In recent months, Ferrari has been caught testing prototypes of the upcoming hardcore 812 GTO and a new hypercar that could be a successor to the LaFerrari. Now, the Italian automaker has been spied testing a mysterious GTC4Lusso mule on the road and track.

In the following video, the GTC4 Lusso looks identical to the production model, but a closer inspection reveals some subtle modifications. As it creeps around the track slowly, you can clearly see a sensor is fitted to the roof. It's also riding much lower to the ground than the standard model, so it looks like something heavy inside is loading it down to the point the back end is almost kissing the tarmac.

This may explain why it's driving so slowly - seeing a Ferrari being driven at such a leisurely pace is a very unusual sight. So, what exactly is Ferrari up to here? Last year, Ferrari confirmed the GTC4Lusso and GTC4Lusso T shooting brakes will be discontinued, so we can rule out the possibility of Ferrari testing a next-generation model.

The demise of the GTC4Lusso paves the way for its future replacement: the Ferrari Purosangue. There's a good chance, then, that this GTC4Lusso is a test mule for Ferrari's first SUV that will take on the Lamborghini Urus.

The Purosangue is expected to arrive in 2022, so it makes sense that testing is already underway. Riding on a modified version of the modular front-engined platform that underpins the Roma GT, the Purosangue will reportedly be powered by an 800-horsepower V12, with a V8 hybrid joining the lineup at a later date.

The Purosangue is just the start of Ferrari's SUV plans, too. After the Purosangue arrives in 2022, Ferrari will launch two fully electric SUVs, with the first launching in 2024 and the second arriving in 2026.