BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: VW teases new Touareg

Volkswagen has released several teaser images of a new "high-tech" SUV concept it has confirmed will make its world debut at next week's Beijing motor show, starting April 25.

Few other details are available, but the as-yet-unnamed concept is most likely to preview a replacement for Volkswagen's flagship SUV, the Touareg, the second generation of which was launched in 2011.

Alternatively, it could be a Chinese version of the large new seven-seat SUV revealed at the Detroit show in January and previewed by the VW CrossBlue concept in 2013.

The same year saw Volkswagen unveil the sleeker CrossBlue Coupe concept at the 2013 Shanghai show.

If that's the case, like the US-only CrossBlue, China's version is unlikely to be sold in Australia, where Volkswagen's largest SUV will remain the luxurious Touareg and where the first of three new Tiguan models – including the first seven-seat and 'coupe' versions – will arrive later this year.

Either way, it's clear from these shadowy images that Volkswagen's China-focussed SUV concept is close to production and wears a large five-door wagon body featuring a number of LED signature graphics.

Volkswagen describes the full-size SUV concept as an 'upper-class high-tech SUV' and says it packs an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain comprising a 280kW electric motor up front.

It claims that gives it an EV-only range of 50km, 0-100km/h acceleration in six seconds and a 225km/h top speed.

Interior technologies will also be a highlight, with Volkswagen confirming the cabin will be heavily digitised and feature a curved glass infotainment screen at the centre of its "display and control concept", which will enable "a completely new range of interactivity".

Details are scarce, but VW says to expect an "Active Info Display and infotainment system merged under a sheet of transparent glass to become a Curved Interaction Area.

"The interior is a relaxed living space, and digitalised operation focuses on the person more than ever," it said.

Expect Volkswagen's new Touareg to roll out late next year – after the German giant has completed the launch of its expanded new three-model Tiguan family and the two all-new small SUVs that will slot beneath it.