The ever-vigilant Automedia lenses have been at it again, this time snapping an amped-up test mule for what could become a Skoda Octavia RS+ wagon packing up to 220kW.
It's not the first time the Czech brand has toyed with an uber-hot version of its Octavia wagon, as it revealed such a concept based on the previous-gen model at the 2008 Essen motor show in Germany.
Although official details are scant, it's believed this matte-black prototype could be a precursor to a flagship wagon with a racy interior, Audi TT-RS alloys and a raft of powertrain and suspension tweaks.
If you look closely you'll notice there are four exhausts peeping out from under the rear bumper, and this provides some clues to the uprated engine this wagon is believed to be packing.
Whereas the existing Octavia RS puts out a modest 162kW, the Euro grapevine suggests this model could share the same 221kW 'EA888' engine that powers the latest VW Golf R.
If this is indeed the case, the stove-hot Skoda is also likely to score the Golf R's Haldex all-wheel-drive system to effectively put all that grunt to the ground.
Given that the standard Octavia RS sprints to 100km/h in 6.8sec, it's possible this variant could break into the high-5sec bracket with its added mumbo and traction. However, this is pure speculation at this point.
Naturally, the brakes and suspension will be uprated accordingly, but we might know more precise details by late November, if Skoda is to follow tradition and reveal the car at the Essen motor show.
We like what we see, as the souped-up Skoda appears to be shaping up as the ultimate school-run special or stealth machine – depending on how you choose to look at it.