Volkswagen is touting the new Touareg as all things to all people – “a luxury sport utility vehicle that offers a high level of comfort, sporty driving properties, avantgarde styling, excellent quality and unlimited expedition capabilities.”

The new Touareg line-up also brings with it more efficient engines, up to 25 percent more efficient than the outgoing model in some cases. The new 3.0 V6 TDI BlueMotion Technology with 176 kW is the first BlueMotion Technology engine to be introduced in South Africa. The 550 Nm strong turbodiesel engine consumes a miserly 7.4 l/100 km (equivalent to 195 g/km of CO2), which is 1.9 litres less than the previous engine. CO2 emissions were reduced by 49 g/km.

The 4.2 V8 TDI with 250 kW is the newest turbodiesel engine. It has maximum torque of 800 Nm and combined fuel consumption of 9.1 l/100 km (equivalent to 239 g/km of CO2), which is 2.8 litres less than the now retired V10 TDI.

The Touareg is now shifted by a standard 8-speed automatic transmission. The 7th and 8th gears are laid out as fuel-efficient overdrive gears. The 8th gear reduces engine speed by 34 percent compared to 6th gear. This saves on fuel and reduces emissions.

The weight of the base model Touareg has been reduced by 208 kilograms. Yet, the body has five percent greater torsional rigidity, which makes it the leader in its competitive class. Designers attained a significantly improved aerodynamic Cd value by reducing it from 0.38 to 0.35.

The parking brake is now activated by pushbutton. The V6 TDI BlueMotion Technology engine automatically shuts off at traffic lights and restarts as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal (Stop-Start system). The oil dipstick has been removed, replaced by an electronic display.

The Touareg’s extended wheelbase allowed a substantially roomier design of the rear seating and cargo areas compared to the previous model. The interior length available in the rear is now 1,819 mm. When sitting down in the car for the first time, the driver will notice right away that legroom towards the transmission tunnel has been perceptibly improved by the new centre console design. The centre armrest now extends further forward and optimises arm support. On the previous model, the shorter support surface had to be shifted forward to obtain the same comfortable effect. Rear knee room on the rear bench seat has also increased, since it was the interior that benefited from the 40 mm longer wheelbase. The results: legroom up from 68 mm to 104 mm.

All Touareg versions are equipped with permanent all-wheel drive. Unlike the first generation, however, two different systems are now being offered: 4MOTION for lighter off-road use, or – available as an option on the Touareg V6 TDI – the 4XMOTION system for tough off-road driving.

New generation Touaregs with the base version 4MOTION system have an all-wheel drive system with limited-slip Torsen differential (climbing gradient 31 degrees) and electronic differential locks (EDS) at all four wheels. The more rugged 4XMOTION drive (climbing gradient 45 degrees) is available with the Touareg V6 TDI. This option is offered as a “Terrain Tech” package. Like its predecessor, it consists of a locking centre differential with electrically controlled multi-plate differential and reduction gearing (2.69:1), increased ground clearance (10 mm in front, 15 in rear).

V6 versions of the Touareg (FSI and TDI) have standard 17-inch alloy wheels and size 235/65 tyres. In the case of the V8 version, 19-inch alloy wheels and size 265/50 tyres are used.

Prices include a 3-year/120 000 km warranty and 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. All models have a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty and 15 000 km service intervals.

The all-new Touareg has been unveiled – a car which is up to 200 kg lighter and up to 20 per cent more fuel efficient than the model it replaces. It’s sharper, cleaner and yet, in Hybrid form, able to out-accelerate many hot hatches while returning 8.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. The new vehicle maintains all the same virtues of space, comfort, refinement and off-road and towing ability that have led the original Touareg to build up a loyal following since its launch in 2003.

Clean new styling, which draws inspiration from the design direction established by the Golf 6, the new Polo and the New Compact Coupé concept, lends the new Touareg greater presence and a lower drag coefficient without sacrificing the functional requirements of short front and rear overhangs for off-roading. The overall length and wheelbase of the Touareg have each grown by 40 mm to measure 4 758 mm and 2 900 mm respectively. The width of the new Touareg remains as before at 1 928 mm while overall height drops by 20 mm to 1 724 mm.

The changes over the outgoing model extend far beyond new styling. Standard examples of the new Touareg will feature an eight-speed transmission as well as, on the majority of models, Start/Stop technology, touchscreen satellite navigation and leather upholstery. In addition, a choice of advanced new options can be specified including High Beam Assist that automatically dips the headlights when it senses oncoming traffic, Side Assist to warn of vehicles occupying blind spots, adaptive roll compensation air suspension and air conditioned, massaging seats.

At the heart of the new Touareg is a range of highly efficient petrol and diesel engines and, for the first time, a Hybrid. The new Touareg Hybrid brings together a 3,3-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine producing 245 kW and 359 N.m of torque and an electric motor generating 34 kW, resulting in a total output of 279 kW and 580 N.m of torque. The electric motor can operate independently of the combustion engine making the new Touareg a full hybrid. On electric power alone the new Touareg is capable of travelling at speeds of up to 48 km/h. Alternatively the electric motor can supplement the V6 engine to provide a useful boost during overtaking manoeuvres and allows the Touareg Hybrid to accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 238 km/h.

The entry-level engine and the likely volume seller is a powerful and refined 3,0-litre V6 TDI engine generating 176 kW and 549 N.m of torque while returning 7.4 l/100km and emitting 195 g/km of CO2.

A new 4,2-litre TDI V8 engine producing 250 kW and a whopping 800 N.m of torque sits at the top of the new Touareg range. Despite its substantial power and torque outputs the new engine is still capable of achieving 9.1 l/100km on the combined cycle while emitting 239 g/km of CO2.

The new Touareg range now includes two all-wheel drive systems. The traditional 4Motion system remains, but a new 4XMotion will be available on some models. 4XMOTION, which comprises reduction gearing, centre and rear differentials that can each be fully locked for off-road applications and five stage control for the four wheel drive system. The first stage is for on-road applications, the second is for off-road use and activates automatic control for the mechanical differential locks, stage three engages the low-range gearbox with revised mapping of the gearbox to raise the shift points and switches off the automatic upshift in manual mode. Stage four applies the centre differential lock, stage five adds the rear differential lock.

The greater refinement afforded by the new drivetrain is matched by an all-new interior featuring a subtle mix of leather, wood and aluminium highlights and more space than ever before thanks to the longer wheelbase on which the new Touareg sits. Though the Touareg remains a five-seater, legroom in the rear has grown significantly due to the new sliding rear bench and reclining backrests while the boot measures from 580 litres to 1 642 litres depending on the seating arrangement.

First deliveries for the UK begin in August, with a local debut expected before the end of the year.

Adapted from TestDriven