---
title: 'This Is The Coolest Thing Mercedes Has Done in Years'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=BPE_-hqw62I'
video_id: 'BPE_-hqw62I'
date: 2026-09-26
duration_sec: 85
channel: 'Doug DeMuro'
---

# This Is The Coolest Thing Mercedes Has Done in Years

> Source: [This Is The Coolest Thing Mercedes Has Done in Years](https://youtube.com/watch?v=BPE_-hqw62I)

## Summary

The video discusses the Mercedes-AMG CLE 646, a limited-edition V8-powered coupe, and the speakers' excitement about the return of V8s to the C-Class and E-Class lineups. They also critique the limited production run and the brand's focus, comparing it to other performance cars.

### Key Points

- **German vs. Italian language joke** [00:00] — The speaker jokes about the German language sounding harsh compared to Italian, using it as a humorous intro to the car's German engineering.
- **Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 specs** [00:13] — The car has 640 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and only 30 units will be produced. It's described as a race car version of the CLE, which is essentially the modern C-Class coupe.
- **Flat-plane crank and V8 return** [00:29] — The car features a flat-plane crank, and the speakers highlight the return of V8s to the C-Class and E-Class, which they find exciting.
- **Comparison to Mustang GTD** [00:42] — The speaker compares the CLE 646 to the Mustang GTD, noting it's a sign of what's to come for the C-Class and E-Class models.
- **Limited production critique** [00:55] — The speaker thinks 30 units is too limited and suggests a Black Series version with 500 cars would be cooler, especially if available in the US.
- **Aftermarket parts and appeal** [01:07] — The car comes with KW coilovers and an Akrapovic exhaust, which the speaker compares to what they'd build at DC Motorworks in Atlanta.
- **Critique of brand focus** [01:20] — The speaker criticizes Mercedes for making this car when they should be focusing on EVs, but still finds the car cool.

### Conclusion

The video is a brief, opinionated take on the Mercedes-AMG CLE 646, celebrating its V8 power and limited nature while questioning Mercedes' priorities. The speakers are enthusiastic about the return of V8s but skeptical of the tiny production run.

## Transcript

It's another example of the Germans thinking they can get away with what the Italians get away with. The Italian language is so beautiful that anything said in Italian is beautiful. Everything said in German is ugly. This is called the Mercedes-AMG... Hold on, I practiced it a bunch and consulted.
Wait, Mercedes-AMG CLE 646... Oh, you really practice a lot. Wow. The car is cool. 640 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, only 30 produced, like race car version of the CLE,
which is essentially the C-Class coupe of the modern era. It is also a flat-plane crank. Sounds really cool. The return of V8s back to the C and E-Class. They're only going to make 30 of these. Who cares? Like, I doubt any are driven.
To me, it reminds me of the Mustang GTD, but it's a sign of what's to come for the C-Class and E-Classes, which is back to our V8s. And as E-Class guys, you can get in on this one. We're pretty pumped about that. I think it is the coolest thing in the world.
And I think if they did this as a black series with a run of 500 cars, and you could get it in the States, that would be really cool. 30 seems really limited. It's also, it's got KW coilovers and Akrapovic exhaust.
Like it feels like something me and DC Motorworks would make in Atlanta, you know? Yeah, it's cool as hell. I think people are like, oh, it's only 30 made on a zillion dollars. It's a car for rich guys. That's all true. But I think it's cool. The fact that they're even doing stuff like this
when they should be focusing on EVs. Yeah, or like pretty literally anything else.