THE latest Volkswagen Touareg SUV is to gain some extra luxury with the arrival of the new range-topping trim level - R-Line Plus.

The 4x4 Touareg R-Line Plus uses the well-equipped R-Line as a starting point, and builds in additions inside and out.

Externally, the five-seat SUV's alloy wheels are upgraded from 20 inches to 21-inch "Mallory" design.

The R-Line Plus models also come equipped with Volkswagen's Area View technology as standard. This utilises front, rear and side wide-angle cameras mounted within the door mirrors to provide a 360-degree bird's-eye exterior view of the SUV that is displayed on the Touareg's dashboard display screen.

Changes have also been made inside. The centre console, dash and air vent surrounds are finished in Piano Black, and the cabin features luxurious leather upholstery.

The front seats are now 14-way electronically adjustable and the front head restraints include four-way adjustment.

The extra equipment on the top-ranger has a value of £3,255 if specified separately, but the premium over the Touareg R-Line is a £1,160, underlining the car's great value.

That figure applies whether the customer chooses the 204bhp 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine or the 262bhp 3.0-litre V6 TDI.

Both offer a combined figure of 42.8 mpg, while COemissions for the 204bhp engine are 173g/km or 174g/km for the 262bhp engine.

Feautres carried over from the Touareg R-Line models include lowered sports suspension, R-Line body styling, a panoramic sunroof, Bi-xenon headlights, black roof-lining, a heated steering wheel, electric tailgate, and keyless entry.

The new Touareg R-Line Plus is priced from £48,095.