Spy shots of the all-new Volkswagen Tharu revealed: featuring a brand-new design style and a hybrid system capable of pure electric driving.

Spy shots of the all-new Volkswagen Tharu have recently surfaced, showing the vehicle undergoing road testing in Europe. Built on the Volkswagen MQB Evo platform and featuring the brand's latest design language, the new model boasts bold, rugged lines and a more commanding visual presence; it is expected to hit the market in 2028.

In terms of appearance, the new vehicle features a full-width daytime running light design, while the front grille is positioned within the front bumper—a styling approach reminiscent of the Tiguan L. Although the vehicle has a compact overall profile, it is expected to be longer than the current model and comes equipped with a panoramic glass roof. It sports blacked-out wheels that reinforce its sporty aesthetic, and the rear echoes the front with a full-width taillight design.

In terms of powertrain, the all-new Volkswagen Tharu will feature Volkswagen's proven hybrid system—a setup widely used in key European models such as the T-ROC and Golf, with reliability and fuel efficiency that have been validated by the market.

For reference, the T-ROC hybrid model features a powertrain combining a 1.5 TSI evo2 turbocharged engine with dual electric motors. It is equipped with a 1.6 kWh battery that is charged via regenerative braking and an engine-driven generator. The system delivers a combined output of 125 kW and 309 Nm of torque; compared to the mild-hybrid version, it achieves a 10%–15% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions under WLTP combined conditions, with energy efficiency in urban driving improving by up to 35%.