Mercedes’ test drivers were caught enjoying the warm Spanish weather in the upcoming 2024 AMG CLE 63. With the windows down and the sunroof open, they were perfectly set up to test the coupe’s air conditioning system, and listen to hear if the plug-in hybrid drivetrain sounds any good.
We’ve seen the CLE 63 testing before, but most recently in the soft top guise, in the winter, somewhat ironically. These latest shots provide a clearer view of the car’s lower section, with less snow obscuring the details. Notably, the square tailpipes prominently differentiate it as the range-topping 63 model, distinguishing it from the slightly more lukewarm CLE 53.
Read: The 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 Convertible Will Be A Hair Dryer You Plug In
Four-Pot Or Straight-Six?
Recent developments have raised questions about the initial assumption that the CLE 63 would share the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder powertrain as the C63 S E Performance, which delivers an impressive 671 hp (500 kW / 680 PS) and 752 lb-ft (1,018 Nm) of torque. Mercedes-Benz submitted a document to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealing that both the 2024 CLE 450 and the AMG CLE 53 will be equipped with a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine.
Although the document did not mention the AMG CLE 63, it would seem unusual for Mercedes to offer the lower variants with a straight-six engine while equipping the flagship model with a four-cylinder unit. But we’ve seen stranger things happen.
If it doesn’t get the crazy four-cylinder from the C63 (and that’s a big if for now), then it will likely borrow the plug-in hybrid straight-six from the next E63 AMG, likely in a detuned state.
Our spy photographers were unable to get a clear shot of the interior, but spy shots of the non-AMG CLE show that it is similar to the C-Class’s. That means a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch infotainment system. Despite being a high-performance model, the interior should also get plenty of natural light thanks to that big sunroof—previous spy photos suggest that this will be an option, not a necessity.
A leaked product schedule suggests that the CLE is set to be unveiled in October. It’s not yet clear when the AMG versions specifically will be launched.
