2021 Aurus Commendant Spy Shot.

The third model of Russia's new luxury car brand Aurus has been spotted testing in prototype form.

Still in the early stages of development, the vehicle is a luxury SUV called the Kommendant, which will go on sale in Russia in late 2020 or early next year. It will join the expanding Aurus lineup alongside the Arsenal minivan and Senat sedan. The Senat is also available as a limousine, with an armored version being used as Vladimir Putin's presidential limousine.

Judging from spy shots, the Commendant will share features with its Arsenal and Senato relatives. Despite some similarities to the modern Rolls-Royce, the styling inspiration comes from an old ZIL sedan built at the end of the Soviet Union.

Styling is not the only thing Aurus cars have in common. They are all built on a common architecture known as the Unified Modular Platform. It is a rear-wheel drive platform, with all-wheel drive and hybrid technology.

The development is being undertaken by a consortium of Russian automakers led by the Russian Central Research Institute of Automobiles and Automotive Engines (NAMI) in collaboration with Porsche. Aurus has utilized the German automaker's engineering services, particularly in the development of powertrains.

The powertrain for the Commendant will be the same V8-based hybrid powertrain used for the Senat. This powertrain will combine a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with an electric motor producing around 598 hp, while a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system will complete the powertrain.

Initially, sales will be in Russia, but Aurus is considering other markets, particularly China and the Middle East. China is expected to follow suit with its own luxury lineup under the historic Hongqi brand.

Aurus is produced by a joint venture owned by NAMI and Russian automaker Sollers Group. The first batch is assembled at NAMI, but by 2021 production will be moved to Sollers' plant in Elabuga, Russia.

Also, in case you were wondering, the car's name comes from the Kremlin tower, and the brand name Aurus is a Russian compound of the Latin word aurum, meaning "gold".