Volkswagen Touareg R

The third-generation Volkswagen Touareg crossover SUV has gained the long awaited R version and this high performance version tries to evoke memories of the legendary R50 of the past in a different kind of way.

The Touareg R, priced at 86,850 Euros plus additional costs, is a whole different kind of beast because for the first time in VWR history, it's a PHEV in the name of green business. Yes, Volkswagen's in serious business to shake off its dirty image by going electric and this new Touareg R is one of them.

First and foremost, it works like a normal Touareg. You still get the same luxurious interior fit for five, the same boot space, the same gadgetry some speedo boys may find it disturbing, and so on, but since this is the R version, the exterior design feels like it's got injected with steroids' to make it look macho every way it goes. When parked near the grocery store or a shopping center, people might think that there's a macho athlete and his family are on the go and that's the first impression of the Touareg R.

Because it's a plug-in hybrid, in tune with the times, the Touareg R features a 3.0L V6 turbo engine bolted to an electric drive motor, a 14.1kWh li-ion battery, an 8-speed Tiptronic, and 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive. That setup produces up to a superb 462PS of power and 700Nm of torque, making it capable of going from 0-100kph in 5.1 seconds and top speed electronically limited to 250kph. This crossover can chew the RAV4 PHV alive on the road and looks like Volkswagen's on the roll now.

It maybe not as sharp as a Porsche Cayenne but for a plug-in hybrid SUV, the Touareg R loves making a statement on and off the road, well almost because it was made to be enjoyed on the road more than off the road like most high-performance crossovers do. It maybe bulky but it's addictive and some are very jealous to drive one.

Of course, like all fast SUVs, it's got loads of advanced safety features that will scare a speedo boy straight but this one's different because it comes with Travel Assist that works even on speeds up to 250kph. Flashy but still it can scare him straight on the German motorways, and that's not all because the Touareg R is the first and only plug-in hybrid SUV that comes with Trailer Assist so towing stuff at the back never felt so good.

The Touareg R really is the spiritual successor of the legendary Touareg R50 from many years ago and with its clean credentials, uncanny performance, powertrain, tech, and more, it really is the real beginning of the new VW R lineup.

Photo: Volkswagen

VW Touareg III

The Touareg has been Volkswagen's first SUV since the early 2000's and while this is basically a Porsche Cayenne underneath, the Touareg wasn't as more enjoyable as the Cayenne but it was almost a half-price Range Rover which isn't so bad to take it on a day to day basis, whether if you're taking kids from school, running errands, going on a family trip to grandma's house, or for just plain Sunday driving. With the advent of the third-generation Touareg, there's a lot of stuff to pick up for the all-new model which is literally all new from the ground up.

2019 Volkswagen Touareg

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, your new VW Touareg, and with prices start at 60,675 Euros, it's somewhat more costly to own than a Land Cruiser Prado but half the price of the Range Rover if you ask. With so much to ask about Volkswagen's flagship SUV, what to expect from this all new model, per se?

2019 Volkswagen Touareg

First and foremost, the styling of the new Touareg went to a more dramatic approach and apart from the T-Roc-styled nose, the new Touareg can be easily mistaken for an Audi Q7, which of course the new model is based on thanks to an all new platform that has been creaming through every large luxury car from the VW Group family tree but we'll talk about that platform later but in the meantime, the cockpit.

2019 Volkswagen Touareg interior

The biggest surprise on the interior that it's got a massive touch screen on the dashboard and the interior is becoming more Audi A8-level of comfort because there's an available massage seats that will relax the occupants after a long day at work or at school. Toying around on the driver's side, the touch screen can be operated via touch, speech, or even gesture control, which is very BMW-ish if you ask them. From the available Discover Premium navigation system, heads up display, and Digital Cockpit, this crossover really is the future worth toying for. At the passenger's side, it's surprisingly comfortable for a five-seater luxury crossover and while not recommended for family use because of the "sweet spot" scenario, its use for VIP escorts won't go unnoticed and its boot space is very good indeed.

2019 Volkswagen Touareg

Like I said, the new Touareg now runs on the similarly new platform that VW Group's luxury cars possess and with the help of the brand new 4-corner air suspension, it really works like it was meant to be, whether on the road, off road, or whatever the heck you're on. Apart from that, the running gear is now made of lightweight aluminum, the active roll compensation and anti-roll bars are now electromechanical, and it's got all-wheel steering so that all four wheels can be turned simultaneously, which isn't so bad for a big hunk of German meat with some buns and thighs. Ja, buns and thighs.

The 4MOTION all-wheel drive has a center differential lock with asymmetrically dynamic torque distribution that transfers a maximum of 70% to the front while up to 80% at the back as well as yhr Active Control that allows the drivers to switch through different driving modes that suit their driving conditions; be it tarmac, gravel, or snow, whichever comes first.

While Germany is now one of the many EU nations that have a hatred affair with diesels, the new Touareg offers only with a 3.0L V6 TDi engine mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox with "shift-by-wire". Looks like Volkswagen never learn from their Dieselgate scandals but anyway, the 3.0L V6 TDi engine produces 286PS of power and 600Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 235kph. Fuel economy is around 8.1L/100km combined based on WLTP standards. That is pretty good stuff but remember VW, you had an electrified promise to keep so you can clean your name from the diesel plague you went into.

The new IQ.Light LED matrix headlights isn't the only functional thing that works on the new Touareg, in fact, there are numerous safety features that can be proven useful on the journey home. From the Night Vision, Front Cross Traffic Assist, Proactive occupant protection system, Traffic Jam Assist with Roadwork Lane Assist, Trailer Assist, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System 2.0, there are numerous safety features you can take advantage of, although this puts driving on the order side rather than the freedom side, which is somewhat worth a shrug on the shoulders.

So, is there's something to like about the new Touareg? Well, it's becoming the Audi Q7 for the more reasonable ones due to its comfortable interior, the dashboard's becoming too much to toy with, rides better than the old one, and it's worth the trip with this one. What's not to like is that VW didn't stick to the electrification promise because it's got a diesel engine at launch. Don't worry, VW will figure it out soon but in the meantime, feel free to enjoy what's what about the new Touareg. Like a multi-talented traffic enforcer, the new Touareg is an SUV of many talents and it does great like what a decent SUV should.

Photo: Volkswagen

Volkswagen New Second-Generation Touareg

The long wait is over, because Volkswagen, the world's number one car manufacturer in the world, has just unleashed the full model change of its flagship sport utility vehicle, known as the Touareg. Since its launched in 2002 and made a minor change since 2007, it is surprising that the Touareg is Volkswagen's first off-road sport utility vehicle, armed with the capabilities to tear down mud, sand, floods, rocky roads, and every city pavements. This machine is tougher on the outside, luxurious on the inside. This year, the new Touareg is more reinforced than the previous generation and it continues the tradition to please off-roaders with its pride and power, determined to be the best German SUV made for soldiers without frontiers.

The exterior of the all-new Touareg is honestly a "soldier without frontiers" because of the design, that others think it is the same Touareg, with some minor alterations to the front and back. This new style derives Volkswagen new signature look found on the Scirocco. As for the interior, the new Touareg looks like the luxurious premium interior found on the Volkswagen Passat CC, giving the soldiers in business suits some rest and relaxation while tearing down the warpath.

At this second generation's maiden voyage, the new Touareg has the maiden engine choices available such as the 3.0L V6 TDI BlueMotion Technology diesel engine, a 4134cc V8 TDI diesel engine, and the new 3.0L V6 TSI hybrid engine. For innovation, this German Mauser is now armed with the new glare-proof Dynamic Light Assist. The Dynamic Light Assist allows adjusts the Touareg's lighting pattern to reduce its glare and has the ability to perceive incoming traffic at its pace. Aside from this wonderful feature, the new Touareg has the host of features, which finds soldiers useful for terrain combat. The Adaptive Cruise Control seeks the car in front's speed, and intelligently tells to stop or go. This technology is mostly similar to the Toyota Crown Majesta's cruise control capability. The Lane Departure Warning System prevents the driver from crossing to unnecessary lanes (mostly double yellow lines separating the entrance and the exit), and it triggers a beeping sound when a soldier is changing on the wrong side of the lane. This technology is more as the one found on the Nissan Fuga and the Kia K7. A Blind Spot Monitor is added to detect an incoming object coming at the driver's blind spot. This is useful for escape tactics when you are surrounded by the enemy. Lastly, the Area View (similar to Nissan's Around View Monitor) is equipped for parking safety. These features are equipped for drastic combat measures and how you will use these innovative technologies is up to you to decide when or where will you use them.

In terms for escaping from a chase, the new Touareg is armed with the next-generation 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, generated to make full capabilities of its ABS brakes, EDS, and ASR for off-road driving like no other. A V6 variant can obtain a special 4XMOTION system that serves as a Terrain Tech package, gifted to tear down the battlefield at the choice of five levels: on-road, off-road, low, center differential lock, and rear differential lock. In case for soldiers without frontiers ready to find out what transmission is equipped, the new Touareg is armed with the 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

My thoughts about the Touareg:
As a favorite among SUV warriors, the new Touareg boasts good-looking design, smart technology, combative performance, and the feel that allows owners to call this car, their own Big Boss of the road. And by this SUV's "Big Boss" feel, the new Touareg targets its number one rivals: the Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser Prado, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, Mitsubishi Pajero, and the upcoming second-generation Porsche Cayenne. Combat veterans, powerful politicians, diabolical gang bosses, and wealthy armed men are always welcome to take the plunge of its "Boss" made from Volkswagen. For the second generation Touareg, this SUV will not win or lose; it always finds a reason to fight like real men fighting without honor and loss.