Mercedes-AMG unveiled the 2024 C63 S E Performance last month, and spy photographers have snapped the upcoming coupe variant, which is expected to adopt the CLE moniker.
Recently caught undergoing testing in Germany, the high-performance version of the CLE Coupe features a Panamericana grille and sizable intakes that are partially obscured by camouflage. The sporty styling continues with lightweight wheels that are backed up by a beefy braking system.
Continuing to the rear, you find muscular haunches and a trunk-mounted spoiler. We can also see LED taillights and a four-tailpipe exhaust system with squared-off tips, which indicate this is the range-topping variant. They’re not the only telltale clue as there’s a charging port integrated into the rear bumper.
Also Read: 2023 Mercedes CLE Coupe Spied As A Two-For-One Two-Door That Will Replace The C- And E-Class Coupes
The latter is a critical part of the car’s plug-in hybrid powertrain, which consists of a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a 6.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and a rear-mounted electric motor. This setup gives the sedan a combined output of 671 hp (500 kW / 680 PS) and 752 lb-ft (1,018 Nm) of torque.
Those are impressive numbers and they enable the all-wheel-drive C63 to achieve 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in approximately 3.3 seconds, before hitting a top speed of up to 174 mph (280 km/h). Mercedes-Benz USA hasn’t revealed the car’s electric-only range at this point, but the company noted the model will have an all-electric driving mode for speeds of up to 81 mph (130 km/h).
The powertrain should carry over to the coupe untouched, although we’ll likely find out next year as the CLE is expected to debut in early 2023 and be followed shortly by the hotter AMG variants.