[imagesource:lamborghini]

The prevalence of over-the-top luxurious SUVs may well be justified in a country where roads have become a national disaster, and up until now, those pesky potholes were a good ‘sell’ when you try to convince your spouse that you simply need to have a 4-ton gadget-laden behemoth to run the kids to school.

Cause you know, potholes and dirt.

But if the state of our roads really is a factor worth considering when it comes to spending your yearly bonus, Lamborghini has just thrown a  monster into your commuting discussions.

Behold the new generation of plaas bakkie.

Described as a jacked-up, armoured, off-road psychopath, the new Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is a 449 kW offroad-capable supercar that can get you from the city to the mielie fields at 260km/h.

Manufacturers are aware they can’t keep adding power and speed, both of which breached sensible levels a long time ago, so they need to find new avenues to have fun. A car that offers all the noise and drama of a traditional supercar but adds Mad Max styling and ballsy oversteer at lower speeds, is one possible answer.

And Lambo has responded in their usual breathtakingly beautiful way.

[image:lamborghini.com]

[image:lamborghini.com]

[image:lamborghini.com]

[image:lamborghini.com]

The whole car just looks angry, and skid plates and underbody armour ensure that when they say off-road, they mean off the road. The car height has been increased and chunky, run-flat treads in oversized wheel hubs ensure that potholes become fun-holes as you tear down Lower Buitenkant Street.

With dirt, sand and all manner of things being lobbed about by the tyres, a new roof scoop feeds clean air into the engine, but means rear visibility is non-existent. A new pitch and roll indicator and a compass function on the central screen also help you to survive the road to AfrikaBurn in relative safety.

Besides the impressive performance, the Sterrato also comes with roof racks, so the missus doesn’t have to follow you around with your camping gear in the Range Rover as you tear up the Winelands.

As Top Gear aptly puts it: It’s controlled hooliganism.

The bad news is that only 1 499 of these bad boys were produced, so unless you are one of the peeps who forked out £232,820 (R5.5 Million), you will just have to settle for a Porsche SUV. Lame, I know.

If the Lamborghini seems like an unlikely off-road, check out the below video.

It’s OK if you feel like your Fortuner sucks a little after watching this.

[source:lamborghini&topgear]