The new Touareg

Update for the VW flagship model: new Touareg is launched with high-end quality and technologies

Superior design: sharpened look thanks to new front and rear
High-resolution light: first Volkswagen with IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights
Enhanced running gear: larger spread between agility and comfort
Refined vehicle interior: made for the long journeys of this world
Most powerful Volkswagen: Touareg R eHybrid drives electrically with 462 PS in everyday use

The Touareg is the all-rounder in the large SUV category – the perfect combination of touring car, towing vehicle and off-roader. Volkswagen has now technically and visually enhanced a host of details of the premium-class model. As the first Volkswagen, the new Touareg is available with interactive IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights¹. HD stands for High Definition – a new light system with more than 38,000 multipixel LEDs. At the rear, the update can be recognised by new LED tail light clusters with a horizontal LED strip between them and the Volkswagen badge¹, also illuminated in red. A new roof load sensor and enhanced running gear systems increase the spectrum between highest comfort and maximum performance. The high-quality interior has also been refined. The Touareg is again available with powerful turbocharged petrol and diesel engines and with two plug-in hybrid drives. At the top of the range: the Touareg R eHybrid^4/5 with 340 kW (462 PS). The exceptional SUV designed by Volkswagen R can be driven with purely electric power on short journeys.

On-road and off-road all-rounder. More than 1.13 million Touaregs have been sold so far. With the technical and visual enhancement, a new evolutionary stage of the premium SUV is now being launched. Imelda Labbé, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, says: “The new Touareg impresses with top quality and outstanding comfort. We have again systematically implemented the wishes of our customers in this model – sharpening the design, making operation even more intuitive, and enhancing the excellent driving characteristics. The result is a true all-rounder that will excite on-road, off-road and naturally also as a first-class towing vehicle.”

Technology pioneer. Future-oriented technologies have always made their debut in the Touareg – know-how that also benefits the smaller vehicle classes. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Development, says: “The Touareg has always been a technology pioneer for us, allowing us to transfer new developments into other brand vehicles as part of a top-down strategy. And we are following the same approach with the new Touareg. It is the first Volkswagen model to be launched with the newly developed HD matrix headlights – one of the best lighting systems in the world. More than 38,000 multipixel LEDs project a light carpet exactly onto the driving lane and illuminate the road more precisely than ever before. Following the Touareg, our new Tiguan and thus the next-smaller SUV class will be equipped with the HD matrix headlights.”

Fusion of technological systems. The Touareg is equipped with a new roof load sensor that is closely integrated with the running gear electronics. This offers the benefit of increased agility. If a roof box is fitted, the sensor detects this and passes on the information to assist systems such as Electronic Stability Control. This system then in turn intervenes earlier to increase driving stability. In contrast, the systems³ allow sportier performance than before if there is no roof load. For Jochen Reichel, Head of Driving Dynamics, Steering and Control Systems, it is this interaction of all technologies that is a standout feature of the new Touareg: “Thanks to the roof load sensor, we have been able to further increase the spread between maximum comfort and optimum performance. As part of this, the enhanced coordination of the running gear and control systems ensures greater stability and precision in both dynamic and comfort-oriented driving situations. Particularly in combination with running gear control systems such as active roll compensation¹ and all-wheel steering¹, the Touareg now offers even greater driving dynamics than before.”

Large range of assist systems^2/3. Numerous assist systems² ensure additional comfort and safety on board the Touareg. These include standard technologies such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC stop & go), Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), rear view camera system, lane keeping system (Lane Assist), Dynamic Road Sign Display and Park Assist with Park Distance Control. Optionally on board: Travel Assist^1/3 (assisted driving up to maximum speed), Area View^1/3 (surround view shown on the infotainment system display), Park Assist Pro with remote parking capability^1/3 (via app for automatic driving into and out of parking spaces using a smartphone), Trailer Assist^1/3 (assisted manoeuvring with trailer) and Night Vision^1/3.

Striking design update. The new generation of the premium SUV will be offered in the Touareg² versions (basic model), the two equivalent but differently positioned exclusive lines Elegance² (refined style) and R-Line² (sporty), and an independent flagship model, the Touareg R eHybrid^2/4/5. The Touareg Elegance, Touareg R-Line and Touareg R eHybrid are characterised by a newly designed front. Here, the unit formed by the radiator grille and headlights and the front apron have been given a new look. Particularly striking: the new IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights¹. With three light modules and thus three light points on each side, they create an unmistakable day and night light design. The new high-tech headlights are on board the Touareg Elegance, Touareg R-Line and Touareg R eHybrid as standard². The centre horizontal strip in the radiator grille is also illuminated for the first time on the Touareg. Another unique feature of all Touareg versions is the newly designed rear, which now has a continuous horizontal LED strip for the tail light clusters and, in combination with the IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights, a Volkswagen badge¹ illuminated in red is incorporated for the first time.

Key aspects

THE NEW TOUAREG R eHYBRID IN DETAIL:

THE SPECIFIC DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT FEATURES

Touareg by Volkswagen R². An outstanding feature of the Touareg R eHybrid^4/5 is its exceptionally high system power of 340 kW (462 PS). Peter Jost, Head of Marketing & Sales at Volkswagen R, says: “The latest generation of the Touareg R continues the long tradition of extremely high-performance SUVs from Volkswagen R. This started in 2007 with the 350 PS Touareg R50¹⁰. Today, an efficient six-cylinder plug-in hybrid drive makes the performance SUV designed by Volkswagen R the most powerful Volkswagen model worldwide. The system power of 462 PS is accompanied by a maximum system torque of 700 newton metres. The effortless way in which our Touareg R pulls a 3.5-tonne trailer or offers the highest ride comfort on long journeys is simply fascinating. In line with the times, this outstanding performance is optimised by the fact that the Touareg R can cover distances of around 50 kilometres under purely electric power. With this model we are initiating the transition of Volkswagen R into the world of electric mobility.”

R design of the front end. Alongside the high-end powertrain, the Touareg R eHybrid includes specific design elements as well as customised and extended standard equipment. The bumper of the Touareg R eHybrid has been given a completely individual design. Here, horizontal bars in high-gloss black are positioned over the especially large air intakes.

R design of the sides and rear. At the sides, the new 21-inch wheels in Leeds design (optionally in black or black with diamond-cut finish) immediately catch the eye. The Touareg R eHybrid (and Touareg R-Line) can again be optionally ordered with 22-inch Estoril¹ wheels (also in black or in black with diamond-cut finish). A typical R feature can be recognised at first glance between the spokes: the blue brake calipers with the new silver R logo.

Exclusive R colours. When the doors are opened and closed in the dark, the surround lighting of the exterior mirror housing projects the R logo onto the road. As the only model, the Touareg R eHybrid is equipped with black tailpipes. In addition to the traditional R colour Lapiz Blue metallic¹ a matt paint finish, the new Silicon Grey matt¹, is now exclusively available for the Touareg R eHybrid.

R equipment features². Like all models from Volkswagen R, the Touareg R eHybrid comes with highly customised and extended standard equipment. This includes the following specific R details (excerpt):

Exterior

Brake calipers in painted blue finish with silver R logo (new)
22-inch Estoril alloy wheels (optional)
21-inch Leeds alloy wheels (new, standard)
19-inch Tirano alloy wheels (new, optional instead of 21-inch wheels)
R logo projection via exterior mirror housings as surround lighting (new)
Bumper in R styling, front air intakes with black slats
Trim strips in high-gloss black on the side windows

Interior

Blue contrasting stitching in the interior
Sill panel mouldings in stainless steel, illuminated, with R logo at the front
Vehicle key with leather-covered cap and R logo
Comfort leather seats in Vienna design (Puglia optional) with R logo at the front
Start screen of the navigation system with R logo

Glass roof², four-zone Climatronic² and background lighting². Like the Touareg eHybrid, the Touareg R eHybrid is equipped with a tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof and four-zone automatic air conditioner. The top model also has 30-colour background lighting that can be adjusted in three zones (new: including footwell and drink holder illumination). The three zones can be configured in two different colours: colour selection 1 for the illuminated trims and footwell, colour selection 2 for the light edges, drink holders and main display colour. The tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof and four-zone Climatronic can be optionally ordered for all other Touareg versions. The 30-colour background lighting is optionally available for the Touareg Elegance and Touareg R-Line as part of an ambient package that also includes illuminated stainless steel sill panel mouldings.

THE PLUG-IN HYBRID DRIVE

Efficient electric performance. In the Touareg eHybrid^4/5, a 100 kW (136 PS) electric motor, a V6 turbocharged petrol engine with 250 kW (340 PS and 2,995 cm³) and a high-voltage lithium-ion battery (gross energy content: 17.9 kWh) form the central elements of the plug-in hybrid drive. The system power of the Touareg R is 340 kW (462 PS) and the maximum system torque is 700 Nm. The SUV is electronically governed at a top speed of 250 km/h and completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km in 5.1 seconds. However, more decisive than the classic top speed and acceleration performance disciplines is the confidence with which this Touareg model picks up the pace at any engine speed thanks to the alliance of the electric drive motor and V6 engine – a powerful cruiser that can pull trailer weights of up to 3.5 tonnes and still impress with low consumption values. All the hybrid functions described below also apply to the Touareg eHybrid^4/6.

Hybrid plus all-wheel drive. The electric drive motor and V6 TSI are integrated in the engine compartment in the front. The lithium-ion battery is installed in the underbody of the 655-litre luggage compartment. The power electronics convert the direct current of the battery into alternating current for the electric drive motor. In both cases, an 8-speed automatic gearbox (with Tiptronic) and a transfer box transmit power to the front and rear axles (4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive). A centre differential lock with asymmetric dynamic torque distribution (Torsen) acts as a transfer box for the flow of forces between the front and rear axle. A maximum of 70 percent of the drive force reaches the front axle and up to 80 percent reaches the rear axle.

All-electric drive up to 135 km/h. When started, the Touareg R eHybrid initially uses only the electric motor if the battery is sufficiently charged. This ensures that the SUV comes as close to zero emissions as possible, especially on short journeys. The Touareg R eHybrid can be driven in all-electric mode at a speed of up to 135 km/h; above this, the V6 TSI combustion engine is activated automatically – or at any time using kickdown. The system then changes from EV mode to Hybrid mode. On long journeys, it makes sense to directly change over to this mode as the combination of both engines results in low average consumption and very high combined ranges. If the navigation system equipped as standard is used for guidance to the destination and Hybrid mode is selected, a predictive hybrid strategy is activated that can further optimise the range. What’s more, thanks to the configurable Hybrid mode, sufficient electric energy can be reserved even on longer journeys so that the final distance to an urban destination can be covered with zero local emissions. At the start of the journey, the driver simply enters the percentage of the battery capacity that must be reserved in the infotainment system.

Quick driving profile changeover. The driver also controls the driving profile selection using the 4MOTION Active Control. This driving experience control in the centre console allows the driver to select profiles directly. Onroad profiles are selected by turning the control to the left. If the control is turned to the right, the off-road profiles are opened. If the separate Menu button is pressed, it is also possible to access the driving profile selection via the infotainment system. The Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual profiles for on-road driving and the Offroad and Snow profiles for off-road driving are available as standard for both selection methods. All the listed driving profiles are also offered by the less powerful Touareg versions.

THE NEW TOUAREG PRODUCT LINE IN DETAIL:

ALL DRIVE AND EQUIPMENT VERSIONS

Petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The new Touareg is available in five powertrain versions. These all come with 3.0-litre V6 engines: one turbocharged petrol engine (250 kW^4/7/340 PS), two turbodiesel engines (170 kW^4/8/231 PS and 210 kW^4/9/286 PS) and two plug-in hybrid drives (V6 petrol engine plus electric drive motor). The plug-in hybrid drive of the Touareg eHybrid develops a system power of 280 kW^4/6 (381 PS); on board the Touareg R eHybrid, the system delivers an output of 340 kW^4/5 (462 PS). All engines are paired as standard with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive system.
⇒ In Belgium the following engines will be available: Plug-in Hybrid 381PS (combined), Diesel 286PS and soon the Touareg R eHybrid.

Basic², Elegance², R-Line² and R model². In terms of equipment, the new Touareg will be offered in a basic version and in the two exclusive lines Elegance and R-Line. The flagship model is positioned above these: the distinctive and sporty Touareg R eHybrid developed by Volkswagen R.
⇒ in Belgium the 'Basic' version will not be available.

Basic version². (not available in Belgium)
The general standard equipment includes the following features (except):

Air Care Climatronic (two-zone automatic air conditioner)
Digital Innovision Cockpit
Electric luggage compartment cover
Electrically operated tailgate
LED tail light clusters
LED headlights
Multifunction camera
Multifunction steering wheel in leather
Discover Pro Max navigation system
Keyless Go keyless starting system
Heated front seats

The following assist systems are also on board as standard (excerpt):

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)¹
Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist)¹
Park Assist¹
Rear view camera system¹
Lane keeping system (Lane Assist)¹
Dynamic Road Sign Display¹

Elegance² and R-Line². The following details supplement the equipment here (excerpt):

Background lighting with white-illuminated trims in new design
illuminated Volkswagen badge (new)
Interior trims in specific design (updated)
IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights (new)
IQ.LIGHT LED tail light clusters with dynamic brake and turn signal function and
Radiator grille in specific design (new)
Leather seats, electrically adjustable
Alloy wheels in specific design (updated)
Bumpers in specific design (new)
Volkswagen logo projection via exterior mirror housings as surround lighting (new)

R². The Touareg R eHybrid is positioned above all other versions as the flagship model of the product line and therefore also essentially includes all their basic equipment. As outlined on pages 3 and 4 of this Media Information, the flagship model customised by Volkswagen R has a host of features that differentiate it from the Touareg, Elegance and R-Line specifications.

THE NEW IQ.LIGHT HD MATRIX HEADLIGHTS

Intelligent light. The IQ.LIGHT HD LED matrix headlights¹ are a technical highlight in the new Touareg and are used in a Volkswagen for the first time in the world. HD stands for high definition and refers here to a sea of extremely bright pixels generated by 38,432 multipixel LEDs. They illuminate the road better than ever before and thus optimise comfort and safety for driver and passengers. There are 19,216 LEDs distributed on each side of the vehicle to the new triple headlights of the Touareg. Among other things, the matrix system optionally projects an interactive light carpet onto the lane of the premium SUV – the Lane Light. This Lane Light³ makes driving at night even more comfortable and makes it easier to drive through narrow motorway road works in the dark because the bright light carpet follows the lane with magnet-like precision. The glare-free main beam is a further benefit of the new headlights: this continuous main beam³ can be left switched on outside built-up areas because the interactive LEDs make sure that the masking area for oncoming traffic and vehicles driving in front is more precise than ever before³. Together with the LED tail light clusters the driver can also configure three differently animated Coming and Leaving Home lighting effects.

High-tech details. The three modules in each headlight all perform their own tasks. A bi-matrix module is located on the outside with 16 LED pixels for the surround lighting and additional main beam. The actual HD matrix module is located in the middle with 19,200 individually controllable multipixel LEDs that allow various new light functions to be used. Located on the inside is a reflector for the static and dynamic cornering light functions and the poor weather light. All three modules generate one light point each; together with the three L-shaped LED elements for the daytime running light and the horizontal LED strip in the radiator grille that extends to under the headlights, this results in a unique light design.

Night Vision: in combination with the Night Vision¹ assist system – which detects people and animals by a thermal imaging camera and shows them in the digital instruments (Digital Cockpit) and corresponding warning signals in the optional head-up display¹ – the HD matrix lighting of the Touareg is one of the best lighting and night vision systems³ in the world. The Night Vision system also includes a marker light that briefly illuminates people in the potential danger area with a particularly bright light to warn them without dazzling them and to make them even more visible to the driver³. The combination of IQ.LIGHT HD LED matrix headlights and Night Vision can help in earlier recognition and mitigation of dangerous situations³.

THE ENHANCED INTERIOR

Enhanced vehicle interior². The Touareg is equipped as standard with the Innovision Cockpit – an intuitive combination of digital instruments (Digital Cockpit, display diagonal 30.5 cm, 1,920 x 720 pixels) and the Discover Pro Max high-end infotainment system with a central touchscreen (display diagonal 38.1 cm, 1,920 x 1,020 pixels). As a ‘one-screen design’, the two displays form a continuous digital landscape on one viewing and operating axis. Among other things, the Innovision Cockpit now offers lane-level navigation and high-resolution HD map data. The voice control system of the Touareg is also based on a new development level. App integration via smartphone and App Connect (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto) can now also take place wirelessly. Volkswagen has upgraded the buttons and the thumb wheel for volume control in the centre console – they are now finished in high-gloss black. In addition, Volkswagen has redesigned the illuminated trims in the dash panel and added the Touareg logo as a finishing touch in the Elegance and R-Line versions and Touareg R.

Higher charging capacity for laptops and other devices². New USB-C connections with a charging capacity of 45 watts (previously 15 watts) permit significantly faster charging of electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets or laptops. The optional cockpit features include a powerful 730-watt Dynaudio sound system¹ and a head-up display¹ (virtual screen size: 217 x 88 mm).

Ideal for long distances. The Touareg is extremely comfortable. Its high quality standard has been enhanced on the basis of customer feedback and a number of details adapted. For example, the top sections of the interior door panels now have attractive double decorative seams. The side trims of the centre console are now made of a haptically enhanced foamed material and have double seams; the contact surfaces for the knees are therefore softer.

THE ENHANCED RUNNING GEAR

More agility, shorter braking distance. The running gear of the Touareg is based on a new development level. Among other things, a roof load sensor is now used that is closely integrated with the vehicle electronics. This makes it possible to transfer higher transverse forces and thus increase road agility in interaction with the control systems and running gear hardware. The air suspension running gear that is standard in the Touareg R eHybrid and otherwise optional has also been enhanced. The new elements include stiffer stabilisers (for lower shock absorber forces for roll support) and stiffer rear-axle shock absorber mounts. A new hydraulic shock absorber system ensures improved tyre comfort, optimised acoustics, better body levelling, more direct steering response³ and better steering precision. The steering itself was provided with new software and a new set-up and therefore now provides even better feedback with an improved vehicle response from the centre position.

New running gear level. Thanks to the use of new running gear components and the modified set-up for important control systems – such as in the area of the rear wheel steering¹, active roll compensation¹ and ESC – it has been possible to raise the comfort and driving dynamics to a new level. In specific terms, the interaction of all measures means the Touareg offers much more agile and precise handling in combination with the highest ride comfort. New 21-inch performance tyres¹ are available as an option to further improve handling and braking characteristics. In combination with the 21-inch performance tyres, the Touareg TDI with 210 kW will also now have an 18-inch instead of 17-inch brake system on board; the petrol and plug-in hybrid versions are always equipped with an 18-inch brake system.

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