Volkswagen New Touareg Review
Volkswagen had unveiled the second-generation of the Touareg at 2010 New York International Auto Show. With the Volkswagen Touareg being a CBU, even India will get the 2011 Touareg once its launched in the European market.
Previously one of the biggest polluters in the Volkswagen line-up, the all-new Touareg Hybrid promises to give the gas-guzzling SUV a new, greener image.
The Touareg Hybrid was unveiled alongside a brand new conventional Touareg model at the Postpalast in Munich. The new Touareg itself will offer a range of conventional petrol and diesel engine options, stop-start technology and an eight-speed transmission, equating to up to 20 per cent more fuel efficiency. However, it is the hybrid model that really catches the eye.
Design/Styling:
Among the features of the new Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid is a 3.3litre supercharged V6 direct injection petrol engine that produces 333PS and 265lb-ft of torque. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 28.7mpg and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been reduced to 193g/km. It can achieve a maximum speed of 149mph and accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.5seconds.
When compared to a conventional SUV of the same size and power, the hybrid offers more than 25 per cent fuel savings in city driving. Much of the fuel savings can be attributed to the following four elements:
- E-Motor: All electric driving reduces petrol consumption and the V6 TSI is not only shut off but also disengaged from the eight speed automatic to reduce drag torque.
- Coasting: When the driver releases the accelerator, the V6 TSI is disengaged and as the Touareg rolls significantly longer, drag torque losses are eliminated.
- Regenerative braking: When braking, the E-Motor recovers kinetic energy which is stored in the NiMH battery pack.
- Stop-Start system: This improves fuel economy, particularly in urban traffic.
The 2011 Touareg gets the new Volkswagen face and styling created by Walter de’Silva, Volkswagen’s chief of design. The front grille is now narrow if compared to the outgoing model and the trapezoidal headlamps even get the LED surrounds. The silhouette of the Touareg remains almost similar, with not so arched wheel flares. The new 2011 Touareg gets a crown hood with a step at its sides giving it a more muscular look. The SUV gets chrome garnish with chrome surrounds around the greenhouse and a strip running on the rocker. The rear of the new Touareg is more pronounced and gets LED taillamps as well. Volkswagen's new RNS850 touch screen entertainment and navigation system features an 8-inch screen, a 60GB hard drive with 18GB of space available to upload audio, video, and more, and a DVD/CD player with MP3 playback and Satellite/FM/AM stereo.
Mechanicals:
The Volkswagen Touareg will be available with the same 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine, with 4-MOTION, which is Volkswagen’s term for all-wheel drive system.
Overall Evaluation:
This new 2011 Volkswagen Touareg will be a great buying option considering all the bells and whistles it comes loaded with. The newer SUV has more road presence than the older one and should have better sales figures if compared to the current Touareg. This will come true only if Volkswagen price it well.
Specs (Speculated)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 TDIPower: 239bhp
CarWale's Words: Should be a good option considering the features and styling.