleration and cornering. Fast movements occur, for example, when a wheel hits a bump or a kerb. Separate settings allow the suspension to respond differently in each situation.
The brakes are also designed for track use: the front axle has 420 mm ceramic discs with six-piston calipers, while the rear uses 360 mm discs. Additional air intakes and airflow guides help dissipate heat.
Carbon fiber, a wider track and two aerodynamic settings
The track has been widened by 60 mm at each axle. The hood, roof, fender flares and several other body components are made from carbon fiber; the rear side windows and rear window are made from polycarbonate. The total weight saving compared with the base model is approximately 170 kg. Even so, the CLE 646 has a DIN weight of 1895 kg.
On the official CLE 646 page, AMG describes the interaction between the front diffuser, wheel-arch ventilation channels, underbody and rear wing. The front diffuser can be switched manually between Street and Race settings, and the rear wing is adjustable as well.
Road approval and the Race setting are different things
The Race setting for the front diffuser is intended for track use only. The car's ability to be driven on public roads does not automatically apply to every aerodynamic setting. The claimed downforce exceeds 250 kg at maximum speed; it is not a constant value at every driving pace.
What had to be sacrificed inside
The rear seats and sound-deadening materials have been removed, while the multimedia and audio systems have been reduced. AMG also reports the deletion of assistance and convenience systems, including PARKTRONIC parking assistance.
The cabin features lightweight racing seats, carbon-fiber door panels and a safety bar that further increases body rigidity. Six-point harnesses are included in the optional Performance package. Road approval does not restore the CLE 646's practicality as a conventional coupé: the second row is gone, and some familiar equipment has been sacrificed to reduce weight.
What this premiere means for CLE buyers
The CLE 646 is the second car in the Mythos series after the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed. The 30-car limit and the fact that the entire series sold out before the premiere show that this is a collector project, not another engine choice in the regular CLE range. The September 10, 2026 release does not state a price.
The premiere confirms the V8's arrival in this special version. By itself, it does not confirm the launch timing or specifications of any other future CLE models with an eight-cylinder engine. The main change to the car that has already been presented is clear: AMG combined the V8 with rear-wheel drive, an adjustable chassis and a stripped-back cabin rather than simply replacing the engine.
