- The second Mercedes Mythos model has premiered as the ultimate CLE.
- A 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 gives the limited-run coupe 637 hp and 627 lb-ft.
- Mercedes-AMG has ditched all-wheel drive and made the car RWD.
It’s been 14 long years since Mercedes released the jaw-dropping C63 AMG Black Series, a car that helped to define a truly crazy era of the AMG brand. Now, the company has unveiled a model in the same spirit, dubbed the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, serving as the automaker’s second Mythos model.
We’ve known about AMG’s plan to release a wild, limited-run version of the CLE for quite some time, and this car – at least on paper – does not disappoint. Like the Mercedes-AMG Purespeed, the CLE 646 is a performance-focused weapon that will be extraordinarily difficult to come by. It also has a name that only native German speakers will have any hope of pronouncing correctly.
Read: Mercedes’ V8 Was Supposed To Be Mythos-Only, This CLE Says Otherwise
The key ingredient in this wild recipe is the engine. Mercedes-AMG has fitted a modified version of its latest M177 EVO 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, as rumors suggested. In the Spezialanfertigung, this engine delivers 637 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm.
Helping ensure the CLE 646 sounds like a proper AMG, despite the flat-plane crank, it comes standard with an Akrapovic exhaust, using plenty of titanium. Cooling has also improved, with the V8 now sporting a high-temperature cooling circuit for the engine, plus two low-temperature circuits for charge air and transmission oil cooling. The 48-volt components are also cooled.
Rear Wheel Drive, Baby
Arguably just as important as the engine is how power is sent to the pavement. Gone is the typical all-wheel drive system you’ll find in other AMG models, and instead, the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is exclusively rear-wheel drive. It also adds an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, perfect for some dramatic sideways action. Working alongside the V8 is a familiar nine-speed automatic transmission.
The sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes 3.9 seconds, while the CLE 646 then hits 124 mph (200 km/h) in 11.4 seconds. By comparison, the outgoing C 63 S with its plug-in hybrid turbo-four hits 62 mph in 3.4 seconds. Unlike that car, however, the Spezialanfertigung actually has some soul and will no doubt be much more exhilarating to drive.
Carbon Fiber Everywhere
The car’s design is far removed from the standard CLE. Mercedes’ designers have transformed the front end with a new bumper, carbon fiber splitter, and a custom hood, while also adding flared arches at all four corners. Huge 305/30 ZR 20 front and 335/30 ZR 20 rear tires have been fitted, using tire tech from the AMG One hypercar. Somewhat reminiscent of the old C63 AMG Black Series is the huge fixed carbon fiber rear wing.
With more carbon fiber, plus a rear-wheel-drive setup and tweaked chassis components, the Spezialanfertigung weighs roughly 375 lbs less than the donor car. But it’s still relatively porky, tipping the scales at 4,178 lbs (1,895 kg).
Ensuring the CLE 646 can do much more than accelerate quickly are custom Mercedes-AMG and KW suspension components, including four-way adjustable dampers with rebound and compression settings that can be tweaked. It also comes standard with massive carbon ceramic brakes, with six-piston calipers up front and surprisingly small single-piston units at the rear.
What About The Cabin?
The lightweighting philosophy continues into the car’s interior with lightweight front bucket seats, the removal of the rear seats, carbon fiber door panels, optional harnesses, and a simpler audio system.
Mercedes has not mentioned how much the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung costs, but it says all 30 units destined for production have been sold.
