Volkswagen Golf R400 spy photos

Outwardly, the prototype looks like a regular seventh-generation Golf R hatchback, but a closer inspection reveals a few telltale signs, including some external and internal diagnostic equipment.

The Wolfsburg-registered vehicle rides on low profile Michelin tyres with Speedline Corse wheels, behind which are cross-drilled brakes with big calipers.

At the front, hiding behind the grille, is what looks like an oil cooler. Out the back, there's a taller spoiler rising up above the top of the hatch.

The rest of the styling package seems to be the same as the regular Golf R, although we'd be surprised if Volkswagen isn't developing a unique aero kit for the R400.

The R400 concept debuted at the 2014 Beijing auto show, and along with its wild bodykit, it featured a high-output 2.0-litre turbocharged engine generating 295kW of power and 450Nm of torque. That's some 89kW and 70Nm more than the run-of-the-mill Golf R.

Power is sent to the ground via six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission and a Haldex all-wheel drive system.

Earlier reports suggested that the production version will launch towards the end of 2015, and that the engine may, in fact, sport up to 309kW (420PS) of power. If this were the case, the company may rebrand the car as the R420.