2011 VW Touareg Debuts with New Hybrid Powertain

[darknightohio]

We weren't expecting to see the new second generation Volkswagen Touareg until the beginning of March at the Geneva Motor Show, but VW rolled out its big SUV at an event in Munich earlier today. The basic shape and proportions of the exterior haven't changed much, but the body sides are now more sculpted than before, making it a bit more planted and – dare we say – sporty. At the front the Touareg has picked up the new horizontal VW family face that debuted on the latest Golf and Polo, finally discarding the more vertical and heavily chromed fascia of the original.

Fuel efficiency was of paramount importance in the redesign, and weight reduction plays an a key role. The original Touareg was always porky for its size, so VW put the 'ute on a diet and the new base Touareg is now nearly 460 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Of course, a weight loss program only gets you so far, so the powertrains needed an upgrade too.

The new Touareg brings with it Volkswagen's first ever mass produced hybrid drivetrain. The hybrid combines the VW Group's supercharged and direct injected 3.0-liter V6 with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Touareg hybrid gets a combined rating of 28.6 mpg (U.S.) on the EU cycle, a number that will probably be closer to 24-25 when it arrives Stateside. The diesel powered TDI does even better now with a rating of 31.8 mpg (U.S.). The Touareg is also available with a normally aspirated 3.6-liter gasoline V6 and for the first time the awesome 335 horsepower 4.2-liter TDI V8. Even the diesel V8 is rated at 25.8 mpg (U.S.). Unfortunately Americans won't be able to get that powerplant.

All the engines are mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment, a first for the class. Overall the new Touareg is about 20% more efficient than before and 80% more handsome. See for yourself in the gallery below and hit the jump for the press release and three videos of the all-new Touareg.

Videos found here:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/o...wagen-touareg/

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[erich_sc]

460 pound lighter?! Now that's a diet.

[sub9lulu]

the last one towed a 747 right
how much can this one tow now ?

[SLegacy99]

Their numbers are all out of whack. Current 3L diesel is rated for 18/25 MPG. So 31.8 MPG (US) is also on the EU cycle I would assume.

[SCRAPPYDO]

base price..

1 MILLION DOLLARS..

[White out]

Great change for the truck. I wish that the V10 TDI was still available. . .

Nick

[monovich]

thats a looker of a car. probably gonna cost 65k specced the way I'd want it.

[shikataganai]

Originally Posted by SLegacy99

Their numbers are all out of whack. Current 3L diesel is rated for 18/25 MPG. So 31.8 MPG (US) is also on the EU cycle I would assume.

It looks like all of their numbers (save for their "prediction") are on the lenient EU test cycle. US numbers don't have decimal points and are our familiar city/hwy format, besides being significantly lower.

[RichM]

I like the interior and exterior it isn't flashy or complicated.
The specs seem solid for a 4wd, center and rear locking differentials.
Now if they would only offer a 6 speed manual tranny with the V6 TDi in the USA and I made a lot more money I'd be sold.

[Trindle_HEAD]

please Audi and VW, just stop with the twinkly lights on the front. Otherwise looks and sounds like a great revision. The taureg has always been a good looking suv, fullsize but has always seemed understated.

[Mariano]

I'd hit it... like a $5 Ho!

[BrysImpreza]

Gotta do something with that turd of an SUV, been on top of Consumer Reports worst for 2 years running.

Nothing like a car that shuts off in a slalom... Sounds safe, car stops when it tries to avoid something in the road.

[JM530]

Looking more and more like the (shared platform) Cayenne... I wonder if the new VW bosses will really chop the Cayenne and go forth with just this momba jomba.

[Kubek]

They probably make more money on Cayenne.

[jigga]

Originally Posted by sub9lulu

the last one towed a 747 right
how much can this one tow now ?

B52 Stratofortress.. Fully loaded..

[brianbot5000]

Originally Posted by Trindle_HEAD

please Audi and VW, just stop with the twinkly lights on the front.

Couldn't agree more. Seems like something that will be a passing fad. Other automakers like Kia or Chrysler will begin doing it, then Audi will have to stop, and then they'll just be lame.

[darknightohio]

Originally Posted by brianbot5000

Couldn't agree more. Seems like something that will be a passing fad. Other automakers like Kia or Chrysler will begin doing it, then Audi will have to stop, and then they'll just be lame.

Funny thing is VW is already offering it for the base Golf as an R line accessory:



and its already on the Golf-R.

Oh and its all the rage for ricers to throw a band of LEDs in their headlights.

Its already kinda lame, but I still love it on higher end Audis.

[Lboogie]

I feel like the 'Hybrid' model in a manufacturer lineup is getting way beyond whored out.

In my minds eye, a hybrid should be at least 30mpg average for trucks, 35mpg for large/luxury passenger cars, 40mpg+ average for compact-midsize passenger cars.

In light of VAG's excellent diesel motors, like the diesel V8 that gets the same mpg as the gas hybrid, a petrol powered "hybrid" that isn't hitting 30mpg is a waste.