| New Volkswagen Touareg | ||
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(Thu 11 Feb 10) Volkswagen has unveiled the new Touareg SUV, which is longer but lighter than the car it replaces, bears a family resemblance to the current Polo and Golf, and is available with a very intriguing range of engines.
There are two turbo diesels - a 237bhp 3.0 V6 and a 335bhp 4.2 V8 - plus, for the first time in a Touareg, a hybrid with a 3.3-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine and an electric motor. The hybrid is only slightly less economical than the 3.0 diesel (34.1mpg versus 38.1mpg combined respectively) but the combined output of its two power source is, at 375bhp, the highest in the range by a considerable margin. All new Touaregs have eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, and most also get Start/Stop technology, touchscreen satellite navigation and leather upholstery. Optional extras include automatically dipping headlights, a Side Assist system to warn of other nearby vehicles, air suspension and air-conditioned massaging seats. In the UK, the Touareg will come in four trim levels called SE, Altitude, Hybrid and Escape. No need to tell you what Hybrid means. The Escape is the most seriously off-roady one: fitted only with the 3.0 diesel, it has a four-wheel drive system with five modes to cope with various driving conditions. Production of right-hand drive models will start in June, and UK deliveries are expected to start in August. Prices will be announced nearer the time. |
