Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 goes roofless

Lamborghini has released a photograph of what looks to be an open-air version of its wild track-bred Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 testing.

The new model is being developed by the Italian supercar-maker's Squadra Corse motorsport division, whose engineers have not only taken a gas-axe to the Essenza SCV12 but completely removed the front windscreen for the full wind-in-the-hair experience, matching a similar approach McLaren took with its Elva hypercar.

Look closely and on the camouflaged body work it reads "attenzione macchina aperta", which translates as "attention: fast open car".

Compensating for the modifications, the new unnamed Lamborghini appears to have a completely redesigned rear body that ditches the Essenza SCV12's wild rear wing and looks closer to the Sian FKP 37 hybrid.

This suggests the new limited-run model could be road-legal and share more with the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, as well as the Sian FKP 37 which is expected to donate its advanced hybrid powertrain.

That means instead of a naturally-aspirated 620kW V12, the roofless Lamborghini will get a supercapacitor-assisted 48-volt 6.5-litre V12 that will produce 602kW.

With a healthy weight saving expected over both the coupe and roadster Sian, the new roadster should hit 100km/h in less than 2.7 seconds, although compromised aerodynamics means it's unlikely to come close to its donor car's 350km/h top speed.

There's no official confirmation yet, but it's believed Lamborghini will restrict its Ferrari Monza SP1 rival to a small production run, which could be as low as the 19 units of the Sian FKP Roadster.

With such ultra-exclusive status, expect Lamborghini to charge a seven-figure sum when it reveals more details of its wild, screen-less roadster later this year.

It's not the first time Lamborghini has toyed with the idea of a powerful V12 roadster that ditches a roof and full windscreen. Back in 2012 it created the radical one-off Aventador J that was rumoured to have costs its owner around $4 million.