Four years after it was introduced, Volkswagen has introduced its second generation Touareg. According to the German company, the new model boasts 2,300 new parts with an entirely new front end and is the first SUV with standard ABSplus for shorter off-road braking distance. The Touareg also has new automatic cruise control (ACC) and front and side scan for even greater safety and is the first Volkswagen with direct-injection V8 FSI .

Volkswagen's V8 FSI Engine

The Touareg is the first Volkswagen to offer an eight cylinder direct-injection engine (V8 FSI, 257 kW/350 HP). The new 32-valve V8 develops a substantial torque of 440 Newton-meter (at 3,500 rpm) and attains a top speed of up to 244 km/h (with air suspension). The power level below the new V8 FSI is occupied by the V6 FSI at 206 kW/280 HP that is closely related technically.

Volkswagen also offers turbo direct injection (TDI ) engines for the new Touareg. All TDIs for the SUV are equipped with a standard diesel particulate filter (DPF). The three turbo-diesel direct-injection engines offer power outputs of 128 kW/174 HP (R5 TDI), 165 kW/225 HP (V6 TDI) and 230 kW/313 HP (V10 TDI).

Technological Innovations

The new ABSplus system shortens the Touareg's braking distance on loose surfaces - i.e. especially in off-road duty - by up to 20 per cent. In addition, the automatic cruise Control system (ACC) with new follow-to-stop function automatically brakes and accelerates the car up to a vehicle speed defined by the driver. The system can brake the car to a full stop if required by the traffic situation.

The Touareg is equipped with a powerful 600 Watt sound system from the Danish hi-fi specialist Dynaudio to offer high-end entertainment area too. The sound system was developed jointly by Volkswagen and Dynaudio.

Safety Features

The front scan environment monitoring system is integrated with automatic distance control to prevent collisions. The system uses a radar sensor to monitor distances to other cars in traffic ahead of the Touareg. When thecar approaches another vehicle too closely the system informs the driver in two stages. Simultaneously, the vehicle is prepared for possible hard braking by the driver. The system preventatively "arms" the brakes in advance of certain situations. The side scan lane change assistant monitors areas behind and next to the Touareg and informs the driver of potential risk of collision via an indicator lamp in the outside mirrors.

For the first time, models with air

suspension can be equipped with an innovative sport chassis. The so-called driving dynamics - package with roll compensation supplements the already existing "Sport" mode of the manual and automatically controllable air suspension by adding a stiffer spring characteristic. The system counteracts body roll of the car when cornering by actuating the electronically controlled dampers.

All-wheel drive and six-speed gearbox

The Touareg is shifted by six-speed gearboxes, either manual or automatic depending on the engine variant. Power is transmitted to the 4XMOTION all-wheel drive via a transfer case with switched extra low off-road gearing. There the power is transmitted through front axle, rear axle and centre differentials. The centre differential has a standard lock; on the rear axle differential locking is a special option. In the normal case, under balanced power and roadway conditions, the power distribution is 50:50. Depending on the driving situation up to 100 percent of the propulsive power may be transmitted to just one of the two axles. An electronic differential lock (EDS) acting on all four wheels enables fine distribution of propulsive power.

Chassis with steel or air suspension

The double wishbone configurations at the front and rear axles with subframes for acoustic isolation guarantee the noise and comfort levels of a luxury sedan; additionally precise wheel location delivers remarkably good driving precision. Air suspension that is standard on the Touareg V10 TDI and W12 offers an extraordinarily high level of ride comfortwith its continuous, speed-dependent electronic damping control. Off-road the air suspension also provides for exceptional ground clearance. Air suspension is also available on five, six and eight cylinder models as an option.