The very first Volkswagen Touareg was presented to the public in 2002 on September 26 at the international exhibition in Paris. Its name means "knights of the desert" - the tribes that roamed one of the hottest deserts - the Sahara, and it was not chosen by chance.
Today, Volkswagen Touareg is a luxury car that is not afraid of any off-road. This creation of the German concern has become the embodiment of all the best, combining the dynamics of a sports car, the comfort of a sedan and the quality of an SUV in a single whole, so it would not be decent not to study the characteristics of a Volkswagen Tuareg.
Geometric indicators of the car
The new Volkswagen Touareg is slightly larger than previous generations. The car is 4.795 meters long, 1.94 meters wide and 1.709 meters high. The wheelbase is 289.3 cm and the ground clearance is 22 cm.
Thanks to some innovations of the designers, the weight of the car has significantly decreased (by more than 200 kg) and now it can vary from 2035 to 2250 kg. The luggage compartment holds 580 liters with the second row of seats unfolded and 1642 liters when they are folded.
The engine and transmission of the new Volkswagen Touareg
For each Volkswagen Touareg 2013 model, an 8-speed automatic transmission is standard - an Aisin torque converter unit. Previously, only a 6-speed gearbox was installed on all models. Thanks to such innovations, the SUV has become even more dynamic and nimble.
In the Russian market, the car will be represented by 6 types of engines: three diesel, three petrol and one hybrid.
Diesel engines are as follows:
- V6 with a volume of 3.0 liters and a power of 204 horses. It is able to accelerate the SUV to a speed of 100 km / h in 8.5 seconds, and its maximum possible speed is a modest 202 km / h. The average fuel consumption in the "City-highway" mode is 7.5 liters.
- V6 with a volume of 3.0 liters and a power of 245 horses accelerates the SUV to hundreds in 7.7 seconds, the maximum speed is already 218 km / h. The average fuel consumption in mixed mode with this engine is 9-10 liters.
- A 4.2-liter turbodiesel with a power of 340 horses accelerates the car to a speed of 100 km / h in a short 6 seconds, its maximum speed is 242 km / h. The average fuel consumption in the "City-highway" mode is 12-13 liters.
Petrol engine models:
- VR6 with a volume of 3.6 liters and a power of 249 horses. Accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km / h in 8.3 seconds, the maximum speed is 220 km / h. The average fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 11 liters.
- V8 has a volume of 4.2 liters and a power of 360 horses. A car with this unit reaches 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, while the maximum speed is 245 km/h. The average fuel consumption in the "City-highway" mode is 11.4 liters.
- Particular attention can be awarded to the hybrid engine, which has a 3-liter V6 petrol unit and an electric motor. Their total power is 380 horses, and such a Volkswagen Touareg can accelerate up to 100 km in a record 5.8 seconds for an SUV.
Drive, transmission, suspension of the new Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen Touareg has a “lower” transmission range and is equipped with an interaxle locking differential – a combination that improves its off-road capabilities. This system is called 4XMotion and is now installed on cars only for a surcharge as an additional option in the amount of 1700-2000 euros. Fans of city driving can refuse it.
Describing the technical characteristics of the Volkswagen Tuareg, it is impossible not to note the off-road qualities. They are provided thanks to the introduction of a new electronic all-wheel drive system into the car. When moving in normal mode, the system provides an even distribution of energy directed to the rotation of the front and rear axles. When one of the wheels begins to slip on the road surface, it is braked by the system, and its energy is redistributed to other wheels. During the start, the system redirects more power to the rear axle, while making acceleration more efficient.
Volkswagen Touareg is equipped with air suspension, which is paired with Sachs shock absorbers. It is worth noting that it is worthy of only flattering reviews, it is able to provide a wide range of damping, so that when driving in a “clamped” mode, the SUV does not turn into a “bone crusher”.
Structurally, the suspension of the new Volkswagen Touareg 2013 has not changed. At the back and front, the design is based on aluminum levers. At the same time, there was more “light” metal, thanks to which the designers reduced the weight of the car by almost half a hundred kilograms.
Options Volkswagen Touareg
The new Volkswagen Touareg 2013 will come with three trim levels:
- V6/V6 TDI
- V8 / V8 TDI
- Hybrid
Volkswagen Touareg V6 / V6 TDI will be sold with three types of engines (two diesel and one petrol):
- V6 3.0 TDI (245 hp) 8-automatic transmission
- V6 3.0 TDI (204 hp) 8-automatic transmission
- V6 3.6 FSI (249 hp) 8-automatic transmission
- Anti-theft alarm
- Heated 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel with leather trim
- Parking sensors (rear and front, with sound, visual indication)
- Roof rails black
You can buy models with this configuration from 1.9 million rubles.
The Volkswagen Touareg V8/V8 TDI will only have two types of engines (one diesel and one petrol):
- V8 4.2 TDI (340 hp) 8-automatic transmission
- V8 4.2 FSI (360 hp) 8-automatic transmission
Among the main options are:
- Anti-theft alarm
- Bi-xenon headlights with static cornering light and LED headlights
- Roof rails silver
- panoramic sunroof
You can buy models with this configuration from 3 million rubles.
Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid will be sold with a combination of a V6 3.0 TSI (380 hp) 8-speed automatic transmission petrol engine and an electric motor.
Among the main options are:
- Anti-theft alarm
- Bi-xenon headlights with cornering static light and LED headlights
- Roof rails silver
- Light control system "Dynamic Light Assist"
- Radio navigation system `RNS 850`
- "Easy Open" automatic tailgate opening via sensor under the rear bumper
- Driver's knee airbag
- panoramic sunroof
You can buy models with this configuration from 3.2 million rubles.
Volkswagen Touareg Options
Describing the technical characteristics of the Volkswagen Tuareg 2013, it is worth saying a few words about such a component as electronic systems. The developers did their best and equipped the SUV with a large number of various subsystems, each of which is better than the other.
An advanced multimedia system is installed in the cabin, containing a 60 GB hard drive and a touch screen. The hybrid version has a modified menu of installed software, displaying premium icons describing the operation of the power plant.
Added "active" light system. Volkswagen Touareg can be equipped with xenon headlights that constantly shine in high beam mode: a camera located under the windshield automatically detects an oncoming or passing car and, using a special curtain, regulates the transmission of light rays.
The all-round visibility and reversing systems will be useful. Four cameras located around the entire perimeter of the SUV create a detailed image of everything that is near the car. The system that controls the movement in reverse draws a trajectory.
Comfort mode allows you to abstract from the road flaws of all passengers. It is worth noting that the flaws in the roadway disappear completely, and on gentle waves the buildup is almost imperceptible.
The only thing missing is the automatic parking system. According to the developers, it cannot be implemented because of the hydraulic power steering. Today, Volkswagen has not yet invented the required power node, which would allow to combine both subsystems.
In custody
It is impossible to describe the technical characteristics of the Volkswagen Touareg in full, since they cannot be counted. But we can say with confidence that the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg is a representative SUV that feels comfortable on any road surface, transferring all the comfort to its passengers. Despite minor shortcomings, the designers still managed to create a car that will satisfy the requirements of many motorists, both in terms of technical characteristics and price.