Volkswagen has finally taken the wraps off the third-generation Touareg SUV. The German carmaker calls the new Touareg the “biggest leap forward” in the history of the SUV, as they attempt to push their flagship model further into premium territory. The new-gen SUV, unveiled in Beijing, has been redesigned with new technology, road-focused styling and a revamped interior that is dominated by VW’s new Innovision Cockpit.
The new Touareg will come with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine generating 278hp and 599Nm of torque. A second 3.0-litre V6 diesel making 225hp and 500Nm of torque will follow later in the year, as will a 3.0 V6 petrol with 330hp and 450Nm of torque.
In some international markets like China, the Touareg range will also include a 357hp plug-in hybrid that will arrive in late 2019. That variant is likely to go on sale in Europe, although no date has been set. A 409hp/900Nm 4.0 V8 diesel will be offered in some markets, likely including the UK, from late 2018.
All of the engine options are powered through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with standard all-wheel drive featuring a centre differential lock, with five standard and four optional drive modes.
To aid driving dynamic, the Touareg features electromechanical active roll compensation, which adjusts the anti-roll bars to smooth the ride when cornering. It also has air suspension to boost ride, and intelligent all-wheel steering to aid handling.
The new Touareg is built on the same VW Group MLB platform as the latest Porsche Cayenne, the only exterior part the two now share is the front windscreen. It is wider and longer than its predecessor but falls a bit short in height.
The dashboard is built around VW’s new Innovision Cockpit, which merges a 15-inch infotainment touchscreen with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The customisable infotainment screen also controls features such as smartphone integration, air conditioning and seat massage functions, while analogue controls remain for the volume and other frequently used switches. Standard equipment includes LED lighting all round, multi-coloured interior LED lighting and a 1,270mm long sliding panoramic roof. There is no news on the new Touareg’s India launch as of now.
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