The last time our spy photographers caught up with Volkswagen’s engineers, they were working on test mules of the seventh generation Golf GTI and Golf R models, both of which were wearing Golf Mk6 bodies on top of the German group’s new Modularer Querbaukasten (or MQB) platform.

Always on the lookout, they have now managed to capture the German firm’s people testing a regular version of the next Golf Mk7 complete with its newly styled body.

Albeit heavily disguised, the prototype confirms our suspicions that VW won’t mess around with the classic Golf styling cues such as the think C-Column design, though the front-end of the car does appear to be sharper with the lights and grille placed lower than on the current model.

The new Golf will be offered with several bodies including the traditional three- and five-door hatchbacks, a tall minivan-like model for Europe called Golf Plus along with its crossover-ish sibling, the CrossGolf, the station wagon version which will probably retain its Jetta nameplate in North America, and of course, the recently resurrected soft-top Cabriolet variant.

Even though the seventh iteration of the Golf will grow slightly in length and width, the newly developed MQB platform that will also be used in a vast number of other VW Group models such as the next Audi A3, will actually help reduce the car’s weight over the current model.

There are many innovations going under the hood as well with Volkswagen having officially confirmed that the new 2013 Golf’s lineup will include a pure-electric model fitted with an electric motor delivering 115HP and 270Nm / 199 lb-ft to the front wheels, with energy coming from a set of lithium ion batteries. In its most recent development phase, VW had revealed that the Golf EV offers a driving range of up to 150 kilometers or 93 miles.

Furthermore, Volkswagen will also introduce hybrid versions of the Golf with either gasoline-electric or diesel-electric powertrains.

The regular Golfs will be equipped with the newest generation of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines ranging from a small-displacement 1.2 TSI all the way up to the 2.0 TSI four-bangers in the GTI and the ‘R’ AWD sport models.

The Mk7 Golf should arrive towards the end of 2012.

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