When the Mercedes-Benz unveiled the AMG C 63 S E Performance as a successor to the previous generation C 63, almost the entire automotive world flipped over due to its electrically turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Sure, it outmuscled the V8-powered C 63 it replaced, but it didn’t match its character and noise. The new Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung offers just that, and so much more.
First off, the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung (which is quite a mouthful) gets the new M177 Evo 4.0-liter twin-turbo flat-plane crank V8 from the facelifted S-Class. Unlike the one in the S-Class, which is tuned for refinement and luxury, the CLE 646’s V8 has been tuned for power and noise. Its 646-horsepower (hence the name) output is the M177 Evo’s most powerful tune yet. It also has a whopping 850 Nm of torque, and all of that is sent to the rear wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The twin-turbo V8 has a 48-volt mild hybrid system, but buyers won’t care about its incremental efficiency gains as this is mostly for performance purposes. Speaking of which, the said mild hybrid tech comes with plenty of cooling, while the rear wheels have an electronic limited-slip differential (LSD).
All of this is good enough for the CLE 646 to sprint from 0-100 kph in 3.9 seconds. This is half a second slower than the 671-horsepower plug-in hybrid C 63 S E Performance, but there’s no doubt it’ll be the more fun and soulfully satisfying car to drive. Helping achieve all of that aura is its titanium exhaust developed with Akrapovic.
With the CLE 646 looking like a GT3-class racecar, it does come with plenty of handling improvements to match its capabilities. The CLE 646 gets bespoke suspension components developed with KW, which include four-way adjustable dampers for rebound and compression. It also gets carbon ceramic brakes for the best stopping power possible.
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 immediately makes its aura known with its outrageously wide body. The CLE 646 dons a completely reworked front end with large air intakes, a gapingly wide Panamericana grille, along with vents at the front fenders for even better aerodynamics. The wider body is meant to accommodate the 20-inch wheels that measure 305 mm wide at the front and an ultra-wide 335 mm at the rear. Topping it all off is a massive fixed carbon fiber rear wing.
Inside, the Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 keeps the fundamentally premium interior intact. Therefore, it still gets a well-finished and premium interior, coupled with the MBUX infotainment system and digital gauges. Where its specialized performance intent is noticeable is with the lighter Alcantara, as well as the use of carbon fiber for the entire foor panels. The Burmester surround sound system can’t be optioned here, while the sound deadening and rear seats have also been removed.
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 is part of the brand’s Mythos lineup of highly exclusive performance models, and only 30 units will be made. Pricing was not disclosed, but it doesn’t matter anyway, since all 30 units have already been spoken for.
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