Lamborghini has confirmed that its Urus SUV concept, which was introduced at the Bejing Auto Show in 2012, will be a reality by 2017.

Specific details about the production version of the Urus are very thin on the ground but what is certain is that, unlike its flagship supercars, this vehicle will not have a V12 engine, unless it is a very frugal powerplant and one mated to a battery motor.

European emissions laws will be so tight by 2017 that the V12 will have been consigned to history by pretty much every motor manufacturer by that time.

Most likely is a de-tuned V10 like the one in the existing Gallardo supercar or a twin turbo V8 to ensure maximum torque and power even at low speeds. That said, one thing that is clear is that Lamborghini is hoping that the final engine produces 600bph – i.e., more than a Ferrari Enzo.

At the moment, Land Rover’s latest Range Rover more or less has the market segment to itself — there is no other vehicle available that offers the car’s levels of off-road technology, on-road performance and in-cabin luxury.

However, it is about to be challenged in the shape of new models from Bentley, Audi and now Lamborghini.

In July, Bentley officially green-lit production of its own SUV, expected to arrive in 2016 and Aston Martin has also made it clear that it still has plans on the table to relaunch its Lagonda brand as a range of luxury off-roaders.

Even Rolls-Royce has admitted that although it has no current plans that it would “never say never” when it came to entering the SUV segment.