Spy photographers have caught the first pictures of the next-generation Jetta testing in the Southwest.

We learned earlier this year that production of the new Jetta will begin before the end of 2017 , but the new car is otherwise shrouded in mystery.

It has long been predicted that the Mk7 Jetta would resemble the "Midsize Coupe Concept" from the 2014 Beijing Auto Show and it looks like those predictions were right. Although it's hard to tell just what this new car looks like because of the camouflage, its sloped roofline and wide stance are reminiscent of that concept.

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Predictions also had the next-gen Jetta being based on VW's hard-working MQB platform, like the Mk7 Golf. That would give this car access to all of the same engines as the Golf. A 2.0-liter turbo is expected to be the most popular engine.

The arrival of the new Jetta will be exciting news for VW of America, though, as the Jetta has long been a favorite in the region.