Mercedes AMG SLC drops cladding while testing

Mercedes-Benz is still keeping its Porsche 911 contender – rumored to be called the SLC – under wraps, but a new set of spy shots gives us our best look yet at the sporty coupe. With production of the SLS AMG winding down, development of the SLC (codenamed C190) is steadily progressing, and while this car still wears plenty of swirly camouflage, it has dropped the heavier cladding seen in prior spy shots to reveal some of the coupe's lines.

These new shots show that the SLC will wear a face similar to recent Mercedes products with large, LED-trimmed headlights, aggressive fascia air inlets and an upright grille. More importantly, the SLC's rump is coming into focus with its large hatch and integrated exhaust outlets, but you can also make out the shape of the horizontally oriented taillights.

There are still plenty of uncertainties about the SLC. We're hearing that three engines will be offered under the long hood, including a base V8 putting out between 400 and 450 horsepower, while a Black Series version could deliver up to 600 hp. Rumor also says that this car, like the 911, will be a 2+2, but we're unable to verify that from these images. Finally, there is no confirmed introduction or on-sale date for the SLC, but we're guessing it will likely be out late next year or early 2015 with a drop-top model following a year later.