All-New Mercedes AMG CLE63 S Hybrid Spied On The Road

The upcoming Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 S was just spied roaming the streets of Germany almost completely uncovered thanks to CarBuzz spy photographers. This uber-AMG has been seen hitting the streets and the track over the last year and will sit at the very top of the CLE’s totem pole with a rumored 600-700+ horsepower. With very little in the way of camouflage at this point, it’s safe to assume the company is planning on fully unveiling the model in the next few months, but for the time being, we’re happy to pick it apart to try to guess what exactly this hopped-up AMG is bringing our way.

For those not in the know, the CLE is the pretty but expensive model that Mercedes has come up with to replace the C-Class and E-Class coupes, with the model sitting in size slightly closer to the E-Class. Like most of the Mercedes lineup as of late, the model range is powered by either a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, with that formula continuing to the AMG range. The hottest model already announced is the CLE 53, boasting a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with hybrid assistance that produces a healthy 443 hp. A respectable amount but nowhere close to what the CLE 63 is going to offer.

Spy Shots: What Can We See?

Thanks to this series of spy shots, we can make some careful assumptions regarding what the CLE63 will be. Mercedes has never been particularly good at differentiating its trims, and from the looks of it, this trend is continuing with the CLE. Place these photos next to photos of the CLE 53, and the front and sides of the vehicles look nearly identical.

You still get the massive Mercedes-AMG grille (nee Panamericana grille) and large lower fake vents. The headlights look the same, as does the cowl-induction scoop (which is most likely fake) with bulging lines surrounding it. The AMG wheels are your first indicator that this is something special, especially since they’re wrapped in Micheline Pilot Sport 5 tires. Once you get to the rear, you’re greeted with four square exhaust tips that are the clearest indicator that this is a 63 model.

From here, though, things get interesting. Earlier spy shots have clearly displayed a charging port on the rear right bumper of the car. Next to it on the rear right fender was the gas tank cover, very obviously indicating this is a PHEV model. Interestingly, from the photos we’ve just gotten hold of, the vent on the rear appears to be gone, and it doesn’t appear to have been relocated to the rear left fender like on the C63. Does this indicate a non-S 63 model? Or could this potentially mean Mercedes is taking the 63 in an entirely different direction?

Mercedes’ Recent AMG 63 Efforts

All recent AMG 63 models have featured a PHEV drivetrain, and they’re radically different and radically more powerful than AMG models we’ve seen in the past. With the C63 S E-Performance, the top-of-the-line C-class eschewed the twin-turbo V8s of yore for a truly modern turbocharged four-cylinder setup augmented by an electric motor. The rear axle electric motor and engine combine for a maximum of 671 hp, and it’s capable of driving 6 miles under electric-only power. 0-60 mph comes in just 2.7 seconds, which is .7 seconds faster than the previous-generation model. As for the S63 S E-Performance, power is even more shocking, as the PHEV utilizes the S63’s twin-turbo V8 setup to produce 791 horsepower and an absurd 1,055 lb-ft of torque.

Both are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and both feature a different displacement engine married to an electric motor. We would be baffled if the CLE 63 were the first to veer from this formula. What’s possible is the company either did an amazing job hiding the charging port in the rear or relocated it to a spot we currently cannot see. It will most likely make use of a hybridized version of the 3.0-liter six-cylinder to give it over 700 horsepower, much like the E63 S E-Performance is rumored to be using. Perhaps with the apparent rapid development of the CLE63 along with the long development of the E63, the company is aiming to debut them at the same time, or at least close to one another.

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