Volkswagen unveils facelift Touareg

Volkswagen celebrates 10 years of Touraeg by launching Special Edition in U.S

Volkswagen Touareg Review by Expert

The mid-sized crossover Volkswagen Touareg has been doing rounds since 2002. Named after ‘Tuareg people’, a group in North Africa, five-seater Touareg is a sought out vehicle. Co-built by Porsche, Volkswagen Touareg is made on PL71 platform on which sister SUVs like Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne are also built. In global arena, VW Touareg also holds the title of pulling a Boeing747.  

In 2012, the company launched new Volkswagen Touareg with 245 PS-550 Nm-3.0 litre-V6 diesel engine. The new model has higher ground clearance and better off-road features. The new SUV with all new platform was on display in Auto Expo, however, the company took it long to make it available in the market. Volkswagen’s only SUV in India now does not come with mechanical locking rear diff and low ratio, but still manages to pull off really well on off-road terrains. With a neat, precise and more mature look, the new Touareg has shed off a lot of visceral aggression. The twin slat chrome grille and the headlamps speak loads about the Volkswagen’s new design philosophy. A chrome strip at the door base looks like that of Porsche Cayenne. Flared wheel arches and roof spoiler, and a strip of chrome yet again but this time on the base of boot lid are the highlights of rear profile on facelifted Touareg.

The Touareg has sprung up insignificantly larger; it’s now 41mm more in length and 12mm more in width but 15mm less in height for that grounded look. The kerb weight too has been reduced to about 200 kgs and that’s a plus point in the new version. A 6.5 inch touchscreen on the central console, beige leather seats, comfortable ambience and wooden dashboard make things interesting. Air suspension, damper settings, and driving modes can be selected by the driver with buttons on the extended central console that lies on the floor (behind the gearbox). Luggage space of upto 1642 litres lets you keep a lot of bags on long drives with seats folded. All in all, if you are a Volkswagen fan and looking for comfort with some off-roading capabilities, this SUV has some potential.

Volkswagen Touareg Mileage and fuel efficiency

Mileage of 8.9 kmpl on city roads and about 14.1 kmpl on highways can be expected out of this mule. Volkswagen Touareg is a wonderful SUV with loads of high-tech features and a large engine under the hood. The engine has a capacity of 3 litres and displaces 2967 cc. Turbocharger engine has direct injection fuel technology for the 6 cylinders arranged in V configuration. This configuration is very effective in bringing about better fuel efficiency. An 8-speed automatic Aisin transmission helps power to be transferred to all the four wheels. Since the kerb weight has significantly reduced in the new Volkswagen Touareg, mileage figures have gone up and so is the torsional rigidity.
 
 

Volkswagen Touareg Models and features

Volkswagen Touareg Engine, power and performance

The sad part on the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg priced extensively high, is the lack of paddle shifters. However, while you are speeding high, a common activity with off-roaders, engine will render the best output and beat the best of SUVs in terms of performance. New Volkswagen Touareg, may suffer from the lack of brand image in front of Audi Q7 – a more known and popular brand among Indians, however no one can deny the fact that the former is 10 kmph faster, 2.23 seconds quicker and 3.1 kmpl more frugal than the latter.   

 

Volkswagen Touareg Pick up and acceleration

Volkswagen Touareg Interiors and features

Not just the back, but even your feet will be comforted with carpet floor mats at front and rear. The front seats come with adjustable headrests with adjustments longitudinally and height wise. The front seats themselves can be adjusted in 14 different ways to find the most comfortable driving position. There comes a deluxe Multi Functional Display is the SUV which falls directly in the driver’s sight. An RCD 500 player with MP3 and MP4 compatibility along with a 6-CD changer transmits sound into beats through 8 great quality speakers. MEDIA IN with USB port and Aux-in connectivity also satisfy a Mozart’s desire in Touareg. Not just that, you mobile phone gets easily connected to the vehicle’s Bluetooth system through voice commands. Now call people or answer an incoming call by just saying a word. Interior wise, new Volkswagen Touareg is one of the finest SUV on the market. Driver and co-passenger can adjust the temperature separately on the 4 zone electronic climate control AC.

The central console in done with Ornamental wood and a tray sits nicely on the dashboard with a cover on it. Two cup holders are also provided so that your drinks do not get spilled the cabin. Dual sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors take your dressing room along with you, no matter how far you are from home. Moreover, sun rays can be shooed off easily! The armrest for front seats is a two-piece entity that is movable and comes with storage compartment. Footwell lamps and reading lights are provided for front and rear seats separately so that each one enjoys his/her share of convenience.  

Volkswagen Touareg Exterior and features

The on cum off-roader is ready for adventurous rides at all times – be it the hilly terrains of Himalayas, the sandy dunes of Thar desert or the rocky areas in Deccan. As you take up your dream journey in the vehicle, fog lamps will ensure to lighten up your path, no matter how unclear the weather is. Front fog lamps with static bending lights render ultimate illumination. Protruding electric Outside Rear View Mirror with a black stalk appears to be a major highlight when you see the SUV from front. The aspherical door mirror on the driver side and the other on the co-driver side can be operated, folded and heated from inside itself and present a clear back view. Moreover, the Bi-Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights and static cornering function do not stay behind in gathering the limelight.

The action-packed Volkswagen Touareg exteriors reach the next level with a panoramic sunroof. The electronically operated sliding sunroof from inside can also be closed from outside by pressing a button. The sunroof is neatly flanked by sturdy roof rails. Now strap up the heftiest of luggage bags on top of your Touareg with the help of supporting roof rails and when the rood is empty, they better work as aerodynamic features for the vehicle. When viewed in profile, Volkswagen Touareg scores high points because of the muscular 18 inch alloy wheels. The scintillating Volkswagen logo sits neatly in the centre of the wheel and exudes confidence of the brand while rotating. Loads of chrome mouldings are present on the side windows and doors making it look class apart. The off-roading adventures do not harm the elegant upper body of VW’s SUV as the car maker has installed a skid plate upfront and black protective claddings around the body. At the rear rectangular chrome plated tail pipes and beautifully designed tail lamps with LED take away the cake.

Driving and Handling of Volkswagen Touareg

Safety features in Volkswagen Touareg

This was all about braking but the cabin is also equipped with driver and passenger airbags, side airbags in the front with curtain airbags for front and rear passengers which open up in case of crash or impact. The front passenger airbag can also be deactivated as per your choice. The passive safety is also provided by seat belts with pretensioner which is adjustable according to the person’s height. The SUV also has 3 point rear seat belts and reminds everyone of wearing their seat belts. The rear doors can be child-locked which is operable only electrically. Not to forget, the engine can be started with only one key specified for the vehicle and the engine would get locked if someone tries to unlock the engine with a wrong or illegal key. The sense of relaxation automatically comes when someone is so secure and safe in a car.
 
 

Volkswagen Touareg Accessories

Volkswagen Touareg Conclusion

There are some SUVs which are powerful off-roaders and there are some which have car like handling but offer good space inside and there are yet others which are luxurious and elegant. Volkswagen Touareg is the combination of all. Not just you get a beating 3.0 litre motor and 8 speed automatic transmission betting odds but you also get premium leather upholstery and comfort like electrically adjustable lumbar support for front seats, that renders a spa-like feeling. Safety features transcends normal ones like keyless locking and starting system, park distance control or regenerative braking. Sunroof likes you to enjoy the weather or pours some sunshine in the cabin while auto-dimming and memory function on driver side exterior mirror speaks of the technological prowess. Volkswagen greener engines are already very famous for their efficiency and cleaner emissions. It meets head on with Mercedes-Benz M Class and Audi Q7 (from the sister company) in SUV market of India. The SUV, from the stables of German car maker, is the master of odd terrains and definitely fares well on the tarmac.