By on 2010-03-15 -
Touareg takes on a
cool new image
SEXY and Volkswagen aren't words that have traditionally been uttered in the same breath.
In fact until the funky Scirocco blew in almost 18 months ago there was little you could call cool about the German company's model line-up.
Solid, supremely engineered and dignified, certainly. But trendy, well not really, and definitely not in the case of prestige 4x4 the Touareg.
So design king Walter de Silva - the man behind the Alfa 147 and Audi A5 - was put on the case, and the result is something the Italian describes as his dream car.
Longer, lower and fractionally wider than the model it replaces, the new Touarag now has a genuine elegance that puts it at the top of the luxury SUV pile.
Facially it's trademark VW, but then as de Silva points out: "Everyone has a family picture at home. This is very important."
There's way more than just looks to the new Touareg however. For one thing it is more than 200kg lighter than the current model and 20 per cent more fuel efficient across the range.
But the really big deal concerns the fresh engine line-up along with the arrival of a high powered hybrid model able to outrun many hot hatches while still returning 34 miles per gallon.
The entry level engine, which will make up the lion's share of sales, is a 3.0-litre V6 TDI turbodiesel producing 240PS, has a Stop-Start system and is capable of returning 38.1mpg.
It's very refined, which is no surprise coming from VW, and like the flagship 340PS 4.2 V8 TDI - replacement for the outgoing V10 unit - it features a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Maximum speed is achieved in sixth gear, with the two higher ones being overdrive ratios to reduce both fuel consumption and noise, not that there's much of the latter anyway.
Four models designated SE, Altitude, Hybrid and Escape, will be on offer when deliveries start in August and prices will be from £35,000 for the V6 SE. Top seller, and expected to account for 35 per cent of the action, will be the V6 Altitude model at £41,000.
The most interesting is the Hybrid. It brings together a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine producing 333PS and an electric motor generating 47PS for a total output of 380PS and whopping 428 pounds per foot of torque.
Keep the speed below 30mph and the Touareg operates exclusively on electric power, resulting in spookily silent performance and zero emissions.
But working in conjunction with the V6 it adds some heavy duty punch for overtaking and allows the hybrid to hit 62mph from standstill in 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 149mph. At around £55,000 though, it may struggle for custom.
SE and Altitude models (the V8 only comes in Altitude) are fitted with Volkswagen's 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive system, ideal for lighter off-road use, while the Escape model available with the V6 TDI brings in some more extreme hardware.
Called 4XMOTION, this comprises a two-speed transfer gearbox, centre and rear differentials that can each be fully locked for tough conditions via a five-stage rotary switch.
And as a demanding off-road section during the launch programme demonstrated, it ensures the Touareg Escape is a mud-plugger par excellence.
The bottom line though with a range like the Touareg is how it compares to the opposition, cars like the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Range Rover, Lexus RX and BMW X5.
And the answer is that this next generation model is a car anyone would be privileged to own, because it's that good. Comfort, space, build quality, equipment and now styling are all of the highest order.
There are fresh options too, like High Beam Assist that automatically dips the headlights when oncoming traffic is sensed, Side Assist to warn of vehicles occupying blind spots and air conditioned, massaging seats.
But best of all, the new Touareg now has sex appeal - something that will work wonders for its image as a potential must-have luxury 4x4.
VOLKSWAGEN is releasing a new version of the Touareg large SUV in Britain and...
FOR some, the Volkswagen Touareg is very old school but for many newcomers it...
A NEW version of the Volkswagen Touareg SUV has been released with extra...
Choose from one or more of the options to find the car for you.
Based on your search find the dealership
nearest to you.