Slick flagship Touareg emerges smiling from facelift
Volkswagen’s South African flagship Touareg has always been expressive, innovative, convenient and safe. Hewn from best quality materials and craftsmanship, it delivers sublime performance both on and off the road. Well, nothing’s changed. It’s just got better.
With over a million units sold since what seems like yesterday when we first met the biggest, boldest new Volkswagen just over twenty years ago now, the Touareg remains as comfortable as it is dynamic, and as technically advanced as ever. Now following the third generation’s midlife makeover, it’s just a lot sexier too.
Stealthy Darth Vader-like Touareg R-Line
The pictures do it justice. Stealthy and Darth Vader like in this one’s naval cross air force ice grey metallic R-Line get-up, Volkswagen’s premium SUV gains a few cool new design elements and high-tech features. Among other, bits and pieces, they come together to better show off Touareg’s natural breadth. All finished by a cool set of angular composite alloy wheels.
New glare-free main beam IQ. Light HD matrix headlamps form a unit with the radiator grille and apron to bring a sharper, more focussed new look. All underlined by three L-shaped LED daytime running lights. Another lighting element links an illuminated grill moustache each side of the VW badge.
These advanced headlamps also bring far more precise oncoming traffic marking on full beam. New taillights also get the IQ. Light HD treatment with dynamic brake and turn signal functions. They’re also linked by a continuous horizontal LED strip with a cool red-lit VW logo in the middle. Touareg will even shine VW logo puddle lamps on the floor when you get in and out.
Luxury cabin also benefits Touareg scalpel
Touareg’s luxurious cabin does not escape the facelift scalpel. Now enhanced by 3-zone 30-colour adjustable ambient lighting and power adjustable leather seats. Much attention was also paid to aesthetics, with several detail upgrades from trim to a softer, comfier centre console, among several other subtle improvements throughout.
The tech side remains centred around Volkswagen’s Innovision ‘Cockpit of the future’ concept. It continues to deliver a fusion of assistance, comfort and dynamic systems. Innovision however gains improved voice control, while new USB-C connections are up to 45 watts charging capacity from the previous 15 to charge your devices far quicker.
Touareg’s vast suite of driver and dynamic aids has also improved with Travel trailer assist to now go with its three and a half ton braked towing capacity and night vision. Travel Assist now also operates up to the Touareg’s 228 km/h top speed. Touareg’s interior versatility is however subtly limited versus the likes of its brand new Tiguan sibling’s revolutionary new cabin solutions. We’d imagine the Touareg won’t be too far behind in gaining those advantages.
A healthy 190 kW 600 Nm 3.0 TDI V6
Delving under Touareg’s lightweight composite aluminium-steel shell skin, its powered by a healthy 190 kW 600 Nm 3-litre turbodiesel V6. Paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and 4Motion permanent all-wheel drive, performance is brisk, handling supreme and its as fun to drive as it looks. Surprisingly sporty, yet slick and refined all at the same time.
Available in the R1.4 million Elegance or this 1.8 million R-Line, The Volkswagen Touareg makes for a most interesting mid-executive sports ute alternative. More expensive than pretenders like the new Mazda CX-60 straight-six, this premium R-Line is a price rival to its traditional base model six-cylinder diesel Audi, BMW and Merc, et al rivals.
The new Touareg comes standard with a 5 year/100 000km Maintenance Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty, 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and space saver spare wheel. Service Interval is 15 000km. All as good as anything anyone else offers in this neck of the woods.
Touareg avoids stigmas, carries top German badge
The latest Touareg indeed packs most of what you’d want from any of those cars, along with a lot more in as far as looks and allure goes. But it avoids any of their stigmas or archetypes while still carrying a top German badge. And it’s competitive in every performance and dynamic aspect too. Darth Vader never had it so good! – Michele Lupini.
Images & Testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI R-Line
Engine: 190 kW 600 Nm 3-litre turbodiesel V6
Drive: 8-speed automatic AWD
Braked Trailer: 3500 kg
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 2.86 sec
0-100 km/h: 6.48 sec
0-120 km/h 11.22 sec
0-160 km/h: 16.46 sec
80-120 km/h: 6.30 sec
120-160 km/h: 7.30 sec
400 m: 14.63s @ 151km/h
CLAIMED:
VMax: 228 km/h
Fuel: 7.8 l/100k m
CO2: 206 g/km
Range: 1150 km
Warranty/Service: 3y 120/5y 100K km
LIST PRICE: R 1 799 200
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