Mercedes-Benz SLC supercar spied on the road

There is life after the SLR for Mercedes, and spy shooters have caught plastic-clad versions of the new SLC that's due for 2011.

We've seen this car before, but it continues to make us lick our chops. Previous shots showed gullwings, which these prototypes appear to have, though the doors are closed.

But we continue to see the long hood, low stance and big grille. In a nutshell, it looks like a Mercedes supercar straight out of central casting.

Then again, it's covered in mounds of plastic and black tape, so who can say for sure?

It's code-named C197, and it would be at the very top of the Mercedes lineup--a true halo car. Expect power to come from an AMG V8 that could make somewhere between 580 hp and 600 hp. Sources have told AutoWeek to look for a 0-62-mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph.

Also look for a cabriolet version that would pass on the gullwing doors in favor of a cloth top. And, of course, aluminum and carbon fiber will be used extensively for weight savings.

The current SLR is a joint production of Mercedes and McLaren, and that marriage ends this year.

By Greg Migliore