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The Long-Awaited Mercedes-AMG CLE63: A V-8-Powered Revelation for the American Market
A new V-8 engine family, developed with a sharp focus on North American consumer demand, is making this iconic performance coupe a reality.
By Alisa Priddle
April 06, 2026
Take heart, enthusiasts: A Mercedes-AMG CLE63, powered by a potent new V-8 engine, is in the pipeline. Based on firsthand impressions from executives who have piloted early prototypes, this machine is nothing short of spectacular—and it will undoubtedly be worth the wait.
Although Mercedes-Benz has yet to formalize a production timeline for the all-new CLE63 coupe and convertible, make no mistake: it is being developed. According to Adam Chamberlain, the Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz USA, the vehicle promises to be an unbelievable car, exceeding the high expectations set by the brand’s recent performance launches.
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The development of the CLE63 is a strategic imperative for Chamberlain and his team, given that North America is projected to account for approximately 95 percent of total sales for this segment. Consequently, the new CLE63 is being tailored specifically as an American-market vehicle.
At the heart of this excitement is Mercedes-Benz’s innovative new V-8 engine family. Designed to deliver the visceral performance enthusiasts crave while adhering to increasingly stringent global emissions standards, this new powertrain is a technological masterpiece. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, featuring a flat-plane crankshaft for enhanced performance and throttle response, has already made its debut in the 2027 S-Class and is slated to power the refreshed 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 and GLS580 SUVs—both of which recently completed their global premieres. In these standard models, the engine produces a formidable 530 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Naturally, AMG has confirmed that performance variants of this new V-8 will receive significant tuning enhancements to deliver even greater power and torque figures.
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This innovation raises the question of whether the V-8 will return to other performance vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, such as the E-Class or C-Class. Chamberlain remains coy on the subject, acknowledging that while he personally would love to see an E63 wagon—a vehicle that remains the benchmark for many luxury performance enthusiasts—the business case is challenging given that North America is its sole viable market. He points out that customers already have a compelling option in the E53 wagon, which leverages a plug-in hybrid system to boost its 3.0-liter inline-six engine to a total output of 577 horsepower.
A similar inline-six powertrain, producing 443 horsepower, currently resides under the hood of the most powerful production model in the CLE lineup, the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 (showcased at the top and bottom of this article). However, this engine does not employ the plug-in hybrid technology found in the wagon variant. It is reasonable to assume that the upcoming CLE63 will extract even more power from an AMG-tuned version of the new twin-turbo V-8 engine.
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The recent global unveilings of the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS and GLE SUVs took place at the automaker’s dedicated manufacturing facility in Alabama, highlighting the strategic importance of the North American market in the company’s global product offensive.
Renewed Focus on the North American Market
The introduction of the CLE63 is a direct reflection of Mercedes-Benz’s renewed strategic focus on the North American market, where the demand for V-8-powered luxury and performance vehicles remains significantly higher than in many other regions. Chamberlain confirmed that Mercedes-Benz is developing two to three additional models specifically for the U.S. market, which will be built on a new platform that is also engineered to support V-8 engine architectures.
These new vehicles are integral components of a massive global product offensive designed to span the next three years. This strategy encompasses approximately 40 new vehicles across Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, and Maybach. The product portfolio includes a comprehensive range of powertrain technologies, spanning traditional internal combustion engines, hybrid systems (including plug-in hybrids), and fully electric vehicles, all designed to meet the diverse needs and preferences of global consumers while navigating the complexities of regulatory environments.
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The 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the recipient of the all-new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with a flat-plane crankshaft.
Commitment to the V-8: A US Market Priority
The decision to invest in the development of the new V-8 engine family represents a strong commitment to this iconic powerplant, according to Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management and Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. More broadly, it signifies a dedication to meeting the specific needs of U.S. customers, for whom the V-8 has been a cherished feature in Mercedes-Benz high-end and high-performance vehicles for generations.
The V-8 engine is premiering in the 2027 S-Class, offering a harmonious blend of refined, powerful performance that remains remarkably quiet and unobtrusive. The philosophy behind this design is captured perfectly by Källenius’s characterization of the engine as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” providing smooth yet dominant power. However, he emphasized that the true AMG version of the V-8 will reveal the wolf’s full predatory nature. As Källenius told MotorTrend, “That is the wolf in sheep’s clothing. But then the wolf really comes out with the AMG version, so there will be a wolf and an Alpha wolf coming. V-8 fans in the U.S. are absolutely going to love that.” Based on the initial indications and our preview of the technology involved, it appears that V-8 enthusiasts have every reason to be excited about what is coming under the hood of the new Mercedes-AMG CLE63.
By Alisa Priddle
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Alisa Priddle”
