SPY PICS: Volkswagen's next Tiguan on test

An all-new second generation of Volkswagen Tiguan will grow in size and spawn three new body styles when it begins reaching global markets in 2016.

The three new variants will comprise a regular short-wheelbase model, a seven-seat long-wheelbase version and a sporty four-door CC-style "coupe." Which versions come to Australia remains open to speculation.

These spy photos of a trailer-toting prototype on test don't show any detail, but do suggest we'll be in for a new Tiguan that continues to sport Volkswagen's carefully conservative, sharp-edged look, longer and more commodious to answer criticisms of the current model.

It's known that the new Tiguan and its seven-seat and 'coupe' derivatives will all be based on Volkswagen's modular MQB platform that underpins the Golf 7 and a host of other models including the Audi TT and Skoda Octavia.

Presumably the new platform will contribute at least to capping the Tiguan's weight (at up to 1642kg it is currently one of the heavier SUVs in its class) without affecting the already generous 2.2-tonne braked towing capacity.

Unlike the current Tiguan's Jeep-style squared off wheel arches, the new car sports properly radiused, round arches.

Shut lines on the hatch also hint at a much wider opening into the load area and the trapezoidal tailpipes on each side speak of a degree of sportiness. It's difficult to say for certain, but the side window lines appear to terminate, rather than extend into, the C-pillar as well.

As far as drivelines are concerned there's a distinct probability we'll see a continuation of the current engine line-up – including four-cylinder turbo petrol and diesel – as well as 2WD or 4MOTION AWD and manual or DSG transmissions varying from six to seven speeds, dependent on engine.

We won't know for ages what variants of the next Tiguan are likely to come to Australia, which could be decided by what the company decides to do in terms of left-hand and right-hand drive build. However, the prospect of a bigger, seven-seat Tiguan to provide a countermeasure against other three-row mid-size SUVs would be a tempting one for the local Volkswagen office. With the Tiguan's growth, it will likely move up from the small SUV segment in which it currently resides, to the medium SUV segment, where a seven-seat version could go up directly against Mitsubishi's seven-seat Outlander.

The current Tiguan was launched in Australia in 2008 and, apart from a facelift that also heralded the arrival of a cheaper 2WD version in 2011, has not really featured any major changes since then. Its swamping by a swathe of newer SUVs from Japan, Korea and Europe has blunted its initial class-leading persona and magnified its perceived shortcomings on load-carrying abilities.