Seems Skoda’s been busy with its Kodiaq SUV. This mysterious picture, taken at the Nürburgring, confirms the news that TG brought you last year: a Skoda Kodiaq vRS is indeed in the pipeline.

TopGear.com understands this fast Kodiaq SUV will feature the VW Group’s BiTDi 2.0-litre diesel engine, just like in a Volkswagen Passat. In that car, the engine kicks out 237bhp, and is punchy enough to go from 0-100kph in just 6.1s.

Even in seven-seat form, the Kodiaq weighs in at just under the Passat’s 1,721kg, so expect something similar in that all-important 0-100kph sprint. Top speed? Who knows, it’s an SUV, you don’t want to be troubling the limiter.

What else do we know? Again, TG understands that this fast Skoda Kodiaq vRS will arrive at some point later this year, and will likely feature uprated springs and dampers to cope with the additional power boost. We’re betting on an all-wheel-drive only vRS, too, and – likely – a DSG gearbox. Though we’re not sure on that last point – what would you like to see?

And as ever with a schporty SUV, expect some mild bodywork changes too: new bumpers, more badges, hell, even vents.

More as we have it…