The backlash against Mercedes-AMG when it launched a four-cylinder, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) successor to the mighty C 63 remains palpable to this day, and has clearly rattled the execs at the company’s Affalterbach headquarters.
Evidence of this has come in the form of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 being stuffed full of 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 goodness instead of the E-Performance four-cylinder powertrain from the C 63 and GLC 63 – which was touted to be thrown into the coupe as well.
Sales have apparently been underwhelming for the four-cylinder hybrid variants, with Driving Enthusiast reporting the potential product re-think as far back as August 2023. Prototypes of V8-powered CLE 63 models featuring the M177 are tangible confirmation of this.
Expected to feature a mild-hybrid setup, the coupe (and convertible) will feature improved emissions and fuel consumption compared with its predecessor, while packing around 436kW of punch, according to an Autocar report. This easily eclipses the 330kW output of the six-cylinder CLE 53.
Speaking to international media at the 2024 Beijing Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz’s chief of R&D operations, Markus Schäfer, quipped that it will be “ up to customers to decide” whether the V8 returns, or the company persists with electrified options, adding: “We will stay close to the feedback of people and customers, and then we will go from that.”
While it may forfeit the ability to drive in zero-emission zones, the customers have spoken and it would appear Mercedes-AMG has heeded the call. Whether this results in a wholesale rethink of C-Class and E-Class AMG variants remains to be seen, but signs are very promising for V8 lovers.
A spy video appeared last year showing a CLE prototype being torture-tested on the Nurburgring. But it sounds like it uses an inline-six or possibly the four-cylinder. This was obviously an early prototype. See the video below and feel free to tell us what you think it sounds like.
