The updated VW Touareg has finally landed on local soil, reaffirming its position as the flagship of the Volkswagen brand.
The new SUV is a showcase of all the best features one can expect from the Wolfsburg-based automaker, though this naturally comes with a considerable asking price.
The Touareg is sold in two specifications – Elegance and R-Line – and you’ll have to pay a minimum of R1,763,900 if you want to see all the nice-to-haves included in the brochure – not including the many optional extras.
With all this in mind, it’s worth examining VW’s latest creation to see exactly what it has to offer as the leading figure of the manufacturer’s stable in South Africa.
What you get
The facelifted SUV is holding onto its current powertrain, taking the form of a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel V6 with a potent 190kW and 600Nm.
The carmaker’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is used to transmit this power to the tarmac via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This setup allows the Touareg to reach a top speed of 206km/h, and accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds despite having a gross weight of 2.7 tonnes.
Its substantial torque figure also means that it can tow up to 3,500kg, a process made easier by a Trailer Assist function.
The top-spec R-Line additionally benefits from all-wheel-steering, which reduces the SUV’s turning circle at low speeds for greater maneuverability in tight spaces, and air suspension with automatic self-leveling for heightened levels of comfort.
The visual overhaul of the VW involves a set of new IQ.Light HD Matrix LED headlights, which can illuminate the road ahead while adjusting the beam’s direction to avoid dazzling oncoming motorists.
It also has L-shaped daytime running lights, a continual LED strip for the rear lamps, an illuminated VW badge, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
The R-Line then gets a handful of unique cosmetics including bespoke bumpers, illuminated scuff plates, and R badges both inside and out.
Shifting to the interior, you’ll find a dashboard with an updated 12-inch digital driver display and the 15-inch Discover Pro Max infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as voice commands and onboard navigation.
The front Sport seats feature Varenna leather upholstery, massage and heating functions, electric adjustment, and memory settings for the various drivers’ preferred seating positions.
Other fittings include USB-C ports with a charging capacity of 45W, three-zone ambient lighting with 30 colour selections, stainless steel pedals, a wireless charging pad, four-zone climate control, a leather heated multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, keyless entry and start, and a panoramic sunroof.
Assistance functions, meanwhile, comprise a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, tyre-pressure monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, a speed limiter, and adaptive cruise control.
Every purchase of the new Touareg comes with a 3-year/120,000km warranty and a 5-year/100,000km maintenance plan.
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