THE NEXT GENERATION Volkswagen Touareg, expected to land late next year as a 2011 model, has been spied testing on the roads of Germany this week.
The new 2011 Touareg will address the the current model’s lack of space for seven passengers, despite being slightly smaller in overall dimensions than the current outgoing model.
A range of new, more fuel-efficient engines will feature in the Touareg line-up, starting with a 208kW 3.2 litre V6 petrol engine, through to a range-topping 257kW 4.2 litre V8. A pair of diesel engines are expected to join the petrol engines, with 2.7 and 3.0 litre capacities.
The next generation Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 models are expected to utilise the same platform, which will feature greater use of aluminium for weight reduction.
These new images follow reports of a Touareg test mule wearing a modified version of the current model’s body, with a widened rear bumper and a different intake system.
This latest batch of images reveals that Volkswagen has begun testing an actual prototype of the 2011 model.
While the heavy camouflaging gives away little, the new model is expected to take on a sportier look, drawing inspiration from the more recent Tiguan (see TMR’s 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan review here) and wearing Volkswagen’s new family face.
