New Touareg: Fast and fancy greeny

The V6 remains the same, but thanks to the introduction of lighter, cleaner and more efficient engines, the new 3.0-litre engine with BlueMotion technology has 50Nm more torque and the new V8 engine bulges with a torque boost from 440Nm to 800Nm!

Not only is the new Touareg lighter, lower, longer and longer than the outgoing range but it now also boasts class-leading fuel economy of 7.4 l/100km for the V6 TDI model and the V8 TDI under-cutting the V10 TDI model's consumption by 2.8 l/100km.

The muscle of the V6 remains the same, but thanks to the introduction of lighter, cleaner and more efficient engines, the new 3.0-litre engine with BlueMotion technology has 50Nm more torque and the new V8 engine bulges with a torque boost from 440Nm to 800Nm! (This is even more punch than one of the previous V10 models).

Quicker off the mark

All three new models are also quicker off the mark with the V8 sprinting from 0-100km/h in a hatch-thrashing 5.8 seconds.

Typical of these seriously fancy giant SUV brag barges, the new Touareg is wall-to-wall with luxury and safety features and also offers a long list of whizz-bang optional extras totalling in the region of R265 000.

Of the choice picks are air suspension (R31 500), LED running lights (R14 470) Satnav (R28 290), park distance control (R7850), electric foldable towbar (R8090), 'Confidence' sounds system (R16 640), 18 or 20-inch allows (R5500), keyless entry R11 340) and a chrome styling package (R8300).

You can always get them to paste a sticker on the tailgate window which says: “My other car is a Fiat 500".

Some of the many optional extras are standard on some models, so compare carefully, particularly as you will be forking out about R562 600 for the bog standard 3.6 FSI, R622 000 for the V6 3.0 TDI BlueMotion and about R1-million for the new V8 (the price has not been confirmed yet as this model will only become available locally from about November onwards).

The competition in the local large SUV segment is fierce and fairly bullet-proof because this is where the big boys with thick wallets shop, but the Touareg is more than classy, capable, luxurious and attractive enough to take on the Audi Q7, Mercedes- Benz ML, BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery, Toyota Prado, Mitsubishi Pajero, Volvo XC90, Jeep Grand Cherokee and even the Porsche Cayenne.

At the Media launch I drove all the new versions on a scenic drive from Cape Town over the Franschhoek Pass and along fast, mainly deserted back roads to Hermanus and from there back to the airport - and was bowled over by the big German's handling dynamics on gravel and tar.

What a grunt

I would have liked to drive it along some more serious off-road tracks because VW makes much of its off-road capabilities, but this time around it was not included on the drive schedule.

However, if it is as good as (or even better than the outgoing models, as VW claim), there would no need to prove its credentials again.

I loved the grunt and go of the V8, but sensibilities would dictate that the environmentally friendly, smaller-engined BlueMotion model should be the more logical choice.

airbags for Africa.

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Having said that I am not much of a big SUV fan and would never buy one for myself because I hardly ever go off-road, have no reason to want to show off and have enough rand and cents common sense to opt for a less expensive, less fancy-kitted smaller SUV which offers excellent packing space, comfortable seating for four broad Seffrikken beams and equal or better warranties and service plans, cheaper running costs and easier resale markets.

But the reverse side of the coin is not to be forgotten - the Touareg is a large, comfortable, impressive vehicle that handles almost as well as many a sporty saloon and it has the presence which many owners crave.

Safety first

I know of one of the top (and wealthiest!) businessmen in South Africa who owns a fleet of cars (including a few expensive rich-boy sportscars and luxury saloons) who, when not being driven by chauffeur to work, loves driving his Touareg which he once described as "one of the best, nicest to drive vehicles I have ever owned."

The Touareg was launched in 2004 and face-lifted in 2007. Since launch to date more than 500 000 have been sold world-wide, including 3 569 in South Africa.

As to be expected from a top of the class vehicle, all three Touareg models come bristling with something like 23 safety features, from ABS brakes with EBD, an electronic stability programme and anti-spin regulation to an army of airbags, Isofix child safety features and a "door open" warning device.

The living quarters are plush and comfortable - from full leather seating, a sound system with touch screen display and a multi-function steering wheel to power windows and mirrors, a fully adjustable steering column, cruise control, electric tailgate release and a cooled glove box.

All three models have 8-speed butter smooth Tiptronic transmission. Clever and quick enough to be left alone to do its own thing without driver interference.

The muscle.

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Just to get back to BlueMotion technology briefly: this is high-tech stuff, so rather ask the salesman at the VW dealership to earn his commission by explaining it to you in greater detail, but in essence the engine automatically shuts off at traffic lights and restarts as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal, a process which is so smooth and so quiet that it is hardly noticed by the occupants.

The beauty of this new technology is that it makes the entire driving experience much more environmental friendly and reduces operating costs without any input from the driver.

You'll be picking up good vibrations

Having said that, the Touareg is not everybody's cup of tea, certainly not unless you are a propeller-head, intrigued by technology. Many people find today's electronics too complicated and too unnecessarily fussy to the point of it being downright irritating. (Yes, OK, so many of them are Old Toppies, but let's not forget that these are also the people with the money and part of VW's target audience for this vehicle).

Most motoring scribes, for example, find the warning vibration in the Toureg's steering every time you touch the white or yellow lines in the middle or side of the road beyond irritating. Fortunately this can be de-activated, but one has to question the necessity for something like this because anybody who allows his vehicle to wander across the road without intent should not be driving but taking medication and lying down in the dark room somewhere.

Plush and comfortable.

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Modern car manufacturers place a high value on high-tech and yes, some of it has value and makes for safer and more comfortable driving, but several of them are more expensive gimmickry than added value.

Fortunately the Touareg, although it is right on the cutting edge of technology, does not overplay its box of tricks and many of them are optional rather than standard kit, so thankfully you don't need a degree in rocket science to change a radio station or adjust the cabin temperature.

Overall the new Touareg is cleaner, safer, quicker and even slightly less expensive to drive than the outgoing range. It oozes feel-good and although it is clearly upmarket, it is not as flashy and in your face as some of the other SUV behemoths.

The Touareg doesn't bling it on

In fact, in some ways it even seems a tad bland and lacking in cool but then that is also part of its attraction, particularly amongst those who prefer to drive something which doesn't announce its presence in bling and flashing neon lights.

Clearly it would be a strong contender when it comes to purchase choices within the large SUV market. Careful homework is essential though, not only by comparing the three different models and what comes standard and costs extra, but also by looking at the purchase prices, running costs and special features of some of the competitors in this segment.

The new Touareg range prices include a five-year/100 000km maintenance plan, a three-year/120 000km warranty and a 12-year anti corrosion warranty.

And if anybody in the family feels a little embarrassed by the Touareg's imposing presence you can always get them to paste a sticker on the tailgate window which says: "My other car is a Fiat 500."

New Touareg specifications.

Volkswagen Touareg (Top Gear) HQ

The 2010 Volkswagen Touareg

New Volkswagen Touareg 2011 Driving