Volkswagen Touareg R
Volkswagen has given the Touareg some high-tech trickery, and a sporty R badge
There was once a time when the Volkswagen Touareg was the final name in SUV performance. While most won’t recall that the V10-engined Touareg once towed a 747 jumbo jet with ease, they will likely remember the television commercial that featured Arno Claasten’s ‘Another Universe’.
That was a long-time ago, and since then the Touareg has soldiered on, much to the delight of its loyal fans. But since Volkswagen is on a mission to add an R to every model line-up, it seems that fortune has once again shined down on the Touareg.
This is the new Touareg R and is the hottest version of the new Touareg range. Much like other Volkswagen models that carrier the high-performance R badge, the Touareg R is the sportiest and quickest model in its line-up.
What makes it even more interesting, is that it is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The petrol-electric set-up is essentially the same one that has already been seen in the latest Porsche Cayenne and Panamera. It comprises a 250kw turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 mated to a 100kw electric motor that sits between the engine and the 8-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox and is powered by a 14.1kWh battery mounted beneath the boot floor. The combined power output is 340kw, while total torque is a muscular 700nm.
Performance figures have yet to be confirmed but expect the 0-100kph sprint to take around 5.0sec and an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. Unlike the Golf R, it has no Race mode; and in normal running, up to 80% of the engine’s torque can be sent to the front axle and up to 70% to the rear axle. In electric-mode, the Touareg R can be driven at speeds up to 140kph, before the V6 kicks in; and has been homologated for a maximum trailer weight of 3.5 tons.
While 340kw will hardly see it bothering high-performance SUVs like the BMW X5 M, Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S, and Porsche Cayenne Turbo S; the sporty Touareg R is targeting a very different market. Whilst performance-based, it isn’t as ‘compromising’ and ‘raw’ as the Cayenne – which it shares it platform with. Instead, it goes up against models like the Volvo XC90 T8 and the Audi SQ7.
The Touareg R can be distinguished by the addition of R badges, a subtle body kit and gloss black inserts, its standard 20-inch Braga wheels (or optional 22-inch Estoril wheels), and its Lapiz Blue paint job. Inside, R logos are embossed on grey-piped leather seats and there’s piano black trim for the dashboard, centre console, and doors.
At this stage, the Touareg R is unlikely to be released in South Africa.
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: What does the Volkswagen Touareg R cost in South Africa?
The Volkswagen Touareg R starts at around R1,850,000 in South Africa, making it one of the pricier performance SUVs on our market but still undercutting the Germans by a fair margin.
Q: How much power does the Touareg R have?
The Touareg R produces a combined 340kW and 700Nm from its petrol-electric hybrid setup, which includes a 250kW turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 and a 100kW electric motor.
Q: Is the Volkswagen Touareg R a hybrid?
Yes, the Touareg R is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with a 14.1kWh battery that allows pure electric driving up to 140kph before the V6 petrol engine kicks in.
Q: How fast is the Touareg R compared to other performance SUVs?
The Touareg R hits 0-100kph in around 5.0 seconds with a top speed of 250kph, making it quick but not quite as savage as the BMW X5 M or Mercedes-AMG equivalents.
Q: Can the Touareg R tow heavy loads?
Absolutely, the Touareg R is homologated for a maximum trailer weight of 3.5 tons, so it can handle serious towing duties while still delivering performance.
Should You Buy It?
The Volkswagen Touareg R at around R1,850,000 is a compelling choice if you want a performance SUV that doesn't drink fuel like a thirsty bakkie. While it might not have the outright savagery of a BMW X5 M or Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S, the hybrid setup gives you the best of both worlds: proper performance when you want it and the ability to cruise silently in electric mode when you don't. The 340kW output is nothing to sneeze at, and that 700Nm torque figure means serious grunt for overtaking or towing the boat. Yes, you should buy it if you want a high-tech performance SUV that's slightly different from the usual German suspects, but maybe wait for a proper test drive to see if the hybrid complexity is worth the fuel savings for your driving style.
