Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung: when Mercedes shows that, when it wants to, it still knows how to build cars

Mercedes has recently been on everyone’s lips more for the wrong reasons than the right ones, partly due to presentations such as that of the new C-Class, with a design that people still can’t quite understand, and also because of the AMG Coupe GT, which, besides having a design that few people like, has also arrived in an electric format, something that the true fans of the Affalterbach brand will not accept.

But fortunately, at Mercedes and especially at AMG, they have not forgotten how to make or design cars, as they have shown us with the new Mercedes‑AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, which is based on the CLE series of the German brand. With this new model, Mercedes-AMG wants to make peace with its most purist customers, launching a model in which driving dynamics take priority, whether we are on mountain roads or on a circuit, all topped off with a high-performance engine with no electrification whatsoever, just as it should be.

Its elongated bonnet hides the new AMG M177 EVO V8 twin-turbo 4.0-litre engine, improved in aspects such as the new flat-plane crankshaft that reduces rotating masses, improves the ability to rev higher and provides an immediate throttle response; a new triple cooling circuit as well as specific engine management. All of this to deliver a spectacular 646 CV together with a maximum torque of 850 Nm available between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm, which is sent exclusively to the rear axle with the help of an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential and the AMG SpeedShift TCT nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Once the engine of the Mercedes‑AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung comes to life every time we start it, we are treated to a ferocious melody from the V8, staged through the high-performance titanium exhaust system, with a rear section designed jointly with Akrapovič. If its sound thrills you, it will do so even more with its brutal acceleration, since it can reach 200 km/h in just 11.4 seconds and attain a limited top speed of 310 km/h, while braking with complete confidence thanks to the high-performance AMG composite ceramic brakes, with 420 mm discs and six-piston calipers on the front axle and 360 mm discs with single-piston calipers on the rear axle.

Before leaving the dynamic side of the Mercedes‑AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, we cannot forget its steel coilover suspension, developed jointly by Mercedes‑AMG and KW Automotive. It features four-way adjustable dampers in rebound and compression for both high and low speeds, and for the latter, the adjustments also influence body movements during braking, acceleration and cornering.

Obviously, all this power and tuning is accompanied by distinctive styling thanks to a heavily modified body. Perhaps the most striking feature, the one that gives it an overwhelming presence on the road, is its width, which is increased by 60 mm compared with the base model, partly thanks to the use of carbon fibre in areas such as the new wheel arches with integrated air outlets, a material also used elsewhere, such as the redesigned adjustable front apron with large cooling air intakes, the side sill panels, the bonnet with a central cold-air intake, the roof and the newly developed rear apron with diffuser; the reinforced boot lid and the striking manually adjustable rear spoiler are also made of carbon fibre. Furthermore, in its quest to reduce weight, Mercedes-AMG has opted for polycarbonate for the rear side windows and the rear window.

Mercedes-AMG equips the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung with other design elements such as the exclusive AMG Performance forged wheels and the unique colours for this model, called Mojave Silver Magno for the front section and, from the B-pillar back, Obsidian Black Magno, not to mention specific badges that tell us we are looking at a very special model.

The Mercedes‑AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is a vehicle clearly oriented towards the track, although it is perfectly homologated for use on open roads, but for that reason certain comfort concessions have been waived in favour of greater sportiness and aggressiveness, such as the removal of the rear seats from the interior or most of the sound-deadening material, together with reduced comfort features and the elimination of several driving modes and assistance systems, which allows the number of buttons on the AMG steering wheel to be reduced. All of this with the aim of reducing weight, and to show you how seriously Mercedes-AMG has taken this, even the audio system has been simplified.

In this regard, it also features lightweight carbon-fibre door panels as well as ultra-lightweight competition-style bucket seats of high-end specification as standard. Optionally, through the Performance Package, these can be fitted with six-point harnesses to hold both driver and passenger more firmly in place, not to mention the roll bar, which increases torsional rigidity.

The new Mercedes‑AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is the second model to join the exclusive Mercedes‑Benz Mythos Series, which was launched with the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed. Like the latter, the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung will also be built as a limited edition, except in this case in a much smaller run of just 30 units worldwide, so you can imagine how special this model will be.