FOLLOWING THE GLOBAL DEBUT of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf VI, development is well underway on the next generation Jetta, based - as with its forebear - on the Golf hatch.

Snapped undergoing hot weather testing in the US, the heavily-camouflaged new Jetta, while giving away little at the front and rear ends, reveals the same sharpened styling of its Golf stablemate along its flanks.

The new Jetta will likely carry the family face established by the Scirocco and the new Golf VI. The rear end, seen in the following photo, clearly features a tail-light design quite different ot the Golf but one that will likely follow VW’s new design language.

Interior styling is likely to be largely identical to the Golf. For power, we can expect the new Jetta to be motivated by the same engine options offered in the new Golf, including TSI petrol and TDI diesel options.

Referred to internally as Volkswagen’s ‘new compact sedan’, the 2011 Jetta should go on sale around the first quarter of next year, but no official word has been offered on a launch date. A Detroit Motor Show debut in January is likely.

GALLERY » 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Spy Shots