Volkswagen launches new Touareg SUV at Rs. 58.5 lakh

Volkswagen India has launched the new Touareg, a premium SUV, priced at Rs. 58.5 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. The Volkswagen Touareg is being imported as a completely built unit and will reach Volkswagen showrooms in India next week.

This all new Touareg replaces the existing models in India (the older V10 and V6 Touaregs) and will come in only one variant with a 3-litre V6 diesel engine.

Looks, fit and finish

The new 2012 Volkswagen Touareg is 41 mm longer and 12 mm wider than the outgoing model. It is a large SUV that can seat seven and looks purposeful with bi-xenon headlamps and a large chrome surrounded grille with the VW badge prominently placed. It comes with daytime running lamps and large 18-inch alloy wheels, purpose built roof-rails and a panoramic sunroof that takes up almost the entire roof space.

The interiors look bright and airy thanks to the sunroof. It comes with Vienna leather upholstery and wood finish on the dashboard and door panels. It also has footwell lighting and a center arm rest that has storage space under it.

The vehicle is available in seven colors: white, black, silver, blue, brown, grey and off-white.

Comfort and features

The Touareg features four-zone automatic climate control for front and rear seat passengers. It also has a 6 CD changer with 8 speakers. The car rides on an air-suspension system with electronic ride control. The fronts seats get 14-way electronic adjustments. Other features include parking sensors, cruise control and hill-hold control, along with an intelligent all-wheel drive system. Safety features include 8 airbags, ABS, ESP, immobilizer and all-round disc brakes.

Engine and performance

The Volkswagen Touareg comes with a 3-litre, six-cylinder engine that puts out 244 bhp of power at 3800-4400 rpm and a peak torque of 550 Nm at 1750-2250 rpm, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen claims the Touareg gives a mileage of 12.08 kmpl (ARAI-certified).

The Touareg will compete with vehicles like the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. It is competitively priced and is loaded with features. The Touareg is a vehicle that can handle rough roads and long-distance cruising comfortably, and is targeted at buyers looking for an exclusive, feature-rich, lifestyle SUV.