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  • Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 will come with a turbocharged V8 instead of 671-hp PHEV four found in the C63 and GLC 63, report says
  • Sales of 63-badged PHEV models have failed to meet expectations as buyers would rather trade a few horses for more character
  • Putting a four-cylinder in the CLE 63 would have also been confusing for buyers when CLE 53 has six cylinders

The V8 fightback starts here. Mercedes-AMG is reportedly dropping a twin-turbo bent eight into its upcoming CLE 63 coupe and convertible, and it’s due in part to slow sales of the four-cylinder PHEV C63 S and GLC 63.

AMG replaced the 4.0-liter V8 in the C 63 sedan and wagon and GLC 63 SUV with a plug-in-boosted 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes a massive 671 hp (680 PS), but reviewers and buyers have been left cold by the soulless powertrain and unwelcome pounds the hardware added.

Related: 4-Cylinder Mercedes-AMG C63 Sales Reportedly Utterly Disappointing In Germany

Autocar reports that sluggish demand for the four-cylinder models has forced AMG to reverse plans to drop the same engine into the two-door cars, and they’ll now get a mild-hybrid version of the old-school 575 hp (585 PS) twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V8 instead. There’ll inevitably be some performance sacrifice as a result, but the payoff will be a far more emotional driving experience.

Another factor in the decision to go down the V8 route is that the 2025 CLE 53 has already been revealed with a 443 hp (449 PS) turbocharged six-cylinder engine, and AMG was concerned that some buyers would be confused about being asked to pay more for a 63-badged car with fewer cylinders than the 53, even if it does make a stack more power. This isn’t a problem that affects the four-cylinder C63 and GLC 63 because the models below them (badged ’43’) also feature four-cylinder engines.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 Will Get A V8 Because Nobody Wants The C63’s PHEV Four-Banger
CLE 53 has a 443 hp, 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine

The big question now is whether AMG will make a U-turn with the existing C63 and GLC 63 and go back to V8 power in a bid to recover sales and kudos among enthusiasts. The CLE is based on the same platform as those cars, so we know the engine will fit, but it would be an embarrassing climbdown for the firm.

Markus Schäfer, head of Mercedes-Benz’s R&D, told Autocar that the company was looking at sales patterns and said it would let customers decide the way forward.