Our spy photographers have finally brought us some winter testing pics of an upcoming car without snow covering everything, and what they’ve spotted is the refreshed Mercedes-AMG CLE Convertible, a direct rival to the BMW M4 Convertible, and it may have V8 power. This is a fight that Audi won’t be joining, as the new RS 5 is only available as a sedan or wagon, with no coupes or cabriolets on the way. For the record, the current CLE top dog is the straight-six-powered AMG 53, and it has four rounded exhaust tips. But this prototype has squared exhaust outlets, and that usually means only one thing: an AMG 63 model. With the 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain having proved unpopular, Mercedes is bringing V8s back, and this could be one of the beneficiaries.
Updated Styling Front and Rear for 2027 AMG CLE
SH Proshots/Autoblog
SH Proshots/Autoblog
The front of this prototype CLE drop-top is typical AMG, with the vertically-vaned central intake grille joined by shapely lower side intakes and a notable chin spoiler. AMG wheels add to the aggressive look, and to help the mid-cycle CLE facelift blend in with the latest Mercedes products, the headlights are being revised to include three-pointed stars in the daytime running light signature. While this development mule has exposed taillights and a rear fender design that seems unchanged from the current models, our spies report that the back of the car will be revised eventually, likely with new taillights that slot into the same spaces as the current ones.
SH Proshots/Autoblog
As for the engine, we can’t see any proof that it has a V8, but a CLE Coupe with one was reportedly spotted late last year, and with the hardtop CLE range to be crowned by a Mythos model with the same 4.0-liter eight-cylinder as the new S-Class, it only makes sense to get the most out of the architecture and offer V8-loving customers the choice of wind in their hair. Significant changes will come to the cabin, too.
New AI-Powered Infotainment Coming to 2027 CLE Convertible
SH Proshots/Autoblog
SH Proshots/Autoblog
Like every other contemporary Mercedes-Benz, the refreshed AMG CLE Convertible will get the MB.OS infotainment setup with AI features from both Google and Microsoft. Advanced driver assistance systems will help leap the CLE forward, while a new steering wheel is coming to pep the cabin up a little more. Unfortunately, it’ll be a while before we get a clearer picture because the regular, non-AMG CLE Convertible is only expected to debut at the end of 2026 or early next year, but we’re sure most customers will forgive Affalterbach this minor inconvenience if the V8 is an option.
SH Proshots/Autoblog
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Sebastian Cenizo
Senior Editor, Autoblog