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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 | Apr 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 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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The V-8 Resurgence: Mercedes-AMG’s Next Generation for the North American Market
For years, enthusiasts have lamented the steady reduction of V-8 engines in performance vehicles, driven by global emissions regulations and electrification mandates. Yet, Mercedes-Benz appears poised to defy these trends in the world’s most significant luxury performance market. A new wave of V-8 powered Mercedes-AMG vehicles is underway, signaling a strategic decision to cater to the enduring demand for high-octane performance in the United States.
While the automotive world steadily transitions to hybridization and full electrification, the U.S. market has proven to be remarkably resistant to giving up the V-8. This demographic, accustomed to the signature sound and linear torque of V-8 engines, continues to favor the raw power of internal combustion. Understanding this preference, Mercedes-AMG is not simply continuing with existing architectures; they are introducing entirely new V-8 engines developed explicitly to bridge the gap between legendary performance and modern environmental standards.
The Unseen Force: A New Family of V-8 Engines
Behind the scenes, a quiet revolution is taking place in the engine bay of Mercedes-Benz. The company has developed a new family of V-8 engines that retain the quintessential high-performance character Mercedes-AMG is renowned for while substantially reducing emissions to meet ever-tightening regulatory requirements. This is not a minor adaptation but a foundational redesign, ensuring that the legendary AMG feel is not sacrificed for compliance.
The cornerstone of this new family is the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 equipped with a flat-plane crankshaft. This high-revving engine, a staple in performance cars for its aggressive throttle response and unique exhaust note, has already made its debut in the 2027 S-Class. Its application has since expanded to the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 and GLS580 SUVs, which recently made their global premieres. In these luxury utility vehicles, the engine delivers a robust 530 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.
While these figures are impressive for standard production SUVs, AMG has already signaled its intent to tune these engines for peak performance. The 580-class models offer a tantalizing glimpse into the baseline power these new engines can produce, but the AMG variants will undoubtedly push this performance further. This new V-8 architecture is the foundation upon which the next generation of high-performance coupes and SUVs will be built.
The Future of AMG Performance in the United States
For the immediate future, the V-8 is firmly anchored in the U.S. market. Mercedes has yet to confirm the exact launch dates for the new CLE63 coupe and convertible, but the vehicles are very much in the works. Executives have driven early prototypes, and the initial impressions are extremely positive.
Adam Chamberlain, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, confirmed that while the vehicle will not arrive this year, the wait will be well worth it. He described the production model as “unbelievable,” indicating that the development team has succeeded in creating a vehicle that aligns with the expectations of the American luxury performance segment.
The strategic focus on the U.S. is not accidental. Chamberlain noted that some 95 percent of CLE63 sales are projected to be in North America. This extraordinary concentration of demand underscores a crucial business reality for the automaker. The new CLE63 is being developed as an American-spec car, tailored specifically to the tastes and preferences of U.S. consumers. It represents a calculated effort to capture and sustain market share in a region where the V-8 engine still reigns supreme in performance vehicles.
The commitment to developing high-performance variants of the new V-8 engine underscores a broader strategy to address the U.S. market’s needs. Questions remain about whether this V-8 architecture will find its way into the high-performance E-Class or C-Class lineups. Chamberlain remains non-committal on this topic, and while he admits he would personally love an E63 wagon, the business case for a wagon in the U.S. market is questionable. Buyers have a compelling alternative in the E53 wagon, which utilizes a plug-in-hybrid-boosted 3.0-liter inline-six with 577 hp.
The New GLE580: A Preview of AMG’s V-8 Power
For those eager to experience the potential of Mercedes-AMG’s next-generation V-8, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 serves as an excellent benchmark. This recently debuted SUV provides a compelling preview of the engineering and performance capabilities that will likely define the CLE