AMG has produced a car that makes us want two things: a properly demanding circuit and a less exclusive invitation list. The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, revealed on 10 September, brings a V8 and rear-wheel drive to the CLE. Only 30 will be made, and Mercedes says they were sold before the unveiling.
That is the frustration with an enticing collector special. The engineering starts a conversation about driving; the allocation ends the conversation about buying. Still, this deserves a closer look than a shrug about wealthy collectors and expensive garages.
The important numbers, without the shouting
Mercedes specifies a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 646PS, or 475kW, and 850Nm. The engine uses a flat-plane crankshaft, and drive goes through a nine-speed automatic to the rear wheels. AMG claims roughly 170kg has been removed relative to the starting vehicle.
The changes include adjustable coilover suspension developed with KW, carbon body components and ceramic brakes. Rear seats and sound insulation are removed. Those are announced features, not evidence from our own test: we have not driven the car.
Remember where the CLE started
For perspective, Mercedes introduced the CLE 53 4MATIC+ in December 2023 with a 3.0-litre straight-six rated at 449PS. That announcement described a turbocharger, an electric auxiliary compressor and a 48-volt starter-generator, plus a nine-speed transmission and variable four-wheel drive. It was already a technically involved performance package, rather than an ordinary coupé with a louder exhaust.
The same launch material devoted attention to a 12.3-inch driver display, an 11.9-inch central screen and a broad choice of cabin finishes. That tells you something about its brief: performance was being offered alongside the equipment and presentation expected of a modern Mercedes.
We would not dismiss that approach. A road car has to do more than provide something interesting to discuss at a petrol station. Usability is not an embarrassing weakness, and a good six-cylinder engine does not become a bad idea because an eight-cylinder alternative exists. The exciting question is what a more focused brief can achieve, rather than whether a larger number automatically wins.
Mythos has already tried a different kind of excess
The wider collector-car context comes from the PureSpeed, which launched the Mythos series in December 2024. Mercedes announced a run of 250 for that open two-seater, dispensing with both a roof and a windscreen. Its design included a halo structure and specially developed helmets with an intercom. Subtle, it was not.
The PureSpeed’s official specification paired a 585PS twin-turbo V8 with four-wheel drive. The manufacturer also described hydraulic roll control and rear-wheel steering. That earlier car therefore combined a deliberately exposed experience with plenty of sophisticated chassis equipment. Mythos was never simply a promise to build old-fashioned machinery.
To our eyes, that is the more interesting way to judge these projects. Nostalgia can explain why a car catches your attention, but it should not do the engineering assessment for you. The best special editions need a coherent purpose beyond reminding buyers that another era existed.
Make the experience worthy of the invitation
For UK enthusiasts watching from outside the allocation process, our reaction is enthusiasm with a qualification. We welcome a manufacturer putting effort into a distinctive driving proposition. We are less persuaded that rarity itself deserves applause. A small production number tells you how seldom you might see a car; it tells you nothing about the quality of its steering.
That is what we would want a proper test to establish: whether the controls, chassis and engine work together, whether the car communicates clearly, and whether its compromises serve a worthwhile purpose. The specification earns our interest. It does not earn a road-test verdict in advance.
Our hope is that the thinking behind projects like this eventually benefits cars more people can experience. Until then, the CLE 646 is an intriguing invitation to a very small party. We would rather see the guests driving than polishing.
Sources
- Auto Express: CLE 646 news discovery
- Mercedes-AMG: CLE 646 announcement
- Mercedes-AMG: CLE 53 launch, December 2023
- Mercedes-AMG: PureSpeed launch, December 2024
We are experienced automotive journalists and editors, with a passion for all things automotive. Whether it’s automotive news and reviews, the latest in EV technology, or just an unusual take on the latest models, we’re all over it!
