Mercedes-AMG has taken the CLE coupe to an entirely different level with the new Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, a hand-built, ultra-limited performance car created for drivers who want a far more focused alternative to the regular CLE lineup.
The new coupe is the second model in Mercedes-Benz’s exclusive Mythos series, following the AMG PureSpeed. Only 30 examples of the CLE 646 will be built, and Mercedes says every one had already been spoken for before the car made its public debut.
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Unlike the regular AMG CLE53, the CLE 646 drops all-wheel drive in favor of a rear-wheel-drive layout and brings back a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 specifically developed for this application. The result is a 646-PS machine with a much stronger focus on lightweight construction, chassis tuning and track performance.
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A 4.0-Liter Twin-Turbo V-8 With 646 PS
The heart of the CLE 646 is an extensively developed version of AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8.
It produces 646 PS (637 hp) and 850 Nm of torque, with peak torque available from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. A flat-plane crankshaft helps reduce rotating mass and gives the engine a sharper response as the revs climb.
AMG has also upgraded the cooling system for sustained high-load driving. The engine uses three separate cooling circuits, including dedicated low-temperature circuits for charge air and transmission oil as well as the 48-volt electrical components.
The exhaust system was developed with Akrapovič, with titanium components helping reduce weight while giving the V-8 a more aggressive soundtrack.
Rear-Wheel Drive Instead of AWD
Perhaps the biggest change compared with the CLE53 is the drivetrain.
The CLE 646 sends its power exclusively to the rear wheels through AMG’s nine-speed SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-62 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph.
That rear-drive setup isn’t just about straight-line performance. AMG has engineered the CLE 646 around driver involvement, with a specially developed coilover suspension featuring four-way adjustable dampers.
Lightweight Construction Cuts Nearly 375 Pounds
Mercedes-AMG has gone much further than simply fitting a bigger engine.
The CLE 646 weighs around 170 kg (375 pounds) less than the CLE53, thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber and the removal of equipment that isn’t essential to performance.
The car gets a carbon-fiber hood, front-end components, roof, side sills and rear bumper. The rear seats are also removed, while lighter glazing, a lighter starter battery and reduced sound insulation help cut additional mass.
The finished car has a claimed DIN curb weight of 1,895 kg.
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The Interior Is Built Around Performance
Inside, AMG has stripped the CLE down rather than adding more luxury equipment.
There are racing bucket seats, no rear bench, less acoustic insulation and a simpler sound system. Mercedes-AMG has also reduced the number of driving modes and assistance functions compared with the regular CLE, keeping the cabin focused more heavily on the driver.
Carbon-fiber door panels further reinforce the track-focused character.
Buyers can also specify a Performance package with six-point harnesses, pushing the CLE 646 even closer to a road-legal track machine.
Widebody Design With Serious Aero
The CLE 646 isn’t simply a CLE53 with a more powerful engine.
AMG has created a substantially wider body, with the front and rear tracks increased by 60 mm. The bodywork also incorporates large carbon-fiber sections and additional structural reinforcement.
The front end gets massive cooling openings, a large hood vent and an extended grille that visually flows toward the front splitter.
At the back, the coupe features a huge diffuser, stacked quad exhaust outlets and a prominent rear wing with a manually adjustable center section.
The aerodynamic package is designed to generate more than 550 pounds of downforce at top speed, giving the CLE 646 the kind of visual and aerodynamic attitude normally associated with serious track-focused specials.
The car rides on 20-inch forged wheels, wrapped in extremely wide tires measuring 305/30 at the front and 335/30 at the rear.
Carbon-Ceramic Brakes and Adjustable Suspension
Stopping power is equally serious.
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 gets carbon-ceramic brakes with 16.5-inch front discs and 14.2-inch rear discs. The front setup uses six-piston fixed calipers.
Underneath, the four-way adjustable coilover suspension allows the damping characteristics to be independently tuned for different compression and rebound settings.
That gives owners considerably more control over how the car behaves on both road and track.
Only 30 Will Ever Be Built
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is the second vehicle under Mercedes-Benz’s Mythos label, which is reserved for highly exclusive collector-focused models.
The first was the AMG PureSpeed, an open-top two-seat performance car limited to 250 examples.
The CLE 646 is considerably rarer, with only 30 cars planned worldwide. Each one is hand-built at Mercedes-AMG’s Affalterbach facility, and the entire production run was already sold before the car’s world premiere.
Mercedes-AMG has not announced pricing for the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung.
Mercedes-AMG CLE 646: Key Specifications
| Specification | Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0L twin-turbo V-8 |
| Power | 646 PS / 637 hp |
| Torque | 850 Nm / 627 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| 0-62 mph | 3.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 193 mph |
| Curb Weight | 1,895 kg / 4,178 lb |
| Front Tires | 305/30 |
| Rear Tires | 335/30 |
| Production | 30 units |
| Status | Sold out |
| Price | Not announced |
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Is a Modern Throwback
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is an unusual move from Mercedes-AMG at a time when high-performance cars are increasingly moving toward electrification and hybrid assistance.
Instead of chasing maximum technology, AMG has created a lighter, rear-wheel-drive coupe with a big twin-turbo V-8, aggressive aerodynamics and a heavily simplified cabin.
With only 30 examples being built, the Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 isn’t really a new model for the mass market. It’s a collector’s piece—and perhaps one of the most extreme CLE-based cars Mercedes-AMG has created.
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Raj Prajapati is a Senior Automotive Content Writer at AutoIndiaDaily. A B.Tech graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, he leverages over four years of experience covering Indian car and bike launches, EV tech, and market dynamics to break down complex automotive regulations into simple consumer guides. Specialising in Indian motor vehicle laws, IRDAI updates, and ownership costs, Raj translates technical auto policies into actionable advice for everyday drivers.