Spy photographers have caught Volkswagen’s redesigned 2011 Touareg SUV undergoing hot-weather testing in the isolated deserts of the United States.

Photos from WorldCarFans.com is the first time the 2011 VW Touareg has been caught wearing a production body. It looks like the Touareg is growing taller in size, ruining the sleeker appearance of the current version. This could mean the addition of a 3rd-row seat.

Power is expected to be provided by a variety of corporate engines, including a supercharged 3.0L V6, a possible speculated 3.0L turbo 4-cylinder, and a hybridized version of the supercharged 3.0L V6 shared with the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid. Volkswagen may also offer the high-performance Touareg R50 featuring a turbodiesel 5.0L V10 TDI engine.

The new VW Touareg to be unveiled in late 2010, with sales beginning in early 2011.