Mercedes-AMG 646, £30k retirement cars...

... and the big engines that are ready for Euro 7

By Cam Tait / Tuesday, 15 September 2026 / Loading comments

We’ve known for some time that a V8 version of the Mercedes CLE was in the works. Camo’d-up prototypes sounding a little meatier than the current six-cylinder AMG 53 have been lapping the Nürburgring for years, all pointing towards AMG bringing V8 power to its C- and E-Class-bridging coupe. Instead, we got the 646 Spezialanfertigung: a track-honed version of the CLE that, while limited to just 30 examples, surely previews an eight-cylinder 63 model that will follow in the not-too-distant future. Which is cause for celebration, and a mention on this week’s episode of The Gassing Station podcast.

Despite resembling a CLE Black Series, the 646 Spezialanfertigung (meaning ‘custom-made’) is the second model in the firm’s ultra-exclusive Mythos series, which debuted a year ago with the gawky-nosed PureSpeed speedster. While just as striking, the 646 is arguably a smidgen easier on the eye, resembling a Merc-badged Mustang GTD with its aggressive aero package and exposed carbon. The big thing here, though, is the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo M177 Evo up front, which is the firm’s new(ish) V8 that meets the impending Euro 7 restrictions. It has already appeared in the S-Class, as well as AMG 63 versions of the GLE and GLS, but signals that we may, finally, be getting a true V8-powered successor to the old C63 Coupe after all.

Speaking of the old C63, a W205 feels like it’d be perfectly suited to this week’s buying challenge. Retirement looms for PHer 595Heaven, and they’re already exploring options for when the time comes to hand back their company car. With a budget of £30,000 and a desire for something with a good engine that can comfortably tackle the odd Euro trip, Sam’s found this surprisingly understated C63 with just shy of 46k miles on the clock for £29,883. A slam dunk, to be honest, but I found a stunning Aston Martin DB9 with an exceptional history file, fantastic spec and fewer miles for a fiver shy of the budget. Reliable? If you keep on top of the servicing, but in return you get a 6.0-litre V12 and looks that only seem to improve with age. Of course, if you think you can do better, you can pop your own suggestions in here.

Finally, we thought it’d be worth running through all the big engines that have already been prepped for Euro 7, along with those whose makers are still busy working towards the November deadline. We know Mercedes has a V8 ready, BMW has adapted its S58 straight-six for the regulation change, and Rolls-Royce is sweating over making a V12 that can meet the ultra-tough restrictions. So if you thought interesting combustion engines would die out with the new rules, all signs suggest the opposite is true...

Listen here