Sedan sales may be on the decline, but the situation is even worse when it comes to coupes and convertibles. As a result, most automakers have either scaled back the number of two-door cars they offer or dropped these body styles altogether.
Mercedes-Benz has had one of the most diverse lineups of coupes and convertibles in recent years, but it too has streamlined its sporty offerings. The SLK-Class, S-Class Coupe, S-Class Cabriolet, and AMG GT Roadster have all been discontinued, as have the coupe and convertible versions of the C-Class and E-Class, which were replaced by the single CLE-Class for the 2024 model year.
A sporty CLE 53 was launched by AMG earlier this year with a 443-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine in mild-hybrid configuration, and still to come is a fire-breathing CLE 63 model, with a prototype recently spotted testing.
Elements that point to this particular prototype being a range-topping AMG 63 model include the large wheel and brake combo, prominent air openings up front, and square-shaped exhaust tips. The CLE 53 features round tips.
The CLE 63 is expected to debut in 2025 as a 2026 model for the U.S. Both coupe and convertible body styles are currently being tested.
While the car was previously thought to be coming with the same turbo-4-based plug-in hybrid powertrain featured in the latest C 63 S E Performance sedan—a powertrain good for a combined 671 hp—the latest spy video suggests AMG may be planning to offer a V-8 under the hood. The exhaust note sounds very different from both the 4-cylinder engine and the inline-6 used in the respective C 63 S E Performance and CLE 53 models.
The most likely option is AMG's twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 used in multiple models, where it is typically rated at 577 hp. While this may be lower than the 671 hp of the C 63 S E Performance, a 577-hp CLE 63 would likely still deliver quicker lap times, as it wouldn't have any plug-in hybrid hardware to lug around.
AMG does pair its V-8 with a plug-in hybrid system in some models, enabling the combined peak output to rise to 805 hp. However, the plug-in hybrid system isn't thought to be planned for the CLE.
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