Introduction For More Information:
Critical Knowledge:
Introduced for the 2004 model year, the Touareg was the first SUV from Volkswagen. Designed in conjunction with the Porsche Cayenne, the 5-passenger Touareg delivered “a blend of car-like handling and off-road prowess,” according to the manufacturer.
Loaded with technology, and a sophisticated full-time all-wheel-drive system, the German luxury SUV was complex and heavy (but that didn’t stop the original model from eventually selling more than 500,000 units worldwide).
The Touareg received a significant update for 2007—often considered its second-generation debut. The updates initiated a name change from the automaker to differentiate the model from the prior years (it was now the “Touareg 2”).
Volkswagen reintroduced the diesel powerplant in 2009 (after a short-lived 48-state V-10 diesel in 2007) in the form of a smaller 3.0-liter V-6 “TDI Clean Diesel.” The new engine met stringent emissions standards and was 50-state compliant.
The 2010 model year marked the last run of the original platform. By then, the V-8 powerplant had been dropped in favor of two 6-cylinder models (one gasoline, the other diesel) and the once-long options list had been significantly shortened.
Volkswagen rolled out its all-new 2011 Touareg at the Geneva Motor Show in early 2010. Completely redesigned, the new Touareg is lighter, has more safety features, and is more aerodynamic and more fuel efficient than its predecessors ever were. In addition, Volkswagen is introducing its first hybrid variant (“V6 TSI plus E-motor”)—unlike the diesel variant, it is expected to arrive in the States later this year to accompany its gasoline siblings.
2011 Volkswagen Touareg Preview
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