Ferrari Purosangue SUV rendered

Up until the moment the polarising Ferrari Purosangue crossover vehicle is officially revealed, you're going to be stuck looking at renderings like this one.

The Automedia artist behind this creation has concluded that flamboyant C-shaped headlights with tiny air intakes tucked behind them will make the cut.

Little is known about the Ferrari's first four-door model apart from its development name, project Purosangue, and its arrival date of 2022, but company officials have said it will be the most extreme vehicle in its class.

Just don't ask what segment it fits into. Ferrari has been assiduous in avoiding the term SUV in official documentation.

In fact, Ferrari chief executive Louis Camilleri describes the new model as a vehicle designed for "multiple occasions and passengers".

Power? Expect every trick in the book to help hide its increased mass, from electric motors to turbocharging and possibly even something else besides.

The Italian sports car brand's powertrain options are growing, which means it can tap 12, 8 or even 6-cylinder power.

Indeed, the traditional V12 and turbo V8 engines will be joined by a turbo V6 in due course, which is very much a chance for at least one Ferrari Purosange model grade.

Electrification is almost certain to be involved with at least one and possibly even two electric motors backing up a high-revving petrol engine. The hybrid module will provide added acceleration at low speeds while ensuring the car meets strict emissions regulations.

A twin-clutch automatic transmission will send power to all four wheels and given Ferrari's numerous claims the crossover will be the new performance king, it will need to outgun the likes of the 478kW Lamborghini Urus.

The Lamborghini Urus' twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 (478kW/850Nm) is also paired with lots of clever chassis tech, such as an active rear anti-roll bar, adaptive dampers and air suspension not to mention rear wheel steering.

For Ferrari to get an edge it will almost certainly need to offer some high-tech chassis aids, given that it will have the highest ground clearance of any Ferrari to-date and a higher centre of gravity as a result.

It's not clear whether the new model will be based on a unique Ferrari platform, potentially shared with a new generation of GT models, or leverage platform architecture from something like the Maserati Levante (which already has a bit of Ferrari DNA under the bonnet).

Despite arriving to the SUV party late – although the same could be said of the Aston Martin DBX and upcoming Lotus SUV – the high-riding Ferrari wagon is expected to make a lot of coin for the brand, which says China will be one of its biggest markets.

The Ferrari Purosange SUV has been confirmed for Australia and the price tag? As the old saying goes, if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Enrico Galliera, Ferrari's marketing boss, said the new load-lugger will introduce "significant" price increases over the current average price of a Ferrari sports car.

If you've been wondering about the name, 'puro' means pure and 'sangue' means blood in Italian. But the idea of an SUV being a 'pure blood' or 'thoroughbred' is an insult to many of the Ferrari faithful who see this vehicle diluting the brand's legacy.