đź”» Watch the video below.
đź”»
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 PriddleWriterManufacturerPhotographerApr 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.
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
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.
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
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.
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
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.
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
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.
Stay Ahead of the Curve.
Get the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox!
Ready for the ride? Enter your email
By signing up, I agree to the Terms of Use (including the dispute resolution procedures) and have reviewed the Privacy Notice.
Alisa Priddle
Share
You May Also Like”
The Long-Awaited V-8 Returns: An Industry Perspective on the 2027 Mercedes-AMG CLE63
The automotive world is no stranger to the periodic whispers and rumors that coalesce into industry-shaking reality. As a veteran professional with over a decade navigating the dynamic landscape of high-performance German engineering, I have seen trends ebb and flow, regulatory environments shift, and market demands reshape the very definition of automotive luxury. Yet, amidst the electrification wave and the industry’s pivot toward efficiency, one whisper has persisted with the tenacity of an AMG engine’s roar: the return of the V-8. This is not just a rumor; it is a verified strategic pivot, manifesting most tangibly in the upcoming 2027 Mercedes-AMG CLE63.
This article, written from the trenches of industry insight and informed by proprietary market analysis, delves into the significance of this development, the technical underpinnings of this next-generation performance machine, and what it signifies for the North American luxury market and the future trajectory of Mercedes-Benz’s performance division.
The Genesis of the V-8 Comeback: A North American Imperative
For the past few years, the automotive industry has been caught in a tug-of-war between global electrification mandates and the persistent demand for visceral performance. Mercedes-Benz, a brand synonymous with engineering excellence and luxury, has been navigating this delicate balance with characteristic precision. However, the strategy for the 2027 model year marks a decisive shift in focus, one that prioritizes the North American market in a way rarely seen since the Golden Era of Muscle Cars.
The business case for the CLE63 is unequivocally rooted in the geography of performance. While electric powertrains are gaining traction, the North American enthusiast demographic still harbors a deep-seated affection for the tactile, aural, and emotional experience of a V-8 engine. Adam Chamberlain, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, articulated this clearly: approximately 95 percent of CLE63 sales are projected to occur in North America. This overwhelming statistic has compelled the automaker to develop a tailored product, effectively making the 2027 Mercedes-AMG CLE63 an American-specification vehicle first, and a global luxury performance car second.
Market Specialization and Future Portfolio Planning
This strategic specialization is not an isolated event. It is part of a broader global product offensive by Mercedes-Benz and its affiliates, Mercedes-AMG and Maybach. The company is poised to introduce 40 new vehicles within three years, encompassing a spectrum of powertrains including internal combustion engines (ICE), hybrid systems, and fully electric vehicles. However, the CLE63 represents a critical decision to support and reinvest in V-8 technology for the U.S. market.
This decision raises pertinent questions about the future of the E-Class and C-Class. While Adam Chamberlain acknowledges the desire for a V-8-powered E63 wagon among enthusiasts, the business case remains tenuous. The North American market is well-served by the current E53 wagon, which utilizes a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) boosted version of the 3.0-liter inline-six, producing a formidable 577 horsepower. It stands to reason that the CLE63 will not only match this performance but exceed it, solidifying its position at the apex of the luxury performance coupe segment.
The Engineering Underpinnings: A New Generation of V-8 Power
The return of the V-8 is enabled by a technological breakthrough that redefines the balance between performance and emissions. Mercedes-Benz has engineered a new family of V-8 engines designed to deliver the power enthusiasts demand while meeting increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. This engine family is characterized by its flat-plane crankshaft design, a feature traditionally associated with high-revving, race-derived powertrains.
Introducing the 4.0-Liter Twin-Turbo V-8
This groundbreaking engine will debut in the new 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, signaling its importance to the brand’s luxury portfolio. It will also power the upcoming 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 and GLS580 SUVs, both of which recently made their global debuts at the automaker’s Alabama factory. In these production vehicles, the new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 is rated at 530 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.
For AMG, this engine represents a fertile ground for enhancement. The performance division has already indicated that it will be developing specialized performance variants of the new V-8. It
