• The new CLE rocks a set of upgraded LED headlights and taillights.
  • Mercedes will continue to offer the CLE 200, CLE 300, and CLE 450.
  • Mild-hybrid, turbocharged four-cylinder and six-cylinder models will remain.

The insane, limited-edition Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung generated plenty of headlines three weeks ago, launched as the second Mercedes Mythos model and becoming the first AMG to use the brand’s latest flat-plane crank 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. While only 30 units are being built, it makes a big statement.

What was largely lost with the premiere of this new model is that it was also the sole CLE variant to premiere the model’s new facelift. Rocking updated headlights, taillights, and bumpers, the refreshed design will roll out across the rest of the CLE line-up, including the base Cabriolet model pictured here.

Read: The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Will Demolish An M4, But You Can’t Buy One

This lightly disguised prototype was recently snapped doing the rounds at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. While it obviously doesn’t make the same kind of statement as the CLE 646, the white paint and bright red fabric soft top certainly make quite an impression.

As with the Spezialanfertigung, we can see this CLE Cabriolet rocks the car’s updated headlights, complete with star-shaped DRLs. Camouflage does a good job of hiding other revisions to the front end, but it appears Mercedes designers have tweaked the grille and likely made changes to the air intakes.

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The hood, door skins, and the quarter panels appear identical to the outgoing model, which isn’t a surprise given this is a relatively subtle facelift. What is new are the taillights. Like the headlights, they too feature star-shaped light signatures, a key design element being introduced throughout the entire Mercedes-Benz family.

The rear bumper of this prototype is identical to existing models, including the CLE 300. However, the finished model could differ slightly, although if there are any changes made, they will only be minor.

What About The Engines?

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Facelifted Mercedes-Benz CLE models are expected to retain the same powertrains the car is currently available with. As such, the new CLE 200 and CLE 300 will both share a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 201 hp and 255 hp, respectively.

Those who want more power will be wise to look at the CLE 450. It uses a larger 3.0-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-six with 375 hp. In August, our spy photographers snapped the CLE 53 being tested. It should retain the current model’s 3.0-liter turbo inline-six, but could be slightly more powerful, perhaps matching the 443 hp and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of the new GLC 53.

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