Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 Spotted As V8 Power Returns To Fight The BMW M4

Last month, we saw a nearly finished prototype of Mercedes-AMG's upcoming Mythos CLE, a low-volume monster that will sit above "regular" AMG coupes. Now, our spies have captured the more attainable CLE 53 and CLE 63, and they too are nearly ready to be revealed as Affalterbach's alternatives to the BMW M440i and M4, respectively. For the first time, these sporty coupes have been spotted with completed, albeit camouflaged, bodywork, including finalized taillight clusters. As expected, these have adopted the Three-pointed Star as the motif for their LED daytime running lights, just as is the case on the front end. The hardcore Mythos variant will be easy to tell apart with its more aggressive bodywork, but how does one tell the difference between the CLE 53 and CLE 63?

Subtle Differences Separate AMG's CLE Coupes

The grey CLE coupe on the left and the blue one on the right look almost identical, sharing the same taillights, trunk lids with integrated spoilers, and wheels, but their rear bumpers and diffusers differ. While both have false vents behind their rear wheels, the CLE 63's are bigger, and although their diffuser panels both have two fins and space for four exhaust tips, the 63's are squared, taking on a rhombus shape, while the less powerful 53 has round tips. These test mules still have extensive camouflage over their front ends, so telling them apart is tricky, but we expect similar subtlety to define these cars' noses, with the CLE 63 likely to get slightly more aggressive openings and a chunkier chin spoiler.

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As usual, star-shaped DRLs first seen on the CLA and a gaping Panamericana grille will be the defining features of both faces, and we expect subtle grille-like badges on the fenders behind the front wheels. Our spies didn't get close enough to snap images of the cabin, but we expect a new steering wheel with more physical buttons in place of the haptic controls currently offered. MB.OS is expected to run the infotainment system, but the screens and most of the rest of the cabin are not likely to change much. Fortunately, what's under the hood will.

V8 Power Returns to CLE 63

While the CLE 53 is expected to continue with its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, currently producing 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, the CLE 63 will get the new V8 engine first seen in the 2027 S-Class. This flat-plane crank twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter powerhouse will be offered in three forms, and in the CLE 63, it's expected to produce in the region of 600 horsepower, easily surpassing any current BMW M3 or M4 (up to 543 hp in the all-wheel-drive CS models) and leaving room for the 646-hp Mythos CLE. The engine will be assisted by a mild-hybrid system, so the weight shouldn't be too high. A debut is expected before the end of 2026 for the 2027 model year, and with these test mules looking just about complete, it won't be long before Mercedes reveals what it's been working on.

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