Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG. Press image.

Mercedes-AMG has presented the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, a road-legal coupé built by hand in Affalterbach and produced in only 30 examples. All the cars were already reserved before the world premiere, and the manufacturer has not communicated the price.

It is the second car in the Mercedes-Benz Mythos series, after the PureSpeed roadster built in 250 units. The “646” name indicates engine output, and the German term “Spezialanfertigung” can be translated as “special construction”.

4.0-litre V8, 646 hp and 850 Nm

Under the bonnet is the AMG M177 EVO engine, a twin-turbo V8 of 3,982 cc with a flat-plane crankshaft. It develops 646 hp between 6,000 and 6,250 rpm and peak torque of 850 Nm, available between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. An integrated starter-generator in the 48 V system can supply an additional 23 hp.

The engine works with an AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission. Unlike the CLE 53 4Matic+ used as the starting point, the new model drops all-wheel drive entirely: power goes only to the rear axle, through an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.

Mercedes-AMG quotes 3.9 seconds for 0–100 km/h, 11.4 seconds to 200 km/h and a top speed of 310 km/h. Consumption and emissions figures are still provisional: 15.8 l/100 km and 359 g CO₂/km.

170 kg lighter than the base model

The CLE 646 weighs 1,895 kg to the DIN standard, about 170 kg less than the base car indicated by the manufacturer. The reduction came from deleting the rear bench, part of the sound insulation and several comfort and assistance features. The rear window and rear side windows are polycarbonate.

The bonnet, roof, wing extensions, sill elements, boot lid, diffuser and rear wing are carbon fibre. Track width has grown by 60 mm on both axles, and the body has received reinforcements and an integrated roll bar.

Adjustable KW suspension and ceramic brakes

The steel coilover suspension was developed with KW Automotive and allows separate four-way damper adjustment. Ride height is reduced by 22 mm at the front and 16 mm at the rear versus the technical base.

The 20-inch forged wheels carry 305/30 ZR20 tyres at the front and 335/30 ZR20 at the rear. The ceramic brakes have 420 mm discs and six-piston fixed calipers at the front, and 360 mm discs at the rear.

For the track, the driver can mechanically adjust the front splitter and the central section of the rear wing. Mercedes-AMG says the aerodynamic package generates more than 250 kg of downforce at top speed. Traction control can be adjusted in nine steps when ESP is switched off.

A CLE for the circuit, not the future series CLE 63

The CLE 646 is not presented as the volume successor to any V8 AMG. It is a collector series, rebuilt by hand from a CLE 53 and intended mainly for circuit use. The 30 units and the disappearance of features such as the parking assistant separate it clearly from the regular CLE range.

For now, Mercedes-AMG has not announced whether the M177 EVO engine with a flat-plane crankshaft or the rear-wheel-drive layout will also reach a wider series model.

Sources: Mercedes-Benz Media – official CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung sheet, Motor1 – model presentation