Skoda Octavia RS Plus :: hardcore wagon spied testing

The test car, which was snapped by CarAdvice’s spy photographers in the Czech Republic, cuts a stealthy figure, finished in matt black paint and wearing the 19-inch black and red alloy wheels of the TT RS Plus from sister brand Audi.

Providing further clues to the wagon’s heightened performance is its larger front air intakes, larger brake discs and bright red brake calipers, and quad exhaust system, which has twice as many outlets as the regular Octavia RS.

All these enhancements point to more power under the bonnet. The Octavia RS Plus – as our spy photographers have christened it – may be the next model to feature the Volkswagen Group’s 206kW/380Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which is used in the all-wheel-drive Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R, as well as the front-drive Seat Leon Cupra and updated Volkswagen Scirocco R.

The regular Octavia RS is powered by the Golf GTI’s 162kW/350Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, and in six-speed manual wagon form sprints from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds. That time would likely be trimmed closer to 6.0 seconds with the 206kW motor on board.

While all-wheel drive is possible, it’s likely the Skoda Octavia RS Plus will remain front-wheel drive and employ a mechanical limited-slip differential, saving weight and development cost.

European reports suggest the hardcore Octavia could debut later this year to celebrate the RS performance division’s 40^th anniversary, though it’s not expected to reach showrooms until 2015. It’s unclear if the RS Plus will become a regular production model or be produced in limited numbers as a special edition.