Volkswagen Touareg spied with new details

A new set of spy shots of the next-generation VW Touareg have emerged, providing some more hints of what is to come for VW's prized full-sized SUV.

These shots, likely taken in Germany, show the new Touareg undergoing some recent testing alongside a current Touareg model. With the two iterations photographed so close together, the pictures seem to show a smaller Touareg is coming, and one with perhaps a shorter ride height as well. But it's tricky to judge dimensions from a photo like this.

Spotted under the camouflage, according to our spy photographer, are the new LED lights at the front and a newly designed set of taillamps for the rear. Other than that, we can't discern much.

Expected under the hood of the new Touareg will be a 3.0 liter supercharged V6, an engine VW has also fitted to a hybrid drive system in collaboration with Porsche for the upcoming Cayenne S Hybrid. Speculation is that a Touareg hybrid may also come with that drivetrain too. The Touareg will also, of course, be fitted with VW's more powerful diesel engines, including a top-range 5.0 liter biturbo V10 TDI diesel with 350 hp and 850 Nm of torque.

The next-generation Touareg will likely debut late in 2010 and will go on sale in early 2011.