Mercedes Admits Defeat, Reportedly Drops Four-Cylinder for V8 in CLE63

The range-topping Mercedes-AMG CLE63 is due any day now. We thought it would have the same 671-horsepower four-cylinder hybrid powertrain used in the C63, but that's no longer happening, according to a report from Autocar. Instead, it appears Mercedes-Benz is backtracking on the high-performance four-pot in favor of V8 thunder. Citing "senior officials" at Mercedes-Benz, the report claims the CLE63 will use the familiar twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with mild-hybrid assist, making up to 585 hp. If that's the case, it will have nearly 100 less hp than originally planned. It's unclear if a plug-in hybrid powertrain is under consideration, but we've spotted prototypes with charging ports. We also captured one on video emitting hardly any sound, so Mercedes does have electrified prototypes in the field. And they likely have the aforementioned four-cylinder setup.