German automaker Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the exclusive CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung coupe, featuring a new 637-horsepower V8 engine. Designed for high speeds and track driving, the model will be limited to just 30 units, all of which have already been sold for €750,000–€800,000 each.
The coupe features rear-wheel drive instead of the previous all-wheel-drive system, a lightweight body and aerodynamic elements. Under the hood is a four-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine with a flat-plane crankshaft, producing 627 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reaches 200 km/h in 11.4 seconds.
The body is wider, while the hood and fenders are made of carbon fiber. Enlarged air intakes cool the engine, while the rear wing and underbody elements press the car against the road. At speeds of around 311 km/h, they generate additional downforce equivalent to more than 250 kg on the wheels, improving stability. Compared with the CLE 53, the track is 60 mm wider, and the body sits lower, enhancing stability through corners.
Inside, a roll bar replaces the rear seats, while sport seats are installed up front. Six-point harnesses are also available as an option. Thanks to polycarbonate windows and other measures, the car's weight has been reduced by approximately 170 kg compared with the CLE 53, although it still weighs 1,895 kg.
At the test track in Immendingen, Germany, specialists praised the steering precision, road grip and cornering stability. Rear-wheel drive allows the driver to control the car's trajectory using the accelerator, while carbon-ceramic brakes provide effective deceleration.
The CLE 646's unveiling comes amid criticism of AMG. Critics complain that the company is abandoning traditional V8 engines in some models in favor of hybrid powertrains.
The CLE 646 is notable not only for its power and price, but also because Mercedes-AMG is using the model to emphasize the direct connection between driver and car. Its rear-wheel-drive layout, lightweight construction and aerodynamic solutions together demonstrate the manufacturer's efforts to preserve the distinctive character of track-focused cars.
This also raises a broader question: what place will traditional V8 engines have in modern sports cars? The CLE 646 does not change the company's overall direction, but it shows that AMG remains willing to create exclusive models focused on classic engine configurations and the driving experience.
