2011 volkswagen touareg-evidence manual

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Volkswagen Leads Industry with six TOP SAFETY PICK awards from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Volkswagen Leads Industry with Six TOP SAFETY PICK Awards from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

All-new Jetta and all-new Touareg among six 2011 Volkswagen models awarded TOP SAFETY PICK by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

HERNDON, Va., December 22, 2010 — Six Volkswagen models have earned the prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2011, the highest rating possible from the non-profit safety research organization. The annual award recognizes those vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute's front, side, and rear crash test evaluations, and the newly required roof-strength test evaluations. The Institute only tests vehicles with electronic stability control and head protection airbags. 2011 Volkswagen models awarded are the all-new Jetta, Golf, Jetta Sportwagen, GTI, Tiguan and all-new Touareg.

“Volkswagen has shown an enduring commitment to engineer vehicles with safety performance that goes beyond basic government standards,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “The 2005 Jetta was the first car to ace the Institute’s tough side impact crash test, and Volkswagens like the new 2011 Jetta continue to set the standard with the highest safety ratings.”

“Volkswagen is committed to safety,” said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “To have IIHS recognize a total of six Volkswagen models with this significant achievement is a testament to our commitment to engineering safe vehicles. We are excited to lead the industry with the most Top Safety Pick awards.”

Volkswagen’s newest models for 2011, the Jetta sedan and Touareg SUV earned TOP SAFETY PICK for 2011. Completely redesigned for 2011, the Jetta has a starting price of $15,995. Volkswagen’s flagship, the all new 2011 Touareg, is the only large SUV to earn TOP SAFETY PICK for 2011.


ALL-NEW 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG

COMBINES STUNNING DESIGN WITH

INCREASED POWER AND IMPROVED FUEL

EFFICIENCY HERNDON, Va. – The second generation all-new 2011 Volkswagen Touareg combines cutting-edge German

design, even more versatility and an array of standard features, all while providing a combination of usability and world-class engineering that drivers and passengers have become familiar with in Volkswagen vehicles.

The class changing 2011 Touareg offers three powertrain choices, including Volkswagen’s first-ever

worldwide use of a hybrid engine. All three engines -- the 3.0L V6 TSI® supercharged hybrid, 3.0L V6 TDI® clean diesel and 3.6L V6 FSI® gasoline -- are mated to Volkswagen’s first eight-speed transmission, along with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION® all wheel drive system.

Pricing for the Touareg 3.6L FSI® gasoline begins at $44,450, Touareg TDI at $47,950 and Hybrid comes

fully equipped for $60,565.

Supercharged Hybrid

As Volkswagen’s first production hybrid electric vehicle, the all-new Touareg 3.0-liter supercharged, direct injection V6 gasoline engine is paired with a special electric motor that significantly reduces fuel

consumption and emissions compared to the previous V8 FSI model. The electric motor is paired with a nickel metal-hydride battery pack fitted beneath the luggage compartment. The 288 volt battery consists of 240 individual cells and offers an energy density of 1.7 kWh. Both systems are capable of running independently or together and when combined, produce a total of 380 horsepower and 428 lbs.-ft. of torque. The new supercharged hybrid allows Touareg to offer customers V8 power with better fuel efficiency than a V6 engine.

The eight-speed automatic transmission ensures power is always available, while helping the Touareg Hybrid

achieve an EPA rated 24 mpg during highway driving. When the driver releases the gas pedal, the engine will shut off while a special clutch disengages the transmission from the engine, allowing it to “coast” forward emission free without electric or combustion power to further aid in fuel savings.

Regenerative breaking also allows the electric motor to recover kinetic energy during coasting and braking

to help recharge the nickel metal-hydride battery pack. Touareg Hybrid can drive up to 30 mph on pure electric power.

Another first for the Touareg hybrid is the standard Start-Stop system, which automatically stops the engine

during idling, for example while waiting at a red light. In this system, the brake is the control mechanism and when activated, stops the engine. When the brake is released, the engine starts again. This function improves fuel economy and reduces emissions, especially during city driving conditions.

Exterior

The exterior changes to the 2011 Touareg reflect the refinements under the hood. Compared to its

predecessor, the 2011 Touareg is wider and has a shorter overall height for a stronger presence. A longer wheelbase and greater length provide more room inside the cabin, while the use of new materials and other adjustments have removed approximately 350 pounds from the vehicle.

At the front is a narrower grille opening that seamlessly connects to the trapezoidal headlight housings that

carry U-shaped LED running lights and Bi-XenonTM High Intensity Gas-Discharged headlamps. The housings flow into the new fender flares, and a pair of compact fog lamps at the lower portion of the front fascia stand underneath the Touareg’s front air intakes.

The hood features a raised portion that runs from the grille back, finishing at the side mirrors and giving a

more muscular appearance. A chrome accent strip carries from behind the front wheels, and runs along the bottom of the doors to complement the chrome touches bordering the windows.


The back of the Touareg is defined with pronounced curves around the hatch area, new “L-Design” taillights,

and a blacked out lower bumper with a set of shaped, chrome exhaust tips.

Another new design feature in the second generation Touareg is the automatically opening and closing

tailgate that can be operated from inside the vehicle, at the tailgate itself or through a remote control on the fully redesigned key fob.

The Touareg will be available in nine different colors including five new colors: Cool Silver Metallic, Flint Gray

Metallic, Toffee Brown Metallic, Night Blue Metallic and Tungsten Silver Metallic (Hybrid only).

The V6 and TDI® Clean Diesel powertrains will be available in three different trims: “Sport,” “Lux” and

“Executive.” Each trim will come with one of three different wheels. The “Sport” trim will have the 18” Tacora alloy wheels, “Lux” trim will be equipped with 19” Everest wheels and the “Executive” trim will come with 20” Pikes Peak wheels. The Hybrid will only come in one trim, with 19” Everest alloy wheels. All Touaregs will come standard with all-season tires.

Engine and Transmission

In addition to the Volkswagen’s first Supercharged Touareg Hybrid, the vehicle is also available with a 3.0-

liter turbochargedV6 TDI® Clean Diesel engine, which offers class leading fuel economy (28 MPG hwy/19 MPG city EPA estimates), greater power versus a similarly-sized gasoline engine and super-clean 50 state legal emissions. A special DeNOx catalytic converter, augmented by a special injection system that sprays a synthetic urea-based solution (AdBlue) into the exhaust, helps reduce Nox emissions by up to 90 percent, and lets the engine meet the Tier 2, Bin 5/ULEV II standards imposed across all 50 U.S. states.

A 3.6-liter V6 FSI® gasoline engine comes standard with the 2011 model, providing smooth acceleration

and all around performance offering 23 MPG hwy/16 MPG city EPA estimates, which represents a combined 19% improvement over the previous model.

All Touareg models now come with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission. 7th and 8th gears are laid

out as fuel-efficient overdrive gears. The 8th gear reduces engine speed by 33 percent compared to 6th gear, which reduces fuel consumption and significantly lowers emissions.

The Touareg will continue its tradition of providing superior high-torque performance. The V6 engine will

provide the driver a maximum torque of 265 lbs.-ft. at 2,500 to 5,000 rpm while producing 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. The TDI provides an impressive maximum torque of 406 lbs.-ft. at 1,750 to 2,250 rpm while producing 225 horsepower at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm.

All Touareg models, regardless of the powertrain configuration, have a towing capacity of 7,700 lbs. when

equipped with the factory-installed tow package.

Interior

The Touareg’s interior has also been refined with a focus on comfort and functionality. Cabin noise has been

reduced compared to the previous model through optimized insulation and acoustics. The greater use of curves and further attention to details on the door and dash trim coincide with redesigned, available leather seating surfaces for five, and cross-stitching on all panels and surfaces. Both the front and rear passengers can enjoy greater legroom with the Touareg’s new overall dimensions and fully adjustable seats, while the rear seatback can be folded from a release in the luggage compartment, for more storage and convenience.

When looking up at the roof, drivers and passengers will enjoy the new optional panoramic sunroof which is a full 350% larger than the sunroof in the previous model. A ventilated, power release wind deflector eliminates turbulence and associated noise to help ensure a quiet drive even when the sunroof is open. The

sunroof is standard in the “Lux”, “Executive” and “Hybrid” trim lines.

A 7” display, located between the main gauges in the instrument cluster, provides the driver with the latest vehicle status information, including turn-by-turn navigation directions, information from the drive system in

the hybrid model, and more.

Standard and found only in the Touareg is Volkswagen’s new premium RNS850 touch screen radio-navigation system. It features a large 8-inch screen, with a DVD/CD player that has MP3 playback


capabilities and Satellite/FM/AM stereo, along with a 60GB hard drive with 18GB of space available to upload media. Located conveniently in the glovebox is access for iPod® or auxiliary input, SD cards, and a DVD drive. The navigation system can display maps and directions in a 3-D view, and highlights major landmarks to further assist when traveling.

In addition to navigation, the Touareg “Sport” comes standard with a multitude of premium interior features

including navigation with rearview camera, BiXenonTM headlights with LED daytime running lights, an 18” alloy wheel, power adjustable and heated front seats in V-Tex leatherette, Bluetooth® connectivity, Sirius Satellite Radio®, Climatronic® dual-zone A/C and silver metallic interior inlays with a black high-gloss center console and trim surrounds.

In addition to the “Sport” features, the “Lux” trim features a 19” alloy wheel, large two piece panoramic powered sunroof, 12-way power adjustable front seats and leather seating surfaces with driver memory, power lumbar and Burr Walnut interior inlays with a wood center console.

The “Executive” trim offers all Lux features along with a 20” alloy wheel, heated multifunction steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, keyless entry system with push-button start, rearview camera with Park Distance Control (PDC) and a Dynaudio® premium sound system.

Chassis and Suspension

The design changes in the all-new 2011 Touareg resulted in a reduction of approximately 350 pounds, from

the previous model, creating a more responsive and precise driving experience. The Touareg’s optimized running gear offers very good vibration control and ride comfort, a low roll angle, responsive handling and excellent dynamic stability.

The Touareg utilizes aluminum in its double wishbone suspension, which helped with reducing the weight of

the vehicle. The vehicles 4MOTION® all-wheel drive system is mated to a rear limited-slip Torsen differential. The pairing results in a 40:60 distribution of the propulsive force between the front and rear axles to improve the vehicles weight and efficiency while improving overall driving dynamics.

The steering of the new Touareg is configured as a standard speed-dependent hydraulic rack steering system with variable ratio. The ratio is more directly configured across the entire steering stroke compared to the previous model.

Active and Passive Safety

The 2011 Touareg contains an impressive number of standard active and passive safety features to help

keep the driver and passengers safe. Six airbags, including dual front units (dual-stage for the driver, single stage for the front passenger), thorax units for the driver and front passenger and Side Curtain Protection® for the front and rear outboard passengers, all are standard on the Touareg.

For the 2011 Touareg, Volkswagen developed an improved head restraint system. The whiplash-optimized head restraint (WOKS) rear impact protection system uses the contours and foam firmness in the backrest to help reduce relative movements of the torso and combines a patented shape of the head restraint

structure to minimize head rotation after contact.

The Touareg also includes the following safety programs and management systems for a smooth, poised ride through most any situation: Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Auto-Hold and

Hill Hold Assist and Volkswagen’s Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC).

The choice to include ESC standard on the Touareg and all other 2011 Volkswagen models, comes ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) mandate that by the 2012 model year, all

vehicles produced will need to include some form of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). According to NHTSA, having ESC in a vehicle results in 35 percent fewer single-vehicle crashes and 30 percent fewer single-vehicle fatalities in passenger cars. Volkswagen’s ESC compares the driver’s intended course with the vehicle’s actual direction. If a discrepancy is detected, ESC automatically brakes individual wheels and reduces engine power to help maintain directional control.

Roadside Assistance and Warranty


For added convenience, the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg includes 24-hour Roadside Assistance (third party

provider) for three years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first) as standard. Meanwhile, limited warranties found standard on all Touareg models are:

• Ten-year / 100,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty

• Three-year / 36,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty

• 12-year unlimited distance Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation

The Touareg, like the full line of 2011 Volkswagen models, is covered by the no-charge Carefree

Maintenance Program. Under this program, all scheduled maintenance, as described in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty – three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Additionally, the Touareg uses synthetic oil, which, when combined with state-of-the-art German engineering, eliminates the need for a 5,000 mile oil change, and allows owners to drive farther between scheduled oil changes.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of

Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Eos, Golf, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or www.media.vw.com to

learn more.


First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg

NOVEMBER 26, 2010

Review and photos by Greg Wilson

Photo Gallery:

2011 Volkswagen Touareg

Banff, Alberta – Last Monday night, the temperature in Banff dipped to

minus 34 Celsius. Early Tuesday morning, with a hint of surprise in his

voice, VW Canada PR Manager, Thomas Tetzlaff, announced to the

assembled auto writers that all the 2011 Touaregs that were parked outside

overnight, both gas and TDI diesel models, started with no problems, even

without block heaters (which apparently are optional).

Though some of us were grumbling that is was just too damn cold, we

quickly realized that the bone-chilling temperatures, and slippery ice-

covered roads and trails surrounding the Banff area were the perfect

opportunity to test just how well VW’s redesigned mid-sized SUV stood up

to the rigours of a Canadian winter. We had previously tested the new

Touareg last spring in the comparatively idyllic environs of Tuscany, but

here in the Great White North, we began to appreciate some of the features

we hadn’t used in Tuscany.

Starting with its revised lightweight 4Motion all-wheel drive system with a

Torsen limited slip centre differential which normally splits torque 40/60

front/rear but can vary this as conditions demand; driver-selectable “On

Road” and low range “Off Road” AWD settings; standard traction and

stability control; four disc brakes with ABS and Brake Assist; Hill Descent

Assist, Hill Climb Assist (in low range); a generous 22 cm of ground

clearance; and a 26 degree front-end off-road angle.

Touareg Comfortline models come with standard 18-inch all-season tires,

while Highline and Execline models have 19-inch all-season tires, or

optional 20-inch depending on the model. However, our test vehicles were

shod with snow-biting 20-inch Pirelli Scorpion winter tires provided by Pirelli

Canada just for this test.

To keep the driver and passengers warm and comfortable, the 2011

Touareg Comfortline comes with standard leatherette upholstery (leather in

Highline and Execline) with three-step seat heaters (optional rear seat

heaters), dual-zone automatic climate control with defogger button, heated

windshield washer jets, heated outside mirrors, rear defroster, rear wiper

with intermittent wipe setting, and rear washer. A heated steering wheel is

available on Execline models.

We also appreciated the 2011 Touareg’s roomier cabin. With its longer wheelbase and a wider body, the new Touareg seats four or

five adults in comfort – front and rear legroom and headroom is generous – and the split rear reclining seats slide forwards and

backwards independently to increase legroom or cargo room. Shorter adults will find the step-in height is a bit high, but once inside,

the standard eight-way power driver and passenger seats (with manual lumbar adjusters) are very comfortable, and the

2011 Volkswagen Touareg. Click image to enlarge


surroundings are luxurious. The quality and appearance of the interior materials is excellent but I would not recommend the light

beige seats and carpets as they will be hard to keep clean.

Just so you don’t get lost and/or bored in the wilderness, all Canadian

Touaregs come with a standard navigation system and an eight-inch colour

touch-screen with a 3D screen view, a 60-GB hard drive, SD card input, a

single CD/MP3/DVD player, and eight speakers. The system includes

Bluetooth phone connectivity, Sirius satellite radio (free three-month

subscription), and iPod interface. Accessory cables for USB and auxiliary

inputs are also available. There are also four 12-volt outlets, and a single

115V outlet. The centre screen can also display climate control functions,

and vehicle information such as a compass and altimeter. A separate,

smaller screen between the tachometer and speedometer displays vehicle

info such as average fuel consumption, distance to empty, radio station,

outside temperature, compass and tire pressure.

The carpeted cargo area, accessible by a lift up hatch with a power opening

and closing feature, is very roomy – cargo space behind the rear seats has

increased by 25 litres to 660 litres, and with both seatbacks folded down,

cargo space reaches 1,642 litres. The liftover height is high, though.

Motivation comes from a revised 280-hp 3.6-litre 24-valve V6 gas engine

with direct injection, or a 225-hp 24-valve 3.0-litre TDI (turbocharged direct

injection) diesel engine both mated to a new eight-speed automatic

transmission that replaces the previous six-speed. The new eight-speed

tranny features Sport mode for more aggressive shifts and Tiptronic mode

for manual shifting. According to VW, fuel economy has improved by more

than 16 per cent in gas models, now 12.3/8.8 L/100 km city/hwy – and by

almost nine per cent in diesel models, now 11.1/7.0 city/hwy, due to

improved engine technology, a reduction in vehicle weight, and the new transmission. The TDI can travel up to 1,200 km on a single

tank.

However, the engine idle stop feature that we previewed in Europe

apparently didn’t make it to Canada. The Touareg Hybrid model, which we

also previewed, will arrive in Canada in 2012, at the same time as the new

Jetta Hybrid.

We drove on a variety of road surfaces, from the dry, smooth paved

surfaces of the Trans Canada Highway, to the steep, ice-covered trails

around Kananaskis and Banff. On gravel roads covered in hard packed

snow that had been ploughed, the Touareg felt very stable and secure with

excellent tire and cornering grip – I was impressed with the Pirelli

Scorpion’s performance in the snow. Ice covered roads with a thin layer of

snow required a reduction in speed and more care when cornering, but

traction was still good and the Touareg’s independent suspension soaked

up the bumps while keeping the car level and controlled. The Touareg’s

standard “On Road” diff setting with variable front to rear torque distribution

is all that’s needed on slippery roads. The “Off Road” setting which locks up the centre differential, is only needed for steep hills or

deep snow at slower speeds. We didn’t see a hill steep enough to test the Hill Descent Assist and Hill Climb Assist, but the former

automatically maintains a constant speed when descending a steep hill, while the latter adjusts engine management software to

prevent damage to the transmission on steep ascents.




On the freeway, both gas and diesel engines rev at under 2,000 rpm at 100 km/h, and the Touareg’s cabin is well insulated from

engine and road noise. I was surprised at how quiet the Scorpion winter tires are on dry pavement. I was also surprised at how quiet

the 3.0-litre TDI diesel engine is, even while it’s idling. With 406 lb.-ft. of torque, the diesel is very responsive when a burst of speed

is needed, and its performance is quite satisfying. Its zero to 100 km/h acceleration time of 8.2 seconds is not far off the 3.6-litre

Touareg’s time of 7.7 seconds. In the past, Touareg TDI diesel models represented more than 50 per cent of all Touareg sales in

Canada, and VW expects the new Touareg TDI to be just as popular.

The 2011 Touareg’s manufacturer’s suggested retail prices have increased

by six or seven per cent over the previous model year, but adjusting for new

standard equipment (not to mention a complete redesign), the price works

out about the same, according to VW Canada’s Tetzlaff. The 2011 VW

Touareg 3.6L Comfortline is $48,440, Highline $53,190, and Execline

$58,185. 2011 Touareg 3.0 TDI models, which have a higher level of

standard equipment than gas models, are $53,190, $58,645 and $63,135

respectively.

All Comfortline and Highline models come with standard 10-spoke 18-inch

“Tacora” alloys, Execline 3.6L with five-spoke 19-inch “Everest” alloys, and

Execline TDI and all Sport Package models with five double-spoke “Pikes

Peak” alloys.

Over and above the base Comfortline’s standard features mentioned above,

the Highline gas model adds leather seats, 12-way power front seats with

power lumbar, a split centre slideable armrest, real burr-walnut trim, power

tailgate, panoramic sunroof with sunshade, and power rear backrest

release. TDI Highline models add a standard heated steering wheel, heated

rear seats, and keyless entry and start/stop.

Touareg Execline models, new for 2011, add 19-inch tires and alloys, bi-

Xenon headlights, a 620-watt Dynaudio stereo with 12 speakers, heated

rear seats and steering wheel, keyless entry and start, rear sunshades, park

distance control, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and rearview camera.

TDI Execline models add 20-inch tires and alloys, and a Sport suspension.

All Touaregs are available with an optional Sport Package ($2,525) that includes 20-inch tires and “Pikes Peak” alloy wheels, bi-

Xenon headlights, and Sport Suspension. A towing hitch is also available for $705. Comfortline models are offered with the optional

Panoramic sunroof ($1,800) that’s standard on Highline and Execline models.

2011 VW Touaregs competitors include the Acura MDX, Lexus RX350, Volvo XC90, and Infiniti FX, and maybe the Audi Q7.

Touareg TDI competitors are the Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec, BMW X5 xDrive 35d, and Lexus RX400h. Though VW is not a

luxury brand, the Touareg’s price, level of quality, and performance put it in to direct competition with luxury models rather than non-

luxury mid-sized SUVs like the Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9 and Honda Pilot.

VW Touaregs are built in the same assembly plant as the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 in Bratislava, Slovakia.



Motortrend.com thinks the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid “is a Home Run.”

We think it might be the Rookie of the Year, too.

October 27, 2010

Most automotive companies these days have picked a technology to help drivers reduce their fuel consumption.

Many of the Asian imports and American brands have trended towards hybrid technology, while German auto

stalwarts, like us here at Volkswagen, have gone with advanced clean diesel technology(we call it TDI® if you didn’t

know). Volkswagen loves clean diesel technology because it reduces emissions over older diesel engines, without

compromising the performance numbers that drivers want. However, we recognize that there’s not a single solution

when it comes to helping conserve our resources.

Enter the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, a supercharged, gas-electric beast that produces an astounding 375

horses and 425 pound-feet of torque. Its Volkswagen’s very first hybrid electric vehicle and though it’s a rookie, we

think it has a chance to be the year’s MVP.

Motortrend.com’s Scott Evans had the opportunity to test-drive the 2011 Touareg Hybrid and came away impressed,

calling the vehicle a big step forward for the brand, and giving particular praise to the performance, expected fuel-

economy, interior and navigation system.

With traditional gasoline, TDI and Hybrid options, we’re especially proud of the 2011 Touareg. It feels like a game

changer, to us.

*The Touareg Hybrid is available in the U.S. in very limited quantities and only at participating Volkswagen dealers.


First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg lightens up while getting serious by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Mar 15th 2010 at 11:58AM

2011 Volkswagen Touareg – Click above for high-res image gallery

The outgoing Volkswagen Touareg range has always lived on the wrong side of the tracks in America. It was a big,

expensive Volkswagen. Notice that we can't just say it was a big, expensive vehicle, because those adjectives are

almost as much the norm as anything else – we must qualify those descriptors with the word "Volkswagen." And we

can't help but think that's part of the reason this go-almost-anywhere SUV never really made a splash anywhere in

the U.S. except in puddles.

The new 2011 Touareg is roomier, more powerful, more efficient and lighter. Much lighter. That's how we like our

VWs. And now it comes in hybrid form. We spent a few hours in one to see what a Touareg reset looks like. Our first

impressions: So good, this is what the first Touareg should have been like. Follow the jump for the story.

Car buying is a little different in Europe than it is in America. Consumers take home an order sheet and lovingly

choose each option, then submit it to a dealer and wait for weeks for their car to be built. In America, we show up at a

dealer lot and expect to get the ride we want right now.

This is one of the reasons that the current Touareg endured a stiff sales climate. With something like 170 build

combinations, potential buyers had lottery-like chances of finding the one they wanted on any given day. Play around

with the configurator on the VW site and you'll see that even wheel choices will change your interior option selections.


Of course, there has also been the matter of price. Touaregs aren't cheap – again, "for Volkswagens." A 2010

Touareg V6 FSI starts at $40,850, the V6 TDI diesel at $44,350. Add the technology package to the cheaper model to

get DVD navigation and you are at $46,850. From there, $50,000 is just a whisper away. VW said buyers were cross

shopping the GMC Acadia, and it maxes out at about $47,000 if you throw everything possible at the top-of-the-line

SLT2, a vehicle that may be less capable off-road, but it's also significantly larger than the Touareg and seats eight.

The Acura MDX is priced similarly to the VW, is a seven-seater and gets about the same miles per gallon... but it has

a bit more aspirational clout.

And, of course, there was also the size and the avoirdupois. It isn't small, especially for a dedicated five-seater, and

while the Touareg's 4XMOTION air suspension setup could get you just about anywhere – as an eye-opening trip to

Moab showed us a couple of years ago – you paid for it in heft and a heavy tiller. As you might have reasonably

surmised, folks also shopping Acadias and MDXs aren't usually trying to conquer Hell's Revenge – they wanted to

get to the cabin or the after-school sports practice or grandma's house in one piece and a little bit of style. And they

don't want to scratch their Galapagos paint while doing it.

When it comes to the raw truths presented by numbers, while 500,000 Touareg and Touareg2 models were sold

worldwide, Americans didn't make a good showing as part of that total.

In true Men in Black style, though, you can wipe those memories clean. The old Touareg is gone, and the new one is

nothing like it. No, really, nothing. When we asked what was new, we were told "Everything." When we asked for

clarification, just to make sure we understood, David Sweet, the general manager for marketing in the U.S., said "It's

an entirely new vehicle." Silently, we were sure he added, "What part of the word 'everything' didn't you understand?"

Along with that, the new Touareg's attitude changes more than the vehicle, at least as far as the U.S. is concerned.

We don't get most of the high-tech features in this new SUV. A sample of blacked out menu options includes:


• Dynamic Light Assist: camera-based continuous main beam headlight "sees" oncoming traffic and selectively dims

and adjusts the direction of each main beam headlight to prevent other drivers, oncoming and in the same direction,

from suffering glare. U.S. regulations don't allow the technology.

• Side Assist: a blind-spot warning system that also detects the closing speed of cars approaching you. Not coming

because it's expensive and was developed for higher, Autobahn-like closing speeds, not American highways.

• Lane Assist: takes note of the lane you're in, and if you begin to stray sends a mild vibration through the steering

wheel. Deemed not cost-effective for American buyers.

• Start/stop on the non-hybrid Touaregs: the tech doesn't count toward the EPA cycle, so VW didn't think it fair to

charge for something that has no benefit they could point to on paper.

• Cross Traffic view camera: lets the driver see 90 degrees to the left and right at points located at the very front and

rear of the Touareg – i.e. "around the corner." Felt to be more suited to pulling out into narrow European lanes than

American driving situations.

• 334-horsepower, 599 pound-feet V8 TDI that replaces the V10 TDI. We get the V6 FSI, V6 TDI and Hybrid.

• 4XMotion: the full-fat four-wheel-drive system with air suspension has been replaced by VW's Torsen limited-slip

differential called 4Motion which is lighter and less expensive. It also can't take you as many places as the 4XMotion,

but VW realized no one in the U.S. was using their Touaregs as Unimogs.

• Automatic Cruise Control: the same kind of system filtering its way through all kinds of luxury cars, this version

works even in stop-and-go traffic. Again, cost is the problem.

So what's left? A lighter, nicer, curvier and comparatively less expensive SUV that, frankly, is what the Touareg

should have been the first time around.

We know we've discussed the size thing, so we'll admit right now that the new Touareg is larger. It gets about an

inch-and-a-half longer and a half-inch wider, with the front track increased just a hair and the rear track growing by

about half an inch as well. It sits a half-inch lower, the lowest SUV in the class other than its sister, the new Porsche

Cayenne.


The additional size outside and the 1.5-inch longer wheelbase translates into more roominess inside, with anywhere

from 1.75 inches to 2.7 inches more elbow, shoulder and knee room. There is more room for cargo as well,

something the previous Touareg didn't exactly lack.

Volkswagen has pulled off this enlargement the right way, though. The new Touareg is about 400 poundslighter than

the last, due to the use of aluminum and high-strength steel, tailored blanks and lighter sound insulation. And yes,

that includes the Hybrid. Serious weight loss came from the 4Motion Torsion limited-slip diff setup replacing the

4XMotion air suspension and center and rear differentials. In a case of VW designing a vehicle to be used the way

people actually drive it, the hardcore 4XMotion can be ordered as part of a Terrain Tech package, but the 4Motion

system alone is left to handle the speed bumps and gravel access roads the average Touareg will find its greatest

challenge.

Making sure you'll never be left out in the cold, though, the 4MOTION system has electronic differential locks at all

four wheels, 31 degrees of climbing angle and an off-road driving program that tunes the ABS, EDS and ASR for off-

road duty, activates Hill Descent Assist and adjusts the automatic gearshift points.


Should you need more – and should you not live in American, as VW has clarified that we won't get it – the Terrain

Tech package uses a familiar rotary switch to set the system to one of five levels: on-road; off-road, which adds

automatic control of the mechanical locks; low, which adds reduced gearing, higher shift points and no automatic

upshift in manual mode; a fourth mode that locks the center diff; and a fifth mode that locks the rear diff.

The curb weight of the European Touareg V6 FSI is 4,477 pounds, quite a drop from the portly 5,086 pounds of the

outgoing U.S. model. Ours has a bit more standard equipment and so has a higher base curb weight, but the loss is

clearly there and dramatic. The Euro V6 TDI is 4,618 pounds, and the Hybrid is 4,928 pounds.

In the looks department, we feel that this new Touareg is also hugely superior to the outgoing model. We enjoyed the

previous Touareg even as we had no problem admitting it appeared to have been squeezed out of a tube. This

Touareg has replaced mere brawn with curves and shoulders and scallops, so even though it's bigger, it looks

smaller, sleeker and vastly more sporty. The body-colored panels and shaped, integrated exhaust tips only add to the

complete picture.

We do think the facial treatment could have been given a special detail or two – something more prominent than the

headlights and U-shaped line of LEDs, that is – instead of having an enlarged version of the New Corporate VW front.

But that's just us. Ultimately, no matter how you take it in, the new Touareg looks like one would expect a VW SUV to

look.


Perhaps the designers saved those curves no longer needed up front for the interior. It is convex and concave all

over and truly nicer, with cross-stitching accenting the new hills and valleys. The redesigned front seats are comfy

going the distance, the transmission tunnel has been reshaped to provide more legroom and the center console

moved forward to provide more support. Ensconced on the new back bench with the front seats placed where we had

plenty of room, there remained more than two inches between our legs and the front seats. The back bench also

slides six inches fore-and-aft and reclines a few degrees.

The 6.5-inch touchscreen DVD system, which will be standard in the U.S., is easy to navigate and has a 3-D view

with major landmarks built in. A 60-GB hard drive has 18 GB set aside for you to download your media. It works in

conjunction with the seven-inch, 15:9 aspect ratio multifunction display in the dash, between the gauges. Color and

brightness for both screens was excellent in every light condition we encountered.


In fact, the new Touareg is replete with premium touches like an electronic parking brake, an electronic engine oil

level display that replaces the dipstick, a start-stop button on the keyless entry model and a key that can be turned

right or left to start the car on all models, an electronic tailgate that can be programmed to open to a preset height (to

avoid scraping in low-hanging garages), ambiance lighting in the footwells and doors, four Area View cameras that

provide a 360-degree view around the car, a panorama sunroof, park distance control (PDC), and the aforementioned

bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.

Yet the full story isn't all "more" with this car, "less" and "fewer" play parts as well and not just concerning weight.

There will be fewer option choices. On the V6 FSI and TDI there are three build choices. Base includes bi-xenon and

LED driving lights, 18-inch wheels, DVD navigation and rearview camera, and 12-way power driver and passenger

seats. The next level adds Vienna Leather, memory seats, the panoramic sunroof, wood trim and 19-inch wheels.

The top of the peak model throws in the 12-speaker, 620-watt Dynaudio system; PDC; Smart Key; heated rear seats

and steering wheel and 20-inch wheels. The Hybrid will be available only in that top trim level, albeit riding on 19-inch

wheels wearing all-season low-resistance tires. Throw in the Terrain and Tow packages, and Volkswagen has

reduced build options from more than 170 to about 20.

The first of those options, and the one that will surely be the least expensive when VW announces pricing, is the V6

FSI. More efficient than the current Touareg2 V6 FSI, the direct-injection lump will have 275 horsepower and 265

pound-feet. The one above that will be the BlueMotion V6 TDI, a common-rail turbodiesel with 236 hp and 405

pound-feet that comes on from 2,000 rpm. They both do the 0-to-62-mph run in 7.8 seconds.


In Europe, those engines will get Stop-Start, but we won't. We will, however, get the eight-speed automatic

transmission that is now standard throughout the range. The gearbox, which shifts faster than the current six-speeder

and has a 20-percent larger spread, uses the top two gears as long-distance fuel-consumption-reducing ratios. At 80

mph the tach rests at just 2,200 rpm. Volkswagen hasn't released EPA cycle numbers yet, but you can expect

something better than the 14 city/20 highway miles per gallon of the VR6 FSI and 18/25 of the current V6 TDI

models.

It is the Hybrid that gets the marquee space, though. It mates a supercharged, direct-injection V6 TSI with 333

horsepower and 324 lb-ft of torque to a Hybrid Module powered by a nickel metal-hydride battery pack in what would

be the spare wheel recess under the cargo area. The 288-volt battery pack with 240 individual cells has a peak

output of 38 kW. It can propel the Touareg on electric power alone for about a 1.5 miles at speeds up to 32 mph.

Stomp on the gas from a standstill and you get to 62 in 6.5 seconds because the combined power numbers jump to

375 hp and 428 lb.-ft.

The heart of the parallel hybrid system is the 121-pound, 15-inch wide circular Hybrid Module, which has a 47-hp

electric motor and a disengagement clutch. Essentially what it does is act to engage or disengage the ICE and

electric motor from each other or the drivetrain. As in every other hybrid, you can have just the V6 in use or just

electricity or both, but by being able to disengage the electric motor completely, VW has kept the Touareg's off-road

and towing performance. The 7,500-pound towing capacity – more than a GMC Sierra Hybrid and the same for all

versions of the Touareg – wouldn't be possible if you couldn't set the electric motor entirely aside.


Speaking of which, that is what also enables the Touareg to "sail." When the engine isn't needed to help move the

vehicle, it is disengaged from the transmission. When you are coasting down a hill, for instance, the disengagement

clutch in the Hybrid Module unhooks the V6, the engine is shut off and the tachometer falls to zero. You notice you

coast a lot further as well because there's no engine torque to drag on the driveline. This "sailing" can be done up to

100 mph.

How do they go? Don't let the 7.8-second time and the gap between the traditional and Hybrid version throw you off –

none of them are slow and even the base engine, the V6 FSI, delivers fine motoring pleasure. Sure, it doesn't bolt

from the line like the Hybrid, but on the move, its pickup, aided by the quick-shifting and additional cogs of the eight-

speed automatic, never let a driver down. The diesel is a bit more peppy, but it is the Hybrid that gets moving most

quickly when you sound the klaxon.

With the loss of the air suspension – which is tied to the 4XMotion and so won't be on any Touareg without the

Terrain Tech package – road feel returns to the level of a middle-premium SUV. Cornering isn't table flat, potholes

knock a bit louder, and bad roads make a bit more fuss, but it is all still premium. The engineers have done a good

job letting you feel the loss of that 500 pounds, though – the cargo-ship stolidity of the current model is gone,

replaced by a more capable, more nimble vehicle that offers more of everything all around. The new Touareg will

show itself well when cross-shopped with VW's target competition.


The Hybrid's features like stop-start and coasting were superb. As you brake to stop for a light, the engine shuts

down and you roll to a stop on electric power. All systems are maintained, so power steering, brake boosting and the

like remain on call. When you take your foot off the brake to pull away, you can roll away on electric power alone if

you don't ask for a lot of gumption. If you need to get going right now, peak electric power comes in to move the car

the first meter while the ICE comes on, silently, and spools up to take over on-the-go. It exhibits all the refinement you

could eve want in such a system, on top of which you can do the off-road thing and pull an enormous trailer.

If Volkswagen prices the Touareg right when it hits the market later this year – and the officials in attendance gave

every indication that pricing is a tied-for-first priority – then they won't need to worry about selling just 500,000 of

these new Touaregs over its product life cycle. Provided VW can right the Touareg's troubled reliability legacy with

this new model, we expect more Yankees will show up for this party and wouldn't even be surprised if enough

showed up to request an American-sized slice of the sales pie.


2011 Volkswagen Touareg - Driving Impressions All-new VW Touareg will be first in the U.S. to offer a diesel, gasoline, or hybrid drivetrain. By Shaun Bailey March 8, 2010

Slideshow >> Best Driving Impressions >>

Shortly after the Geneva Auto Show we had the opportunity to drive Volkswagen’s new 2011 Touareg in Florence,

Italy. The big news is the Touareg Hybrid, but it’s not the only thing new. First off there’s the new look. The front

end of the new 2011 Touareg has adopted the new VW corporate face. It’s manly, but not aggressive. It fits the

Touareg nicely making it look more like a large Golf.

Up close, however, there is no mistaking the Touareg for the large SUV it is. And it is larger, both slightly longer

(1.6 in.) and wider (0.5 in.) than the previous generation while being a tad lower (0.7 in.). The extra length is

mostly in the wheelbase, and this improves the rear seat leg room. The sliding rear seat is more spacious than

before, still with seating for five.

Inside, you’ll see a VW that rivals Audi’s interior design, with high quality soft materials, satin chrome surrounds

and fine wood inlays. It’s a step above the Passat CC, and I dare say the Phaeton as well.

The Touareg has a new key fob. Gone is the flip-out key. Instead, the entire fob, about half the size of a modern

cell phone, is inserted into a slot on the dash—where a key would normally go. And then the entire key is twisted

to start. It’s an old idea, new again.

The effect of this “key” twist varies with powertrain option. The base model with its 3.6-liter V-6 (aka the “VR6”)

starts up with a muted growl. The 3.0-liter V-6 TDI makes a muted clatter, while the Hybrid simply lights up the

dash. All three of these powertrains are coming to the U.S. The one that isn’t is the V-8 TDI.

Replacing the V-8 in the lineup is VW’s first Hybrid. A supercharged V-6, the same from Audi’s S4, is mated to 47-

hp electric motor. The combined output is good for 375 hp and 425 lb.-ft. torque. A clutch allows the electric motor

to decouple from the engine, thus providing pure electric power when needed. When driving the hybrid it was very

common for the engine to decouple and find the Touareg driving silently in pure electric. The system is very

aggressive at shutting off the engine, but when needed a punch of the gas pedal brings the supercharged V-6 to

life. Power aplenty is on tap in an instant. If there was anything quirky about the Hybrid, it’s this: The brake pedal

felt a bit too light for smooth actuation. In comparison to other hybrids, the VW system seems aimed at

maximizing engine-off time, the result being a driving experience that reminds you you’re in something

mechanically unique. In the U.S. market, only the Touareg Hybrid will have the fuel-saving start/stop feature.

Every Touareg model has an 8-speed automatic transmission, and is rated to tow 7700 pounds. Even the Hybrid.

All-wheel drive is standard, a simplified variant of 4Motion. And in an effort to save fuel the Touareg has gone on a

diet, weighing on average about 400 lb. less than the outgoing model.

We’ll have to wait until the fall for final specifications on fuel efficiency and cost, but expect the Hybrid to cost

about $51,000, whereas the venerable VR6 powered model will be priced around $41,000. The V-6 TDI, with its

Hybrid like fuel economy, will start at around $45,000. As good as the Hybrid is, isn’t the TDI the best bang for the

buck? We’ll have to wait and see when the EPA test results are in.


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