Last time we caught a glimpse of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate, the beefed-up wagon->ke143 was trotting around German streets with heavy camouflage covering most of its body. Fortunately, the lightning-fast grocery getter is now shedding some of its cladding as the Germans have begun testing its skills on the Nurburgring->ke999 track.

Spotted by our photographers stationed on the Nordschleife, the wagon switched from using black, heavy camouflage to a lighter, swirly wrap. Although half of its body is in plain sight, the essential exterior details, most notably the front fascia and the rear apron, are still hidden.

Expect the C63 AMG Estate to break cover with a front fascia similar to that seen on the recently unveiled CLS63 AMG. The bumper will feature larger side intakes, a narrower center intake with a spoiler lip peeking out at the bottom. The new diamond-pattern grille and the Multibeam LED headlamps will also replace the older units for a enhanced look.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Mercedes C63 AMG Estate.

2015 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate Details

The most important change will occur under the hood, where a brand-new, 4.0-liter, V-8 engine will replace the larger, 6.3-liter mill. Although the wagon will share its powerplant with the upcoming Mercedes AMG GT, don't expect it to benefit the same amount of horsepower. The unit will be detuned to about 476 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, losing some 34 ponies and 36 pound-feet when compared to the AMG GT. Don't worry though, the C63 AMG Estate will be able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds, making it the fastest factory wagon on the market.

The vehicle won't be unveiled until early next year, so make sure you stick around for updates and even more spy shots.

Why It Matters

The upcoming C63 AMG Estate has hit the Nordschleife pretty early, which means Mercedes means business and won't be happy if its brand-new wagon falls behind the Audi RS4 Avant. With more than six months of development on hand, we expect the 2015 C63 AMG Estate to roll out as an impressive machine -- strong in the performance department and nimble as a sports car->ke506 on the track.

Spy Shots

2015 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG - rendering