An intriguing Ferrari GTC4Lusso has been
spied testing in Maranello, Italy, prompting speculation that it could be an
early prototype for the Purosangue SUV. It has been almost two years since
Ferrari confirmed it was developing an SUV, but no obvious test mules have been
spotted. In October 2018, a spy video emerged showing a GTC4Lusso testing with
a higher ride height than usual as well as a set of flared wheel arches,
triggering reports it was in fact a test bed for the Purosangue. Now, a very
similar GTC4Lusso has been snapped.
This video was filmed by YouTuber Varryx
and shows a GTC4Lusso that has some white coverings placed over the front end,
sides, and rear end. Like the mule from 2018, the ride height of this one has
also been jacked up and it has flared arches.
While Ferrari confirmed the SUV two years
ago, it has remained tight-lipped about what powertrain it could feature.
According to some reports, the Purosangue may hit the market with the same
underpinnings as the Roma, meaning a front-engined architecture that has been
created to work with V6, V8, and V12 engines. As much as we would love to see a
V12-powered SUV from Ferrari, that seems highly unlikely and a
twin-turbocharged V8 will probably be the powertrain of choice. Interestingly,
there is also some speculation that a plug-in hybrid could be offered.
Fortunately, we probably won’t have to
wait all that long to discover more about the Purosangue, as it is expected to
premiere sometime in 2021.
