A Design Emphasizing a Sportier Impression

The Touareg has sold over 10,000 units since its launch in Japan in September 2003. This newly reborn premium SUV features the horizontal front face, the DNA of Volkswagen's latest design language. The exterior emphasizes sportiness with a more muscular and sculpted body surface. The interior blends a leather-like instrument panel with chrome and aluminum trim for a cohesive, tight, and elegant finish. Furthermore, the extended wheelbase significantly enhances rear-seat comfort. Additionally, safety features have been added while substantially reducing vehicle weight (down 70kg for the V6 model).

In terms of equipment, the newly developed RNS850 (HDD Navigation System) with a large 8-inch display and a 60GB HDD, the surround-view camera "Area View," and 9 airbags including a knee airbag (driver) and side airbags (rear seats) are standard on both V6 and Hybrid models. The Touareg Hybrid also features advanced driver assistance functions such as adaptive cruise control "ACC," front monitoring system "Front Assist," and lane keeping assist system
"Lane Assist," and lane change assist system "Side Assist."

Volkswagen's First Hybrid in the Lineup

The most noteworthy aspect is the powertrain. The Touareg Hybrid, Volkswagen's first hybrid vehicle, employs a compact and simple parallel hybrid system. A 3-liter V6 TSI unit, electric motor, and gearbox are arranged in-line, with a clutch between the engine and electric motor. The engine shuts off during low-speed or low-load driving, enabling zero-emission travel. Furthermore, regenerative braking during deceleration recovers energy, ensuring power performance comparable to the previous V8 engine while achieving a fuel economy of 13.8 km/L under the 10-15 mode. The V6 FSI engine model also achieves high fuel efficiency of 9.5 km/L, a 38% improvement over the previous model.

The Touareg V6 features "4X MOTION," renowned for its rough road capability. This system uses a planetary gear in the center differential and an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch to control rotational differences of the drive wheels. During normal driving, torque is distributed 50:50 front to rear. Additionally, the EDS (Electronic Differential Lock System) uses brakes to absorb rotational differences between the left and right wheels, suppressing wheelspin. This system allows the driving force distribution between the front and rear wheels to vary from 0:100 to 100:0. Furthermore, in addition to the reduction gear and center differential lock, a rear differential lock, a first for the Touareg, is also employed, providing a wide range of capability from high-speed driving to rough roads.

In contrast, the Touareg Hybrid prioritizes eco-friendliness over hardcore rough road performance. It is relatively lightweight and uses Volkswagen's familiar full-time four-wheel-drive system, "4MOTION."

The price for the Touareg Hybrid is 8.98 million yen, and for the Touareg V6, it is 6.23 million yen. Despite the enhanced equipment, the price increases are limited to 880,000 yen and 240,000 yen, respectively, compared to the previous V8 and V6 models. Both grades are also eligible for eco-car tax reductions, with approximately 480,000 yen (100%) reduction for the hybrid model and approximately 170,000 yen (50%) for the V6 FSI model.

Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid
Body | Length 4,800 x Width 1,945 x Height 1,740mm
Engine | 3.0-liter V6 DOHC (4 valves) supercharged with intercooler + motor
Maximum Output | 245kW (333ps) / 5,500-6,500rpm
Maximum Torque | 440Nm (44.9kgm) / 3,000-5,250rpm
Vehicle Weight | 2,340kg (2,380kg with electric panoramic sunroof)
Drivetrain | 4MOTION (Full-time 4WD)
Transmission | 8-speed AT
10-15 Mode Fuel Economy | 13.8L/100km
CO2 Emissions | 168g/km
Price | 8.98 million yen

Volkswagen Touareg V6
Body | Length 4,800 x Width 1,945 x Height 1,740mm
Engine | 3.6-liter V6 DOHC (4 valves)
Maximum Output | 206kW (280ps) / 6,200rpm
Maximum Torque | 360Nm (36.7kgm) / 2,900-4,000rpm
Vehicle Weight | 2,190kg (2,200kg with CDC air suspension, 2,230kg with electric panoramic sunroof)
Drivetrain | 4XMOTION (Full-time 4WD)
Transmission | 8-speed AT
10-15 Mode Fuel Economy | 9.5L/100km
CO2 Emissions | 244g/km
Price | 6.23 million yen