Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung Packs 646 HP V8, RWD and 310 KM/H Top Speed

• Mercedes-AMG limits the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung to just 30 examples worldwide.

• A 646-hp twin-turbo V8 sends 627 lb-ft of torque exclusively to the rear wheels.

• Carbon components and equipment deletions reduce weight by approximately 170 kg.

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Mercedes-AMG has turned the sleek CLE into a substantially re-engineered, rear-wheel-drive, murderously insane performance coupe with the introduction of the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, a 30-unit model developed and assembled in Affalterbach, home of AMG.

The Spezialanfertigung starts with the CLE 53 platform, but that’s about all it has in common with the production car. AMG removed the 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system and installed an enhanced M177 EVO 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 good for 646 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. A nine-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT transmission sends output exclusively to the rear axle through an electronically controlled hard-working limited-slip differential.

AMG lists a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds, while 200 km/h arrives in 11.4 seconds. Top speed is 310 km/h. The finished car weighs 1,895 kg under the DIN standard, a reduction of about 170 kg compared with its donor vehicle.

Weight savings come from extensive carbon-fibre construction, polycarbonate rear glazing, a lighter starter battery and the removal of the rear seats and some acoustic insulation. AMG also reduced comfort, infotainment and driver-assistance equipment. Structural reinforcements and an integrated roll-over bar increase body rigidity.

The chassis uses a steel coil-over suspension developed with KW automotive. Four-way adjustable dampers provide separate high- and low-speed compression and rebound adjustment. Ceramic composite brakes measure 420 by 40 millimetres at the front and 360 by 32 millimetres at the rear.

AMG widened the body by 60 mm at both ends to accommodate 20-inch forged wheels and substantial rubber. The fronts run a colossal 305/30 ZR20, while the rears stretch a lane-wide 335/30 ZR20.

Track-oriented aerodynamic hardware includes a manually adjustable front diffuser and carbon-fibre rear wing. In their circuit settings, the components work with fender louvres and underbody airflow management to generate more than 250 kg of downforce at the car’s maximum speed. Nine-stage AMG Traction Control is available when ESP is disabled.

The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung becomes the second Mercedes-Benz Mythos Series vehicle after the 250-unit AMG PureSpeed. Production of the new coupe is limited to 30 examples, and Mercedes-AMG says it sold the entire allocation before its world premiere.