After much speculation about its possible powertrain, new spy shots finally confirmed that the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 Cabriolet will be carrying a V8 engine under its hood.

AMG CLE 63 Cabriolet Spied with Little Camo

Recently, Autoevolution‘s regular spy shot contributor snapped a few shots of the upcoming AMG CLE 63 Cabrio. The specimen only leaves a little to the imagination as it has almost lost all its camouflage already.

Mercedes only left the front and back sides of the car clad in its signature zebra-patterned wraps. However, the minimal covers now provide a clear view of the auto’s headlamps, taillights, front grille, lip spoiler, side intakes, and quadruple exhausts.

V8 Confirmation

Interestingly, the exhaust pipes all come with squarish tips, which confirm the spied CLE’s AMG and 63 variant designation. What’s more, the subject appears to be missing a charging flap.

This comes as good news for gearheads praying for the vehicle’s V8 version. Early prototypes of what seems to be the most powerful CLE initially appeared with a charging flap around the rear bumper, so what we are looking at now is a significant departure from the plan. The observers also noted the V8’s distinct sound emanating from the spied car.

Mercedes’ decision to keep the V8 for the most potent version of the CLE was likely due to the dismal sales of AMG core series’ turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid units, particularly the C 63 S E Performance.

The V8-powered AMG CLE 63 will likely have a much lower output than its hybrid C 63 sibling. Nonetheless, the rumor mill suggests that its internal combustion engine will at least deliver numbers exceeding the AMG SL 63’s 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque capabilities.

The top-of-the-line SL notably carries the same petrol-fed twin-turbo engine under the hood. In this case, we assume the AMG CLE 63 would have somewhere above 600 hp.