Volkswagen Touareg 2011

Volkswagen Touareg is faster, lighter and better built than its predecessor, as well as massively well equipped.There's a huge amount of technology built into this new Touareg, which is bristling with cameras, sensors and proximity detectors. Volkswagen unveiled its heavily upgraded 2011 Touareg today at the Geneva Motor Show. Thoroughly re-engineered inside and out, the next Touareg is truly a new vehicle. The outgoing VW Touareg was often referred to as a hulking brute because of its sheer size and (some would say) excessive weight. Coupled with the outgoing model’s available V10 TDI, the Touareg was everything a hulking brute of an SUV could be.

Lighter, more aerodynamic and more fuel efficient

For 2011, VW had a different vision for the off-road capable SUV – VW envisioned a more modern vehicle that made use of lighter weight, more aerodynamic and fuel efficient design. To achieve this, VW shaved 208 kilograms off of the base version, while increasing torsional rigidity by 5 percent – maintaining its spot as a class leader. To achieve the fuel economy numbers customers are demanding, VW put them gave special attention to the Cd value of the vehicle, and reduced its aerodynamic drag. VW also lowered the stance slightly, which also improves fuel economy and road handling. The final step was to make an eight-speed automatic transmission standard with all engines – a market segment first.

The base engine for the new Touareg will be a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel resulting in 238 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the new eight-speed automatic transmission, VW says this will achieve a very respectable 38.1 mpg on the European cycle (Imperial gallons).

Next in line is a 4.2-liter V8 TDi with a healthy 337 hp and a whopping 590 lb-ft. of torque – still achieving 31 mpg on the combined cycle. This engine replaces the now discontinued V10 that previously was the range-topping engine. Although no V10, this V8 is no slouch either – reporting a zero-to-62 sprint in just six seconds flat, and capable of 155 mph computer-governed top speed. VW is also premiering a new, more efficient gasoline V6. Producing 276 horsepower, the TSI V6 is capable of averaging about 23 mpg in the European combined cycle, according to the automaker.

VW will also be offering a hybrid offering that makes use of a supercharged 3.3-liter V6 that produces 329 hp, mated to a 46 hp electric motor. Peak output is 375 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, with zero-to-62 in just 6.5 seconds while still offering 34.4 mpg. VW says this SUV will be capable of accelerating to 30 mph without any gasoline in pure EV mode. North American-specification motors haven’t been announced, but we’re pretty confident that the V6 TDI and a pair of V6 and V8 gasoline engines will be on offer and, eventually, the hybrid.