Volkswagen Touareg

Published: Jan 17, 2010Modified: Jan 17, 2010

The New 2011 VolksWagen Touareg:

Volkswagen SUV is one of the safest automobiles of all times

New Touareg Hybrid with maximum power of 380 PS consumes just 8.2 l/100 km Touareg V6 TDI sets best fuel economy value among large SUVs with 7.4 l/100 km New Touareg V8 TDI consumes 2.8 l/100 km less than previous model World’s first car with camera-based continuous main beam “Dynamic Light Assist”

Wolfsburg/Florence, March 2010. About 500,000 car drivers chose to buy the first generation of the Touareg. It is a luxury sport utility ve hicle that offers a high level of comfort, sporty driving properties, avantgarde styling, excellent quality and unlimited expedition capabilities – essentially the best of the passenger car and off-road worlds unified in one concept. This legacy is now being continued in the new Touareg – a high-end and versatile all-round vehicle that brings these two worlds together even more perfectly. The Touareg will be available at dealers in Europe as soon as April of this year.

Up to 25 percent more fuel efficient engines

The second generation Touareg reinterprets the fascinating idea of a multipurpose SUV in a contemporary way – thanks to a range of engi nes that are up to 25 percent more fuel efficient and a large variety of new assistance and safety systems.

Touareg Hybrid can drive up to 50 km/h on pure electric power

The Touareg will also be the first Volkswagen SUV to be offered in a hybrid version (V6 TSI plus E-motor). When the V6 TSI and E-motor work simultaneously (boosting), a total power of up to 279 kW/380 PS is generated with a maximum torque of 580 Newton-metres as measured on the dynamometer. Yet, it sets standards among fully off-road capa ble SUVs with petrol engines with a fuel consumption value of just 8.2 litres fuel per 100 kilometres. The Touareg Hybrid can be driven up to 50 km/h in purely electric mode - emissions-free. Like all Touaregs, the hybrid version is also designed for trailer payloads of up to 3.5 tonnes.

Fuel economy and emissions values are also significantly improved on the conventionally powered Touareg versions. All engines satisfy the Euro-5 emissions standard and also have a new thermal management system to guarantee that the proper operating temperature is reached quicker, which is important in attaining better fuel economy especially on short driving trips.

Optimised V6 FSI consumes 2.5 litres less petrol per 100 kilometres

Consider the V6 FSI, a direct-injection petrol engine with 206 kW/280 PS: At 9.9 l/100 km, the 3.6-litre engine with 360 Newton-metres torque now consumes an incredible 2.5 litres less than the previous version. This combined fuel consumption is equivalent to CO2 emissions of 236 g/km. That is precisely 60 g/km less than before.

Optimised V6 TDI breaks the 7.5-litre barrier

Consider the V6 TDI, the most fuel-efficient Touareg engine: With regard to power, an advanced development of the successful V6 TDI with 176 kW /240 PS (European version) and BlueMotion Technology offers entry into the world of the Touareg; the 550 Newton-metre strong turbodiesel consumes a ground-breaking low 7.4 l/100 km (equivalent to 195 g/km CO2), which is 1.9 litres less than before. CO2 emissions were reduced by 49 g/km.

New V8 TDI replaces the V10 TDI

Consider the V8 TDI, the newest turbodiesel with 250 kW /340 PS. Considering its power and fabulous maximum torque of 800 Newton- metres (!), the combined fuel consumption of 9.1 l/100 km (equivalent to 239 g/km CO2) is extremely good - 2.8 litres less than the now retired V10 TDI.

World’s first SUV with 8-speed automatic

All Touareg versions are now shifted by a standard 8-speed automatic transmission – the first of its kind in the world in the SUV segment. The 7 th and 8 th gears are laid out as fuel-efficient overdrive gears. The 8 th gear reduces engine speed by 34 percent compared to 6 th gear. That saves on fuel and reduces emissions.

Lighter in weight and more aerodynamic

As has already been accomplished on the globally successful, smaller SUV, the Tiguan, Volkswagen is systematically striving for sustain ability on the large Touareg too. The first precondition for sustainability has been met in the Touareg’s significantly more fuel-efficient engines. The second precondition has been met as well: The weight of the base model Touareg has been reduced by 208 kilograms. A quantum leap. Yet, the body has five percent greater torsional rigidity, which makes it the leader in its competitive class. The third precondition has also been achieved: Designers attained a significantly improved Cd value. It was reduced from 0.38 to 0.35. Along with aerodynamic refinement measures, another factor at work here is that this Touareg sits lower to the ground than the previous model. This, together with a front end in the style of the new Volkswagen Design DNA, results in a smaller frontal area.

All-wheel drive in two versions

Another element that has been modified in the quest for reduced fuel consumption is the Touareg’s standard all-wheel drive. In the base version (4MOTION), all new generation Touaregs have all-wheel drive with Torsen limited-slip differential (4MOTION; 31 degree climbing gradient). Like the Tiguan Track & Field, the Touareg also has an “Offroad driving programme”, which - via a two-position rotary switch - tunes the ABS, EDS and ASR for off-road duty, activates Hill Descent Assist and adjusts shift points of the automatic gearbox. As an option, the V6 TDI can be ordered with an optional “Terrain Tech Packet” instead of a Torsen differential; it has an even more rugged transfer case designed for off-road driving. It includes reduction gearing and centre and rear differentials, each with up to 100 percent locking (4XMOTION; 45 degree climbing gradient). Similar to the system on the first Touareg generation, this “4XMotion” also has a five-position rotary switch which allows the driver to adapt the car to specific conditions over five levels.

More space for everyone

Volkswagen has not only made the new Touareg a lighter, more fuel efficient and agile performer; it has become an even more versatile, all-round vehicle. The new interior was made more functional, the seats more comfortable and legroom in the rear is increased thanks to a 41 millimetre extension of the wheelbase to 2,893 millimetres. Now the rear bench seat has 160 millimetres in longitudinal adjustment, and the backrest angle can be altered. As an option, it can be electrically unlatched at the press of a button; it then folds down in seconds to free up 1,642 litres of cargo space. Already standard equipment in the base version is a radio-CD and info system that is intuitively controlled via a 6.5-inch touch-screen. The top version offers a radio-navigation system with a 60 Gigabyte hard drive and 3D representation of buildings.

One of the most innovative and safest passenger cars of all times

The parking brake is now activated by pushbutton. The engine (V6 versions) automatically shuts off at traffic lights and restarts as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal (Stop-Start system). The V6 versions gather valuable kinetic energy during braking and coasting and store it. The oil dipstick has now been retired: The engine oil level is displayed electronically in this Touareg. As an option, the tailgate can be opened and closed automatically. The Touareg can also be specified with a large panoramic sunroof – the largest ever used on an SUV - to provide maximum light in the cabin even on overcast days.

There are innovative features in the vehicle’s assistance systems too. The new Area View utilises four cameras located around the car that transmit an accurate view of the Touareg’s surroundings to enhance safety. Also offering protection are up to nine airbags. Lane Assist en su res that the vehicle does not stray from the right path; meanwhile, Side Assist warns of vehicles approaching from the rear when changing lanes. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) plus Front Assist can brake the car to a stop in an emergency. Proactive occupant protection, also comple tely new, networks the assistance systems and ensures that in case of an accident not only are the belts tensioned, but the windows and panoramic sunroof are closed as a result of any sudden lateral change in direction.

A world first: Bi-xenon headlights with Dynamic Light Assist. This camera- based continuous main beam headlight actually “sees” on co ming traffic and automatically adjusts – via the curve lighting modu le and individually for each headlight - the main beam to elimi na te unwanted glare. The enhanced safety and convenience offe red by Dynamic Light Assist is as significant as the introduction of Xenon technology itself once was. In the sum of its properties, the new Touareg is not only one of the most sustainable SUVs in the world, but also one of the safest passenger vehicles of all times.

Facts Overview

Technology and Feature Highlights

Up to 222 kilogram weight reduction
All-wheel drive as 4MOTION (Torsen differential) or 4XMOTION (centre differen tial with electrically controlled multi-disc lock and reduced off-road gearing)
Hybrid drive (V6 TSI with 8.2 l/100 km)
Fuel efficiency optimised engines; V6 engines with Stop-Start system and regene rative braking; V6 TDI with 7.4 l/100 km, V8 TDI with 9.1 l/100 km, V6 FSI with 9.9 l/100 km
8-speed automatic gearbox (world’s first in an SUV)
Area View including Off-road View (surroundings monitoring system)
Adaptive Cruise Control ACC (with “Stop&Go” and emergency braking function)
Proactive occupant protection system (integral safety)
Lane Assist and Side Assist
Bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and Dynamic Light Assist (world’s first car with masked continuous main beam)
Electronic parking brake
Panoramic sunroof
RNS 850 radio-navigation system (features include 60-GB hard drive, 3D building representation)