The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 13: Autumn 2019 | Page 42
REVVED UP
The New Volkswagen Touareg
The Volkswagen Touareg is a quick, comfortable and refined luxury SUV that comes loaded with clever
technology and has now been augmented with a touch more luxury thanks to the new range-topping
trim level: R-Line. The SUV is now available in the UK with four trim levels: SE; Escape; R-Line; and
R-Line Plus. All feature Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system, which distributes engine
power as required to all four wheels helping to ensure optimum traction and propulsion.
The car
This is the flagship of the VW range. It’s a big
car for sure but disguises the size by being
especially elegant. The broad, confident front
grille now incorporates the headlights for
a seamless, streamlined look. This latest
model Touareg is wider and longer than the
previous version and, accordingly, the boot
space grows significantly from 697L to 810L
whilst offering passengers even more space
than before. Volkswagen is now offering the
Touareg in its highest specification yet, as
the new R-Line and R-Line Plus trim sit at
the pinnacle of the capacious and capable
4x4’s line-up. This upgrade adds stylish
additions inside and out.
Externally, the five-seat SUV’s alloy
wheels are upgraded from 20” of the
regular variants to the striking 21” ‘Mallory’
design for the R-Line. The VW Touareg
has had a technology overhaul and now
offers an extensive package of all-new
technology inside and out including the
brand’s impressive Area View technology as
standard. This utilises front, rear and side
wide-angle cameras (mounted within the
door mirrors) to provide a 360-degree bird’s-
eye exterior view of the SUV, displayed on the
Touareg’s touchscreen.
Driver’s view
Finding a comfortable driving position in
the Touareg is not a problem. Both the
steering wheel and driver’s seat get plenty
of adjustment, including lumbar support to
ensure that, regardless of driver size, you’ll
be sitting pretty. Heated front seats are
standard on all models and ventilated and
massaging seats are on the options list.
The steering wheel logo may be familiar,
but things look very different across the
dashboard. Conventional instrument
dials and a sizeable 9.2in touchscreen
infotainment system are standard on SEL
and R-Line, but these can be replaced
by a 12.0in digital display and a 15.0in
touchscreen, both of which are standard
on the top level R-Line Tech. In fact, all of
the technology we expect these days is on
board; for example, a new roadwork lane
assist system, cross-traffic warnings, four-
wheel steering, active lighting and cornering
roll stabilisation plus height-adjustable
active air suspension. And there’s plenty
more.
Driving the VW Touareg
TDI diesel units already on offer. All engines
drive through an eight-speed DSG automatic
gearbox.
On the road, the Touareg is a surprisingly
agile car thanks to the four-wheel steering
set-up, although the suspension is very
much geared to comfort rather than speed.
Nevertheless, progress is swift and the gutsy
new V6 petrol engine will undoubtedly appeal
to the keen driver. The diesel engines are
smooth when accelerating, if a little vocal,
and there’s plenty of low down pulling power.
Air suspension is an option on some models
and this really tightens things up on the
handling front. Overall, this is a very refined
car with a high quality interior and is loaded
with technology. If a big, all-conquering SUV
is required, this one is hard to beat.
Volkswagen has, earlier this year, increased
the engine choice with the introduction of
a new and powerful petrol 335bhp, 3.0L V6
TSI engine to the SUV’s range. This is in
addition to the capable 227bhp and 282bhp
Written by Geoff Maxted
www.drivewrite.co.uk
@DriveWrite
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