The most expensive VW in South Africa will set you back R1.8 million.
Enter the VW Touareg R-Line, the range-topping version of the German carmaker’s flagship SUV series.
The Touareg last received an update in 2024 and is currently available in two specifications.
Prices start at R1,491,300 for the Elegance variant, but you’ll have to spend up to R1,799,200 to get the version that bears VW’s R racing credentials.
While the Touareg isn’t a performance car, it does have the stats to keep up with models like the VW Golf GTI, all while delivering the comforts you’d expect from a vehicle of this status.
What VW’s most expensive car has to offer
Under the hood is a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel (TDI) engine, which generates a substantial 190kW and 600Nm.
An eight-speed automatic transmission distributes this power to all four wheels via the permanent 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, which results in an average fuel consumption of 7.8l/100km.
The end result is an impressive 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.5 seconds – not bad for an SUV that weighs 2.7 tonnes.
For reference, these are the 0-100km/h times for Volkswagen’s hot hatchbacks:
- VW Polo GTI – 6.5 seconds
- VW Golf GTI – 5.9 seconds
- VW Golf R – 4.8 seconds
It’s also worth noting that the Touareg can tow up to 3,500kg, and features air suspension with automatic self levelling for greater comfort.
Additionally, it has all-wheel steering, which drastically improves its maneuverability at low speeds.
This is quite helpful considering that the Touareg is the largest VW SUV on sale in South Africa, as shown below:
| Dimension | VW T-Cross | VW Tiguan | VW Tayron | VW Touareg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,135mm | 4,539mm | 4,792mm | 4,878mm |
| Width | 1,760mm | 1,843mm | 1,853mm | 2,193mm |
| Height | 1,573mm | 1,635mm | 1n668mm | 1,697mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,551mm | 2,676mm | 2,788mm | 2,904mm |
| Ground clearance | 188mm | 191mm | 205mm | 215mm |
As for its equipment sheet, the flagship SUV comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, an illuminated VW badge, rain-sensing wipers, and IQ.Light HD Matrix LED headlights that can adjust their beams to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers.
The R-Line model also has bespoke visuals inspired by the brand’s R performance division, including unique bumpers, illuminated scuff plates, and R badges.
Other functions include keyless entry and start, a heated leather Sport multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, four-zone climate control, electric front seats with memory settings, R-branded Varenna leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, aluminium pedals, and 30-colour ambient lighting.
The front seats also have heating, ventilation, and massage settings.
The dashboard is dominated by a 12-inch digital driver display and a 15-inch infotainment screen, the latter of which features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Discover Pro onboard navigation.
Assistance functions include rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, tyre-pressure monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, a speed limiter, and adaptive cruise control.
On top of all this is a list of optional extras that offers things like a 12-speaker stereo, a heads-up display, and the Travel Assist package with lane-keep assist and front cross-traffic monitoring.
VW Touareg
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