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The Next Chapter in Luxury Performance: Mercedes-AMG’s All-New V-8 Offensive
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An All-New, V-8-Powered Mercedes-AMG CLE63 Is in the Works
A new family of V-8 engines designed with North America in mind is making it all possible.
Alisa Priddle\
Writer, Manufacturer, Photographer\
April 06, 2026
Take heart: A Mercedes-AMG CLE63 equipped with a powerful new V-8 engine is coming, and the executives we spoke with about it say it’s phenomenal.
Mercedes has yet to confirm the timing of the all-new CLE63 coupe and convertible, but it exists, and executives have driven early prototypes. Although we won’t see it this year, according to Adam Chamberlain, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, it’s going to be an unbelievable car, and he says it will be worth the wait.
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A car like this matters for Chamberlain and his team, because some 95 percent of CLE63 sales are expected to be in North America. The new CLE63 is being developed as an American-spec car specifically for the American market.
As for the car’s V-8, Mercedes-Benz has developed a new family of V-8 engines that retain a high-performance character but with lower emissions in order to meet future regulations. The new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with a flat-plane crankshaft is already available in the new 2027 S-Class and will power the upcoming 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 and GLS580 SUVs, both of which just made their global premieres. In those vehicles, the engine produces 530 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Not surprisingly, AMG has said it will be tuning performance variants of the new V-8.
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Does this mean we’ll see a V-8 in a future high-performance E-Class or C-Class? That’s unconfirmed at this time, Chamberlain said. Like many enthusiasts, he’d love an E63 wagon, but the business case is questionable with North America as its only real market. And buyers already have a good option in the E53 wagon, which is powered by plug-in-hybrid-boosted version of the automaker’s 3.0-liter inline-six with 577 hp.
A similar version of that six-cylinder engine with 443 horsepower is under the hood of the most powerful CLE at present, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE53 (pictured at top and bottom), although it doesn’t use a plug-in hybrid system like the wagon. Presumably, any CLE63 would generate more power from an AMG-tuned version of the new twin-turbo V-8.
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Renewed North American Focus
The CLE63 is a reflection of Mercedes’ renewed focus on North America, Chamberlain said, where V-8-powered cars remain far more desirable than in other markets. There are another two or three products coming as well that are being developed specifically for North America, which are being built on a new platform that will also presumably be able to support a V-8.
It’s all part of a huge global product offensive: 40 vehicles within three years for Mercedes-Benz and its Mercedes-AMG and Maybach offshoots, offering internal combustion engines, hybrids (including plug-in hybrids), and fully electric vehicles.
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Committed to V-8s for the U.S.
Investing in V-8s shows a real commitment to the powerplant, said Mercedes-Benz Group CEO and Chairman of the Board of Management Ola Källenius. More broadly, it shows a commitment to meeting the needs of its U.S. customers, where the V-8 has been a staple in high-end and high-performance Mercedes vehicles for decades.
The V-8 for the more discerning Mercedes owner is launching in the new 2027 S-Class, providing quiet but dominant performance; still a beast but in the background. “That is the wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Källenius told MotorTrend. “But then the wolf really comes out with the AMG version, so there will be a wolf and an Alpha wolf coming,” he said. “V-8 fans in the U.S. are absolutely going to love that.” From what we can tell so far, they’re going to love what’s coming under the hood of the new CLE63.
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 and GLS580: A New Engine for the Modern Era
The global premieres of the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS and GLE SUVs were significant for more than just the debut of an updated look and advanced technology. These vehicles officially introduce a new generation of 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engines, a powertrain foundation Mercedes-AMG will leverage to underpin the next-generation Mercedes-AMG CLE63. This launch represents a strategic inflection point for the automaker, as it signals a clear commitment to the V-8 powerplant, particularly for the North American market.
In a landscape increasingly dominated by electrification and regulatory pressures, V8-powered SUVs remain a vital segment for Mercedes-Benz. The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 and 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS580 debut in Alabama, the same location as their 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV and GLS SUV counterparts, at a time when this engine architecture is evolving to meet global sustainability standards. For Mercedes-AMG enthusiasts, the timing of this rollout has generated considerable excitement, as it directly precedes the availability of this powerful new V8 in the performance-focused 2027 AMG V8 variants that power high-demand vehicles like the 2027 AMG CLE63.
The M178 Engine: Modern Performance Meets Efficiency
The engineering behind these V8 models centers on the M178 engine, a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with a flat-plane crankshaft. This design choice differentiates the engine from standard production V8s by reducing rotational inertia and allowing for higher engine speeds, which translate directly into improved performance and responsiveness. This technological advancement is critical for high-end automotive enthusiasts who expect peak performance from their vehicles, making the M178 a foundational component in 2027 performance cars.
Mercedes-Benz Group CEO Ola Källenius has underscored the strategic importance of the 2027 S-Class V-8 and the wider deployment of this engine family. According to Källenius, this investment is not merely about meeting demand but about maintaining the iconic V8-powered luxury cars that have long defined the brand. The development of the M178 represents a significant investment in V8 engine development costs and V8 engine production costs, reflecting Mercedes’ dedication to ensuring V8 luxury car prices remain competitive even as the automotive industry transitions toward V8 engine emissions technology.
The American Market: A Clear Priority
One of the most striking aspects of this strategic shift is the pronounced focus on the North American market. While V8 engine market share may be shrinking globally, Mercedes-Benz recognizes that the demand for V8 luxury vehicle demand remains strong in the U.S. The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 and GLS580 are prime examples of this strategy, as both models have been developed with American consumer preferences in mind. This dedication to the American-spec luxury cars ensures that the 2027 AMG V8 and V8-powered SUVs will resonate with U.S. buyers.
Mercedes-AMG has confirmed
