Mercedes-AMG is very close to releasing one of its most exclusive performance cars yet. CLE Mythos will be the second model in Mercedes-Benz’s ultra-exclusive Mythos family after SL PureSpeed.
Unlike a normal performance update for the CLE range, the Mythos will be much more radical. Spy shots and testing footage have shown a heavily modified body with a large fixed rear wing, widened bodywork, stacked exhaust outlets and a big bonnet intake. It’s been spotted testing at the Nürburgring too, so Mercedes-AMG seems to be putting a lot of emphasis on track-focused performance.
Mercedes-AMG CLE Mythos: A Different Kind of CLE
The new model will sit well above the regular CLE range in terms of performance, exclusivity and price.
Mercedes has confirmed that the CLE-based model is part of its Mythos series (vehicles built for very exclusive, limited-production runs). The CLE Mythos will not be a more powerful version of the existing CLE 63 but will have major mechanical and aerodynamic upgrades.
The aggressive look of the prototype gives some clues as to what the final car will be like. The wider stance, large air intakes, fixed rear spoiler and performance bodywork tell us AMG is targeting customers who want something closer to a road-legal track machine than a luxury coupe.
646 HP V8 Could Be the Biggest Attraction
The biggest talking point will be the engine.
Multiple sources have reported that the CLE Mythos could use a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft. Power is said to be around 646 hp, although Mercedes-AMG has not yet confirmed the final output figure.
If that figure is indeed accurate, then the Mythos would be high-performance sports car territory.
The fact that V8 power has been returned to an extreme CLE derivative is particularly significant at a time when Mercedes-AMG has been moving away from larger engines and electrification in several performance models. The Mythos therefore has the potential to be an important enthusiast-focused entry into AMG’s portfolio.
Track-Inspired Aerodynamics
Design of the CLE Mythos will be one of its defining features.
Recent prototypes have been photographed with a large fixed rear wing, wider wheel arches, aggressive front-end treatment and stacked exhaust outlets. A prominent bonnet opening has also been spotted (reports say it could help improve airflow and cooling for the V8 engine).
The car is also expected to make extensive use of lightweight materials (carbon fibre) in order to reduce mass and improve handling.
Those changes show AMG isn’t after just more horsepower — it seems to be building a car that can deliver substantially sharper track performance but still have enough road-going usability for its exclusive owners.
Only 30 Units Reportedly Planned
Perhaps the most surprising thing about the Mercedes-AMG CLE Mythos is that it’s so rare.
Information given to some dealers said that Mercedes-AMG could build only 30 cars worldwide. The number has been widely reported (but not confirmed by Mercedes-AMG)
A run of just 30 cars would make the CLE Mythos much rarer than almost any regular AMG model.
Such limited production would also make the car a collector’s item from day one. Exclusive, bespoke bodywork and V8 power meant Mythos could command a premium over the standard CLE line.
Nürburgring Testing Signals Final Development Stage
The CLE Mythos has been spotted testing around the Nürburgring several times already. Recent sightings indicate that development is well advanced and production-style bodywork has started appearing on prototypes.
The use of the famous German circuit is important because AMG can use the demanding track to fine-tune suspension, aerodynamics, braking performance, and high-speed stability.
The car could be launched in the second half of 2026, but Mercedes-AMG hasn’t yet announced a global debut date.
Could This Become AMG's Ultimate Collector Coupe?
If the reported specifications are realized, then Mercedes-AMG CLE Mythos could have a few ingredients that appeal strongly to collectors: high-output V8, extreme aero, lightweight construction, Nürburgring development, and extremely low production numbers.
30 units are reportedly planned for the CLE Mythos, so it wouldn’t be about volume sales but about creating a halo product for AMG.
For performance fans, the return of a V8 in such an aggressive coupe would be especially exciting. For collectors, the extremely limited production run may end up being the biggest draw.
Mercedes-AMG hasn’t announced all the official details yet — final power output, pricing, and production specs among them. But if these reports are accurate, then the CLE Mythos could become one of the rarest and most extreme modern AMG coupes ever made.
