Zakirin
Mercedes-AMG has introduced the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, an ultra-exclusive, track-oriented performance coupe capped at just 30 customer units globally as the second entry in the manufacturer’s bespoke Mythos Series, accompanied by a lighthearted technical preview where Formula 1 drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli struggle with its 19-letter German name.
- Mercedes-AMG unveils the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung as the second limited run within its Mythos Series, restricted to 30 production units worldwide.
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 teammates George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli stumbled when trying to pronounce the German term for “bespoke creation,” before team principal Toto Wolff demonstrated the proper pronunciation.
- The widebody coupe is powered by a 4.0-litre flat-plane crankshaft twin-turbo V8 sending 646 PS and 850 Nm exclusively to the rear wheels, achieving a 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 3.9 seconds.
Der neue Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung. Energieverbrauch kombiniert: 15,8l/100 km | CO₂-Emissionen kombiniert: 359 g/km | CO₂-Klasse: G Die Angaben sind vorläufig. Es liegen bislang weder bestätigte Werte von einer amtlich anerkannten Prüforganisation noch eine EG-Typgenehmigung noch eine Konformitätsbescheinigung mit amtlichen Werten vor. Abweichungen zwischen den Angaben und den amtlichen Werten sind möglich
In a preview presentation hosted by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, drivers George Russell and newly promoted teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli pulled back the vehicle cover to inspect a matte-grey prototype of the extreme coupe.Both drivers immediately highlighted the widebody stance and prominent “V8” badging before tripping over the 19-letter moniker Spezialanfertigung—German for “bespoke custom build”.The verbal challenge prompted Antonelli to inquire whether build allocations remained available, before Austrian team principal Toto Wolff stepped in to pronounce the compound word effortlessly.
| Technical Parameter | Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung |
| Series / Collection | Mercedes-Benz Mythos Series (Model #2, following PureSpeed) |
| Global Production Volume | Strictly limited to 30 units worldwide (Fully Allocated) |
| Engine Configuration | 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged M177 Evo V8 (Flat-plane crankshaft) |
| Electrification | 48-volt mild-hybrid integrated starter-generator (+23 PS / +205 Nm) |
| Total System Output | 646 PS (475 kW / 637 hp) |
| Peak Torque | 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) @ 2,500–4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed AMG Speedshift multi-clutch automatic |
| Driveline Layout | Pure Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) with electronic limited-slip differential |
| 0–100 km/h Acceleration | 3.9 seconds |
| 0–200 km/h Acceleration | 11.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 310 km/h (193 mph) |
| Exhaust Hardware | Lightweight titanium Akrapovič setup with vertically stacked tips |
| Downforce Capacity | Exceeds 250 kg (approx. 550 lbs) in circuit setup |
Mechanically, the Spezialanfertigung marks a major engineering evolution for the CLE platform.The bespoke coupe is powered by an M177 Evo 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine featuring a flat-plane crankshaft designed to deliver elevated rev characteristics and sharper throttle response.The internal combustion unit is aided by a 48-volt integrated starter-generator (ISG) that adds 23 PS and 205 Nm of low-end assistance.Total system performance reaches 646 PS (637 hp) and 850 Nm of torque, surpassing the series-production AMG GT 63 Pro.
Power is directed exclusively to the rear wheels via an AMG Speedshift nine-speed transmission working with an electronically governed limited-slip differential, marking a return to a dedicated rear-wheel-drive V8 layout within the brand’s performance coupe range.The drivetrain propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in 11.4 seconds, with top speed electronically capped at 310 km/h.
The exterior styling draws inspiration from classic AMG widebody touring homologation specials of the 1980s, augmented by functional modern track aerodynamics:
- Front End & Airflow Management: An oversized Panamericana radiator grille paired with functional carbon-fibre bumper dive planes, alongside a two-position adjustable front splitter offering “Street” and ground-effect “Race” orientations.
- Ventilation & Wheel Arch Evacuation: Functional bonnet extraction ducts aligned with the front grille, matched with louvred front fender vents to evacuate high-pressure turbulence generated in the wheel wells.
- Downforce & Rear Aero: A manually adjustable multi-tier carbon-fibre rear wing working alongside an aggressive underbody rear diffuser to produce over 250 kg of downforce at track velocities.
- Exhaust & Signature Lighting: A custom titanium exhaust assembly developed with Akrapovič featuring vertically stacked quad tips, integrated alongside bespoke front and rear light signatures carrying star motifs.
Thermal resilience is managed via three separated cooling circuits covering high-temperature engine demands, low-temperature charge-air and transmission fluid cooling, and the 48-volt hybrid infrastructure to ensure continuous high-load track endurance.
Positioned within the exclusive Mythos program, all 30 examples of the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung have been fully spoken for by private collectors, providing an engineering preview of upcoming V8-powered high-performance derivatives.
