Mercedes-AMG has pulled a U-turn and will fit the upcoming CLE 63 with a twin-turbo V8 motor instead of the four-pot plug-in hybrid installed in the C63 and GLC 63.
The 670 bhp electrified powertrain may have made those cars faster than ever, but sales have been slower than expected, with numbers lower than their eight-cylinder predecessors. According to Autocar that’s resulted in the highest performance edition of the CLE being swapped back to V8 power. Under the hood will be a 585 bhp four-litre twin turbo with mild hybrid technology.
Despite the PHEV four-cylinder making more power the concept of having a four-cylinder model at the top of the range was confusing to customers, admitted head of Mercedes-Benz’s R&D Markus Schäfer. “But we explained the concept, the rationale and where it came from, especially with reference to F1, and they started to understand what the idea behind it was.”
Nonetheless for the CLE, buyers seeking the very best in the line-up will see the V8 63 sitting above the six-cylinder, three-litre 53.
“We decided for the C-Class to go with the four-cylinder and a strong electrical side,” said Schäfer. “We decided for the GT and the S-Class to go with the eight [-cylinder] with the same electric side. We have to see what the customer ultimately decides.”
Autocar reckons the CLE might be just one of several AMG models to switch back to V8 power with sales of the C63 and GLC 63 both being watched very closely by Mercedes. “We will stay close to the feedback of people and customers, and then we will go from that,” added Schäfer.
Power to the people!
Just drop the electrification completely. The added complexity adds unnecessary weight and cost. It’s not needed or wanted.