Skoda plans to reintroduce the Fabia vRS hot hatch – and we thought this prototype appeared to be the warmed-over supermini out on test.

We’re expecting the go-faster Fabia next year, possibly at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010.

Close analysis of these spy photos reveals a new front spoiler lurking under the disguise; the aero aids are noticeably honed and the air intakes much bigger.

However Skoda's press office rang today to say this is not the next vRS, but merely a test mule which was testing shapes for a front bumper to measure aerodynamics.

But it did confirm a vRS would be arriving next year.

Will the new Fabia vRS sport a turbodiesel like the last one? It’s not clear yet, but sticking a diesel in a hot hatch’s engine bay does limit its appeal to many enthusiasts.

We’d expect the new vRS to offer a petrol option this time – possibly the VW Group’s twin-charged 1.4-litre engine with around 170bhp.

The four-cylinder engine comes in either turbocharged or turbo and supercharged forms and would be perfect for providing thrills in a front-drive supermini package. 

In other VW Group cars, the 1.4-litre engine is available with the seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox, which would be available on the Skoda.

Expect further visual tweaks on the production car.

The front bib and the size of the brake discs misled us to suggest this was the Fabia vRS on test, but the finished production cars will have a bodykit and natty alloy wheels.

Supplied by www.carmagazine.co.uk