Volkswagen have revealed the next generation of its Touareg SUV today. The company is calling it the most technically innovative vehicle in the VW’s existence owing to state of the art fuel efficient engines, higher passive and active safety features and all this with lower weight when compared to the outgoing Touareg.
Envisioned as a more modern, capable, aerodynamic, lighter and fuel efficient off-road capable SUV, the company has worked hard not make any compromises anywhere. An instance of this dedication is the weight which is a killer on any automobile, is down by a massive 208 kilograms for the base variant on the new Touareg while at the same time torsional rigidity has been increased by 5%! To improve fuel efficiency VW has lowered the stance to reduce drag and worked on the Cd. The final step in reducing consumption was an 8-Speed automatic transmission which comes standard on all engines – a segment first! In addition the V6 engined version also come with STOP&START system to further reduce the fuel consumption.
The base engine is a 3.0 Litre V6 turbo diesel which develops a maximum of 238 bhp and 405 lb-ft of maximum torque. The engine when coupled with the standard 8-Speed automatic transmission delivers a staggering 38.1 mpg (claimed) in the European driving cycle. The range topping V10 diesel powerhouse has been discontinued to make way for the new 4.2 Litre V8 TDi with a healthy 337 bhp and an earth moving 590 lb-ft of torque and even this engine capable of delivering 31 mpg on the combined cycle! The peformance figures are equally eye popping with o-100 kph sprint time of just 6 seconds and a electrically limited top speed of 155 mph!
The other powertrain option is a hybrid, a first for the Touareg, and comes with a 3.3 Litre supercharged V6 with 329 bhp mated to a 46 bhp electric motor. The combined peak power output stands at 375 bhp with 428 lb-ft of torque enabling a 0-100 kph sprint time of 6.5 seconds and combined cycle fuel efficiency of 34.4 mpg. VW says that new Touareg will be capable of accelerating to 30 mph without any help from the gasoline engine in Pure EV mode.
Jump over for more details, image gallery and the press release.
Source: leftlanenews.com via volkswagen
Reading through the above paragraphs, you would be forgiven for thinking that VW have forgotten the off-road part but fortunately they have not. The company will have a special model called the “Escape” with the “Terrain Tech Pack” for the off road enthusiasts. The Escape version will swap the 8-speed automatic transmission for a lower geared 6-speed automatic with a more rugged transfer case designed for off roading, front and rear 100 percent locking differentials 4XMOTION mated to the 3.0 Litre TDi engine. Driver can easily select the “On-Road”, “Off-Road” and “Low” settings via a rotary control knob depending on the type of terrain being traversed.
Safety and comfort features include push button parking brake, electrically operable tailgate via RF remote control integrated in the key, largest panoramic sunroof on an SUV, Area view which uses four strategically mounted cameras to detect surroundings, nine airbags (yes 9!), Lane Assist, Side Assist which warns of vehicles approaching from the rear when changing lanes, Adaptive cruise control with integrated Front Assist which can brake in an emergency and tensions the seatbelts as a precautionary measure, Bi-Xenon headlights with Dynamic light assist and Adaptive roll compensation so thatthe Touareg always stays on the road.
Volkswagen have sold 500,000 first generation Touaregs, a number which the company hopes will only increase with the new version. The new Touareg will be available at dealers by April 2010.
Image Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
Press Release
Volkswagen is unveiling the completely redeveloped Volkswagen Touareg as a world premiere. It is the most technically innovative “VW” since the brand has been in existence. This Volkswagen Touareg is reinterpreting the fascinating multipurpose SUV idea in a contemporary way – thanks to a range of engines that are nearly 20 percent more fuel efficient and a large variety of new assistance and safety systems. The VW Touareg will also be the first and only off-roader in Europe by a German car maker to be available in a hybrid version too. It sets standards among fully off-road capable SUVs with petrol engines that have a fuel consumption value of just 8.2 litres fuel per 100 kilometres. The Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid can be driven up to 50 km/h in purely electric mode – emissions-free. Among the diesel engines, the Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI with 7.4 litre combined fuel consumption now posts the best value in the segment of genuine SUVs. Both versions, the VW Touareg Hybrid and V6 TDI, are the most fuel efficient petrol and diesel SUVs ever built in Europe in this large vehicle class.
New era SUV – lighter, more aerodynamic and fuel efficient
As has already been accomplished on the globally successful, smaller Tiguan, Volkswagen is systematically striving for sustainability on the new Touareg too. The first precondition was met: The SUV was lightened by 208 kilograms in the base version! A quantum leap. Yet, the body has five percent greater torsional rigidity, which makes it the leader in its competitive class. A second precondition was met as well: Designers attained a significantly improved Cd value. Along with aerodynamic refinement efforts, another factor at work here is that this Volkswagen Touareg is built lower to the ground than the previous model. Together with front end styling based on the new Volkswagen design DNA, this results in a smaller frontal area. The third precondition: All engines, now offered with a standard 8-speed automatic transmission – a first in this market segment – demonstrate significant fuel economy advantages over the previous model; in some cases the advantage is far greater than two litres per 100 kilometres.
SUV for all trails – All-wheel drive in two versions
Also modified in pursuit of reduced fuel consumption was the standard all-wheel drive. In the base version (“4Motion”), all new generation VW Touaregs have all-wheel drive with Torsen limited-slip differential (4MOTION; climbing ability: 31 degrees). Like the Tiguan Track & Field, the VW Touareg also has an “Off-road driving programme”, which – at the press of a button – tunes the ABS, EDS and ASR for off-road duty, activates Hill Descent Assist and adjusts the automatic gearshift points.
Instead of a Torsen differential, the V6 TDI can be ordered with an optional “Terrain Tech Packet” that has an even more rugged transfer case designed for off-road duty. It includes reduction gearing and centre and rear differentials, each with up to 100 percent locking (4XMOTION; climbing ability: 45 degrees). Similar to the first generation Volkswagen Touareg, this version also has a rotary switch the driver now uses to adapt the car to specific duty conditions over five levels: 1. “On-Road”; 2. “Off-Road” (like “Off-road driving programme” plus automatic control of the mechanical locks); 3. Low (like “Off-road” plus activation of reduced gearing, higher shift points, no automatic upshift in manual mode); 4. Addition of centre differential lock; 5. Addition of rear differential lock. Equipped like this, the Volkswagen Touareg can conquer any terrain on Earth.
SUV for everyday driving – more space, more innovations
Volkswagen has not only made the new VW Touareg lighter, more fuel efficient and an agile performer; it has also made it into an even more versatile, all-round vehicle. The new interior was made more functional, the seats more comfortable and leg room in the rear is larger. Now the rear bench seat has 160 millimetres in longitudinal adjustment, and the backrest angle can be adjusted. Electrically unlatched at the press of a button as an option, it folds down in seconds and frees up 1,642 litres of cargo space. Already standard equipment in the base version is a radio-CD and info system, which is intuitively controlled over a 6.5-inch touch-screen.
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). As an option, the tailgate can be opened and closed by a RF remote control unit integrated in the car key. The largest panoramic sunroof of all SUVs provides for light even on overcast days. The innovative “Area View” utilises four cameras to detect the Volkswagen Touareg’s surroundings and this enhances safety. Also offering protection are up to nine airbags. Lane Assist ensures 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) with integrated Front Assist can brake to a stop in an emergency and tension the seatbelts as a precautionary measure. Bi-Xenon headlights with Dynamic Light Assist perceive oncoming traffic and adjust the light beam to eliminate unwanted glare, and adaptive roll compensation ensures that the Volkswagen Touareg sits solidly on the street. For the first time, there will be special features on the new Touareg under the new “Exclusive” badge from Volkswagen Individual. Options that can be ordered include 19-inch alloy wheels (“Girona” type), fine wood inserts (“Olive Ash”) and a leather interior (“Nappa”) in the two-colour combinations “Dark Burgundy / Titan Black” or “Pepper Beige / Titan Black”.
Volkswagen Touareg – the best of two worlds
About 500,000 car drivers chose to buy the first generation of the SUV. It is a luxury sport utility vehicle that offers a high level of comfort, sporty driving properties, avant-garde styling, excellent quality and unlimited expedition capabilities – essentially the best of the passenger car and off-road worlds unified in one concept. This is now being followed up by the new VW Touareg – a high-end and versatile all-round vehicle that brings these two worlds together even more perfectly. The Volkswagen Touareg will already be available at dealers in April 2010.
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