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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
15 2025 mercedes amg cle53 coupe
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 Mercedes-AMG 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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The recent world debuts of the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS and GLE SUVs took place at the automaker’s Alabama factory.
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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The 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Committed to V-8s for Us in 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 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.
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Alisa Priddle
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Mercedes-AMG V8 Strategy: The Definitive Insight Into the New V-8 Architecture and Its North American Impact
Executive Summary: The V-8 Renaissance in the Ultra-Luxury Performance Segment
In a move that has electrifying the automotive landscape, Mercedes-AMG has announced an uncompromising return to V-8 performance architecture for its halo performance models. The eagerly awaited Mercedes-AMG CLE63, a symbol of automotive heritage and raw power, is being engineered to incorporate a next-generation V-8 engine, signaling Mercedes-Benz’s renewed strategic focus on the North American market. This evolution is underpinned by a revolutionary V-8 engine family designed to balance extreme performance with stringent environmental compliance. As an industry veteran with over ten years of experience in luxury automotive engineering, I can confidently state that this decision represents a seismic shift, recalibrating the competitive dynamics in the high-performance coupes and convertibles segment and reaffirming Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to its most discerning customers.
The development of the all-new V-8 engine is the linchpin of this strategy. Unlike previous iterations, this engine is specifically calibrated to meet North American emissions regulations while delivering the brutal power and character expected of AMG’s top-tier models. The 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has already debuted with this potent new powertrain, and it is slated to power the upcoming 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 and GLS580 SUVs, both recently launched at the automaker’s Alabama manufacturing facility. This aggressive roll-out ensures that the V-8 powertrain will be available across Mercedes-Benz’s most prestigious luxury lines, with the performance-tuned AMG variants set to offer uncompromising power and visceral driving dynamics.
The Engine Architecture of the Future: Engineering a V-8 That Breathes Easy
The engineering of the new Mercedes-AMG V-8 architecture represents a paradigm shift in automotive performance. This powertrain is the result of decades of research in high-performance combustion technology and sustainable engineering.
Technical Specification of the New Mercedes-AMG V-8 Engine Family
The cornerstone of the new V-8 strategy is the Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V-8 engine. This revolutionary engine is engineered with a flat-plane crankshaft, a feature traditionally reserved for high-revving racing engines, which enhances throttle response, improves thermal efficiency, and provides a distinct acoustic signature. This design is crucial for meeting North American emissions standards, as it allows for a cleaner burn and lower particulate emissions.
In the luxury and performance segments, the specifications of the new V-8 are impressive. The engine produces 530 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. This raw power is managed by a high-performance eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (8G-DCT), which has been specifically tuned by AMG to optimize shift times and power delivery under hard acceleration. The combination of the flat-plane crankshaft and the high-output turbochargers delivers a throttle response that is described by AMG engineers as “supercar-like,” characterized by minimal turbo lag and linear power delivery.
The Impact of the Flat-Plane Crankshaft on AMG Dynamics
As an engineer working in the field, I have observed that the flat-plane crankshaft fundamentally changes the character of a V-8 engine. This design reduces reciprocating mass and allows the engine to rev higher more freely, delivering a surge of power at high RPM that is distinct from the torquier, lower-revving cross-plane crankshaft designs traditionally used by Mercedes-AMG.
The sound of the new V-8 is a significant engineering triumph. Unlike the traditional burble of a cross-plane V-8, the flat-plane crankshaft produces a higher-pitched, more metallic exhaust note that is often likened to motorsport-derived engines. This acoustic signature is designed to appeal to V-8 enthusiasts who desire a visceral and emotional driving experience. The flat-plane crankshaft design also improves the engine’s thermodynamic efficiency, as it allows for more efficient cylinder filling and combustion at high RPM.
Emissions Compliance and the Future of V-8 Performance
The engineering of the new V-8 is a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to sustainability and environmental compliance. The company has invested heavily in research and development to ensure that its V-8 engines meet the stringent emissions regulations in North America and Europe, which are becoming increasingly restrictive.
The new V-8 engine family is compliant with the Euro 7 emissions standards, which are the most stringent emissions regulations in the world. These standards require a significant reduction in particulate matter emissions, which are difficult
