Mercedes-Benz is set to revive the CLE 63 Cabriolet with a powerful V8 engine. After the underwhelming reception of the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE, Mercedes has decided to return to its roots with a traditional, hand-built V8 for the upcoming CLE 63. This marks a departure from the inline-six engine used in the current AMG 53 series.
Spied testing near the Mercedes-Benz Museum, the camouflaged prototype showcases the distinctive design elements of the CLE 63, including its headlights, taillights, and exhaust finishers. While the interior remains hidden, the exterior hints at a luxurious and sporty driving experience.
The MRA2 platform, Stuttgart’s favorite son’s preferred choice for the CLE, is also used by the C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class. The CLE 63’s AMG-built V8 is most likely the M177. Unlike the M176, which is mostly machine-produced for non-AMG vehicles, the M177 is primarily hand-assembled in Affalterbach.
The M178, previously exclusive to the first-generation AMG GT, is now found in the Aston Martin Valhalla with a flat-plane crankshaft. The CLE 63 is estimated to produce 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque.
Similar to the 2025 Mercedes-AMG G 63, the M177 in the CLE 63 is believed to feature a 48-volt integrated starter generator. The ISG assists the internal combustion engine at lower RPMs, providing an additional 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque.
The CLE 63’s transmission type, whether the SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G or the wet-clutch MCT, remains unclear, but 4MATIC+ all wheel drive is a certainty. The fully variable system seamlessly switches between all wheel drive and rear wheel drive.
To enhance low-speed maneuverability and high speed stability, the CLE 63 also includes rear-axle steering. In the six-cylinder CLE 53, rear-axle steering allows for maximum steering angles of 2.5 degrees and 0.7 degrees, respectively.
