Mercedes-Benz plans to give the SL a facelift  and rename it to the SLC as part of an ongoing re-badging process.

One of Benz’s many SLC prototypes was recently captured on camera, showing what it’s capable of doing on the Nurburgring race track.

While parts of the front and rear end were covered up in camouflage, the exhaust system and the air vents on the front fenders indicate that what we are looking at could be the new range-topping version of the SLC from AMG. The sound produced by the engine also supports this, but again, we can’t be absolutely sure.

Even so, a previous report indicates that the 5.5-liter V8 engine in the AMG will be dropped in favor of a new 3.0-liter V6 aided by twin turbochargers, similar to the one used in the AMG Sport Line variants. However, instead of 367 PS (362hp) and 520Nm (384lb-ft) of torque, it’s expected to pack more oomph.

The facelifted version of the Mercedes-Benz SLK is rumored to debut at the 2016 Detroit motor show in January.

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