Volkswagen’s first Touareg launched towards the end of 2002 was a respected on/off-road 4x4 ‘premium’ SUV. A revamp in 2007 reaffirmed its position. Late last year ‘Touareg II’ arrived for 2011 model year. It’s new from the ground up.
Again for the second generation, Porsche Cayenne is twinned to the Touareg – it has its own petrol engines and distinct chassis dynamics but the Diesel is from VW. The partnership has worked well for both, VW sold half a million of the old Touareg world-wide and the Cayenne has consistently outsold Porsche’s own sports cars.
Again for the second generation, Porsche Cayenne is twinned to the Touareg – it has its own petrol engines and distinct chassis dynamics but the Diesel is from VW. The partnership has worked well for both, VW sold half a million of the old Touareg world-wide and the Cayenne has consistently outsold Porsche’s own sports cars.
The new Touareg is lower than before (although the driving position remains SUV-elevated) disguising the fact that it’s a bigger vehicle – usefully longer for example. The idea was to make it less of an in-your-face 4x4. It was developed before SUVs bounced back from “zero to hero” after the last two bad winters.
But this is more than a mere nod to green PC proclivities and ‘Khmer Vert’ militants, the car is over 200k/g lighter according to VW and up to 20% lighter on fuel. “Faster, lighter, more efficient than ever before” is the marketing message.
There’s a price to pay for this, of course. Porsche has ditched the transfer box and high/low ratio gearing from the Cayenne completely. It says the eight speed Tiptronic automatic ‘box (used by both) is enough for most off-road excursions.
VW on the other hand has kept it, but only on the ‘Escape’ version of the 3.0 litre V6 TDI 240ps Diesel. Other models: SE Altitude 3.0 V6 TDI 204/240; Altitude V8 4.2 V8 TDI 340; Hybrid petrol-electric 3.0 V6 TSI 333.
Surprisingly the transfer box doesn’t add weight since all three 3.0 litre Diesels tip the scales at 2179k/g (unladen). CO2 figure is slightly worse however at 199g/km (the other two 3.0 TDIs register 195g/km). But the Escape stays within the same Road Tax Group (‘J’ - £235 post first year penalty) - as does the Hybrid in fact. TDI 3.0 is the clear sales favourite, Hybrid and V8 very much a ‘minority interest’.
All versions of the Touareg, except V8, carry VW’s ‘BlueMotion’ eco-badge. Stop/start is standard as is battery regeneration. Energy from braking is turned into electricity via the alternator with a surge battery re-charge. The alternator then idles or turns off at times of low demand reducing the drain on engine power, hence better mpg.
The basic 4MOTION system with a Torsen limited slip differential is competent enough but Escape 4XMOTION brings with it locking/lockable centre and rear differentials, electrically controlled multi-plate clutch and low-range gearing giving a maximum climbing gradient of 45 degrees.
Suspension settings for the Escape are slightly higher and greater ground clearance gives improved approach and departure angles. Full Air Suspension allows further variation on and off-road. Hill Descent/Hill Start electronic aids supplement low-ratio engine (compression) braking over difficult terrain.
An additional under-engine guard also comes with the Escape together with a larger 100 (as opposed to 85) litre fuel tank - £150 visit to the petrol station is practically with us. The stop-start system can be disengaged by the driver – clearly first thing to do as one heads off the tarmac. Not re-engaging it would be tempting. These devices are irritating and counter-intuitive especially from a wear-and-tear perspective. VW, at least, allows you to regain control.
Electronic braking system (ABS, EBD, HBA) together with ESP stability control and ASR anti-slip includes ‘trailer stabilisation’ when towing and the braked weight limit stays at a useful 3,500kg. Most people would think twice before forking out for the full Air Suspension package but the electric tailgate is useful (£525) since it can be operated remotely.
Retractable towbar with 13-pin electrics (£625) should be in the deal on a vehicle like this but ‘Area View’ all-round camera display including trailer hitch assist via the audio system and linked to the parking sensors (£1,335) is a costly extra best left at that.
Audio-visual parking sensors are standard anyway. SatNav (touch-screen operation) is also a standard fit and the car is well-equipped but a long list of options can soon bump up the final price.
Touareg however is good value when compared to BMW X5, Mercedes ML, Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Discovery. It really does stack up against this top-of-the-class list too - posh badge or not.
Few of these vehicles will ever do a proper day’s work – no manual gearbox even as an option gives the game away. But Volkswagen’s Touareg Escape is a very capable 4x4 on or off-road. Build quality is first class, cabin top notch, it can reach 135mph and do 0-62 in 7.8 seconds.
Official combined fuel consumption of 37.2mpg turned out to be 27mpg (brim to brim) on test. But that should mean a pretty frugal 30+ day to day. Luxury SUVs that are “up for it” off road are becoming rare these days. VW’s Touareg Escape is an effortlessly credible 4x4 ... and it drives well too.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales
But this is more than a mere nod to green PC proclivities and ‘Khmer Vert’ militants, the car is over 200k/g lighter according to VW and up to 20% lighter on fuel. “Faster, lighter, more efficient than ever before” is the marketing message.
There’s a price to pay for this, of course. Porsche has ditched the transfer box and high/low ratio gearing from the Cayenne completely. It says the eight speed Tiptronic automatic ‘box (used by both) is enough for most off-road excursions.
VW on the other hand has kept it, but only on the ‘Escape’ version of the 3.0 litre V6 TDI 240ps Diesel. Other models: SE Altitude 3.0 V6 TDI 204/240; Altitude V8 4.2 V8 TDI 340; Hybrid petrol-electric 3.0 V6 TSI 333.
Surprisingly the transfer box doesn’t add weight since all three 3.0 litre Diesels tip the scales at 2179k/g (unladen). CO2 figure is slightly worse however at 199g/km (the other two 3.0 TDIs register 195g/km). But the Escape stays within the same Road Tax Group (‘J’ - £235 post first year penalty) - as does the Hybrid in fact. TDI 3.0 is the clear sales favourite, Hybrid and V8 very much a ‘minority interest’.
All versions of the Touareg, except V8, carry VW’s ‘BlueMotion’ eco-badge. Stop/start is standard as is battery regeneration. Energy from braking is turned into electricity via the alternator with a surge battery re-charge. The alternator then idles or turns off at times of low demand reducing the drain on engine power, hence better mpg.
The basic 4MOTION system with a Torsen limited slip differential is competent enough but Escape 4XMOTION brings with it locking/lockable centre and rear differentials, electrically controlled multi-plate clutch and low-range gearing giving a maximum climbing gradient of 45 degrees.
Suspension settings for the Escape are slightly higher and greater ground clearance gives improved approach and departure angles. Full Air Suspension allows further variation on and off-road. Hill Descent/Hill Start electronic aids supplement low-ratio engine (compression) braking over difficult terrain.
An additional under-engine guard also comes with the Escape together with a larger 100 (as opposed to 85) litre fuel tank - £150 visit to the petrol station is practically with us. The stop-start system can be disengaged by the driver – clearly first thing to do as one heads off the tarmac. Not re-engaging it would be tempting. These devices are irritating and counter-intuitive especially from a wear-and-tear perspective. VW, at least, allows you to regain control.
Electronic braking system (ABS, EBD, HBA) together with ESP stability control and ASR anti-slip includes ‘trailer stabilisation’ when towing and the braked weight limit stays at a useful 3,500kg. Most people would think twice before forking out for the full Air Suspension package but the electric tailgate is useful (£525) since it can be operated remotely.
Retractable towbar with 13-pin electrics (£625) should be in the deal on a vehicle like this but ‘Area View’ all-round camera display including trailer hitch assist via the audio system and linked to the parking sensors (£1,335) is a costly extra best left at that.
Audio-visual parking sensors are standard anyway. SatNav (touch-screen operation) is also a standard fit and the car is well-equipped but a long list of options can soon bump up the final price.
Touareg however is good value when compared to BMW X5, Mercedes ML, Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Discovery. It really does stack up against this top-of-the-class list too - posh badge or not.
Few of these vehicles will ever do a proper day’s work – no manual gearbox even as an option gives the game away. But Volkswagen’s Touareg Escape is a very capable 4x4 on or off-road. Build quality is first class, cabin top notch, it can reach 135mph and do 0-62 in 7.8 seconds.
Official combined fuel consumption of 37.2mpg turned out to be 27mpg (brim to brim) on test. But that should mean a pretty frugal 30+ day to day. Luxury SUVs that are “up for it” off road are becoming rare these days. VW’s Touareg Escape is an effortlessly credible 4x4 ... and it drives well too.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales
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