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15/07/2011
REVIEW by EWAN KENNEDY
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Volkswagen has finally introduced the second-generation Touareg to Australia, well over a year after its launch in Europe. This longer than normal delay indicates the success of the Touareg on its home continent.
Volkswagen’s designers have given the new Touareg a neater, cleaner look that ties in nicely with current thinking on SUV design. Owners, particularly in Europe, no longer want to be seen in big macho 4WDs, but do like the convenience of a voluminous body. While Aussies still admit to being attracted to the tough look, many are gradually moving to the European way of thinking.
Styling is neat and tidy, with a front end that follows the now familiar VW theme that is now spreading over the entire range of vehicles. The shape of the rest of the Touareg isn’t particularly adventurous, but that reflects the practical nature of the Volkswagen company. As a positive, a design like this will remain timeless.
Though the VW designers have given the new Touareg the looks of a smaller vehicle, they have actually made it larger inside by stretching the length of the body as well as the wheelbase. This results in a spacious back seat so there's legroom for the tallest of adults. Comfort in the rear has been further improved by making the backrest adjustable for rake.
The Touareg’s luggage area has also been increased in size and is easy to load thanks to the squared off rear end, though the height of the floor may cause hassles for smaller owners.
This time around the designers have bowed to the knowledge that very few people ever take their SUVs off-road. Significant weight loss has been achieved by no longer fitting a two-speed transmission transfer box as standard. Instead it is an extra cost option for those who do want go into the bush or take trips to the beach.
Slightly confusingly, the standard 4WD system, the one without a transfer case, uses the normal VW tag of 4Motion. The heavy-duty 4WD with a transfer case is called 4XMotion.
Despite the increase in size the new VW Touareg is almost 100 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model. This weight reduction has been achieved not only in the aforementioned 4WD system changes, but also in many other areas throughout the vehicle. This has been done without any loss of strength or functionality.
Power is offered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel in two different states of tune. One produces 150 kW of power and 400 Newton metres of torque. The other has 176 kW and 550 Nm in its current format, but power will increase to 180 Nm and have slightly lower fuel consumption with the introduction of an uprated engine in a few weeks’ time.
There’s a big power V8 turbo-diesel in Europe, but at this stage there are no plans to bring it here.
Those who prefer petrol power can buy the new VW Touareg with a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine that has power of 206 kW and top torque of 360 Nm.
All engines sit in front of an automatic transmission with eight forward speeds. This is a conventional torque convertor unit, not a double-clutch DSG as the latter are notoriously awkward at very slow speeds, such as in off-road driving.
Clever engine and transmission design, as well as the aforementioned trimming of weight, has reduced fuel consumption and emissions by as much as 20 per cent compared with the outgoing model.
Initial driving impressions were made during the drive program out of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast where the Touareg was introduced to the press. The new VW SUV has a solid feel and excellent refinement in noise, vibration and harshness control.
At a cruising speed of 110 to 120 km/h there is almost no wind noise so the big VW offers quiet relaxed travel for hours on end.
Visibility outwards is excellent thanks to the slimming down of the windscreen pillars and the moving of the windscreen slightly closer to the front seats. Other makers, please take note.
The view out to the rear is also very good and one of our smaller road testers said she had no trouble at all in normal driving and reverse parking.
Those who have been awaiting the arrival in Australia will be pleased to know we are getting the first update to the Touareg, with some modifications over the original. Nothing major, just the usual refinements that take place in any model in the first year or so after its introduction. Note, however, that the first shipment to Australia contains some of the original cars, without these changes. Consult your VW dealer for full information.
The complete Volkswagen Touareg range is:
150 TDI 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $62,990 (automatic)
V6 FSI 3.6-litre V6 petrol five-door wagon: $67,990 (automatic)
V6 TDI 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $77,990 (automatic)
V6 TDI 4XMotion 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $82,990 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer charges. Contact a Volkswagen dealer for driveaway prices. |
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