Enter the Mythos
The world of luxury cars sells itself on the image of distinction and desire, where a car's level of perceived prestige can be a selling point in itself. In an effort to one-up its rivals, in 2022, Mercedes launched the Mythos Series; a sub-brand it positions higher than its Maybach ultra-luxury series of vehicles.
At the time, Mercedes said that its Mythos Series models would be very low-volume vehicles, that "will be made available exclusively to the most dedicated enthusiasts and collectors of Mercedes-Benz."
The first Mythos model was the SL-based Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed. Powered by a 576-horsepower 4-liter V8 and featuring a Formula 1-inspired design, its 250-unit run was about 25 units less than the ultra-exclusive Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar. However, Mercedes is gearing up to launch a new Mythos that may be stack up to be the ultimate AMG sports-coupe ever made.
Mercedes-Benz
This 2-door is no ordinary AMG
In a new announcement published on January 27, Mercedes-Benz teased a new high-performance version of the CLE coupe that is likely to be much more desirable than any AMG to come out of Affalterbach.
In a series of exterior photos, Mercedes showed off a prototype of the new vehicle, draped in black-and-white development camouflage, as it undergoes cold-weather testing in snowy Sweden near the Arctic Circle.
Not many details are known about the car as of yet; however, the pictures that Mercedes has provided show that the new vehicle exhibits a much more aggressive, performance-focused approach to the otherwise stately CLE 53 AMG. Though it is camouflaged, the pictures reveal that AMG has added a much more aggressive front fascia, an updated rear end, wider wheel arches for fatter wheels, and, most notably, a prominent trunk-mounted rear wing.
In its press release, Mercedes says that the "extreme model shows a kinship to the popular CLE, but promises an ever more uncompromising appearance," which it describes as leaving "a real statement on the road, underlined by a corresponding drive and corresponding driving performance."
Mercedes-Benz
It may get the S-Class's cool, new V8
Though details are mum, a report from Autocar notes that the new Mythos version of this AMG-tuned CLE coupe is said to be powered by the same engine as the soon-to-be-unveiled S-Class sedan.
Internally known as the M177, the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 set to debut in the new posh sedan is said to be a significant upgrade from the V8 in the current S580. Not only does it have power figures of more than 530bhp and 550 lb ft of torque, but it also features a racing-inspired flat-plane crank for a raspier, higher-pitched soundtrack.
Although theoretical power figures under the hood of the new CLE AMG Mythos are up in the air, the new engine is expected to make a major power boost over the current CLE 53 AMG, which makes 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 3-liter inline-six with hybrid assistance and an electric auxiliary compressor.
Related: The World’s First All-Terrain Hypercar Was Designed Backwards, Starting With the Suspension
Final Thoughts
Mercedes says that more details about the new Mythos car will come later this year. Though the current CLE 53 AMG may be a "pretty penny" with an MSRP of $76,300, we should expect that this new Mythos edition will be quite the hot item, complete with a stratospheric price tag and ultra-limited numbers.
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