SPY PICS: Mercedes-Benz GLC 450 AMG Coupe

The GLC Coupe Concept was unveiled earlier this year at the Shanghai Motor Show, and now a GLC test mule has been spotted testing.

This particular mule however, is not just any GLC Coupe. It appears to be the GLC 450 AMG version, distinguished from the larger wheels (presumably 20-21 inch) and the faux bifurcated tailpipes integrated into the rear bumper, a detail common to the GLE 450 AMG coupe and the C 450 AMG Sport sedan.

The GLC 450 Coupe will slot under the flagship GLC 63 AMG in price and performance once both variants are finally released down under, sometime later in 2016 or early 2017.

It is fairly obvious that Mercedes has adapted much of the larger GLE Coupe's styling for the smaller GLC, with much of the front and rear styling mimicking the larger GL-variant.

The mule in the photos looks pretty close to production guise, sporting very little camouflage along with production-ready – and heavily disguised – head and tail lights.

Benz' latest performance SUV coupe will likely feature the familiar 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 from the C 450 AMG Sport, which produces 270kW of power and 520Nm of torque, while the flagship, the manic GLC 63 AMG, is almost certain to be powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 already serving in the GT supercar and C63.

With the conventional GLC wagon scheduled for Australian release in December, the wait for the GLC coupe could stretch all the way into the second half of 2016.