The second model in Mercedes-Benz’s exclusive Mythos Series, this road-legal special is limited to just 30 examples. All were sold before its world premiere, which is probably just as well. Otherwise, someone might have had to explain why a car with no rear seats and no PARKTRONIC costs more than a small house.
The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is based on the AMG CLE 53, but calling it a modified CLE would be like calling a racehorse a modified pony. AMG has reworked the car as a complete performance system, reducing weight by approximately 375 pounds and hand-building each example at its Affalterbach headquarters.
V8 Power, Rear-Wheel Drive, and a Very Large Number
At the heart of the Spezialanfertigung is an extensively enhanced 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine producing 637 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. A flat-plane crankshaft helps reduce rotating mass and improve throttle response, while a bespoke titanium-rich exhaust system developed with Akrapovič gives the engine a soundtrack to match its considerable output.
Unlike the donor car, this CLE sends power exclusively to the rear wheels. The AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system has been removed entirely, replaced by an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. Under suitable conditions, that means the car can do something its engineers presumably consider a feature: controlled drifting.
The nine-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT transmission remains, but its launch control system has been adapted for the rear-wheel-drive layout. The result is a claimed 0–124 mph time of 11.4 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph. In other words, it is probably best not to challenge one to a race while carrying groceries.
The Chassis Gets Serious
The Spezialanfertigung’s suspension was jointly developed by Mercedes-AMG and KW automotive. Its four-way adjustable dampers allow independent tuning of low- and high-speed compression and rebound, giving owners the ability to tailor the car to driving style, circuit characteristics, and how much trouble they want to get into.
Ceramic brakes, measuring 16.5 inches at the front and 14.2 inches at the rear, provide the stopping power. The front system uses six-piston fixed calipers, while the rear employs single-piston floating calipers. The setup reduces unsprung mass while improving braking performance and turn-in response.
The body has also been reinforced and widened by 2.4 inches at both ends. An integrated roll bar increases torsional rigidity, while the front and rear tracks make room for enormous 305/30 ZR20 front and 335/30 ZR20 rear tires. These are based on technology originally developed for the Mercedes-AMG ONE.
Carbon Fiber, Because Steel Is Apparently Too Mainstream
The wide-body design incorporates carbon fiber front fenders, hood, roof, side sills, rear apron, diffuser, trunk lid, and rear wing. Polycarbonate rear windows and a lighter 12-volt battery contribute to the weight savings.
The exterior is finished in Mojave Silver Magno at the front and Obsidian Black Magno from the B-pillar rearward. It is a striking combination, particularly when paired with the large grille and wide stance. The car looks less like a luxury coupe and more like a luxury coupe that has been asked to leave the track.
Aerodynamics are equally serious. A manually adjustable front diffuser offers Street and Race positions, while the carbon fiber rear wing can be adjusted to increase downforce. Fender louvers, front flics, and underbody fins complete the package, generating well over 550 pounds of downforce at top speed.
The Interior Loses Weight, Not Purpose
Inside, AMG has removed the rear seats, acoustic insulation, and some comfort features. The sound system has been simplified, and various assistance systems have been deleted. The PARKTRONIC parking assistant is gone, presumably because anyone buying one of these already knows how to park—or is willing to learn the hard way.
Lightweight racing bucket seats, a roll bar, carbon fiber door panels, and a flat-bottom microfiber steering wheel complete the cabin. An optional Performance Package adds six-point harnesses for those who want to make their commute feel like a qualifying session.
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is not a car designed to be reasonable. It is a limited-production, hand-built performance machine that takes the CLE concept to an extreme, combining massive power, rear-wheel drive, reduced weight, and track-focused engineering.
It is also a reminder that sometimes the best automotive ideas begin with a question no sensible product planner would ask: What if we made the coupe much, much more ridiculous?
