Volkswagen is getting ready to launch an expanded Touareg SUV range, with more efficient six-cylinder engines at the bottom end of the line-up and a turbocharged V8 flagship.
Gone is the current V6 diesel engine from the Amarok, described by Volkswagen’s director of customer experience and marketing, Jason Bradshaw, as a “contingency that enabled Volkswagen to bring the Touareg to Australia in a timely manner”.
It’s been replaced with two new Euro 6-compliant versions of the V6 turbo-diesel offered overseas, along with a new V8 TDI R-Line at the top of the range.
Along with the wider selection of engines, the 2021 Touareg range will feature a simpler model line-up than before. Gone is the R-Line package, replaced with a dedicated 210TDI R-Line option sitting above regular ‘Elegance’ models.
At the top of the range, the V8 TDI R-Line follows in the footsteps of the Touareg R50 TDI. Volumes are likely to be low but, given the passion for the similarly niche R50, Volkswagen could have another cult favourite on its hands.
Pricing for the 2021 Touareg kicks off at $81,490 before on-road costs for the 170TDI, and extends to $136,490 before on-roads for the range-topping V8 TDI R-Line.
Pricing
- Touareg 170TDI: $81,490
- Touareg 210TDI Elegance: $99,490
- Touareg 210TDI R-Line: $108,490
- Touareg V8 TDI R-Line: $136,490
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
The engine in the base 170TDI is a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel making 170kW of power and 500Nm of torque, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The 100km/h sprint is dispatched in a claimed 7.5 seconds.
Moving to the 210TDI ups the power to 210kW and torque to 600Nm, once again with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The 100km/h sprint takes 6.1 seconds.
The range-topping V8 TDI R-Line packs a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 diesel engine with 310kW of power and 900Nm of torque, hooked up to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It’s good for a 4.9-second sprint to 100km/h.
It’s a variation of the V8 diesel engine used in the Bentley Bentayga, albeit without the 48V electrically-driven turbo designed to cut low-down lag.
Fuel economy
The 170TDI engine in the Touareg has a claimed fuel economy of 6.8L/100km on the combined cycle. Although it packs more power, the 210TDI has the same 6.8L/100km claim.
The V8 TDI R-Line uses a claimed 7.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
New for 2021 is a standard 90L fuel tank and a 24L AdBlue tank.
Dimensions
Volkswagen hasn’t revealed model-specific dimensions for the MY2021 Touareg in Australia. However the existing 190TDI measures 4878mm long, 1984mm wide and 1686mm tall, with a 2899mm wheelbase.
Boot space is a claimed 810L with the rear seats in place, and 1800L with them folded.
Safety
The Touareg wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating with 2018 date stamp based on tests conducted by sister firm, Euro NCAP.
Individual category scores were 89 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, 72 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 78 per cent for safety assist.
Standard on all Touareg models are autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, as well as lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and front and rear cross-traffic alert.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment in the 170TDI includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Parking sensors
- Powered tailgate
- Keyless entry and start
- LED headlights and taillights
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment touchscreen
- Satellite navigation
- Four USB ports
- Wireless phone charging
- Vienna leather trim
- Front seat heating
- Dual-zone air conditioning
The 170TDI is offered with two options packs, the first of which is the Innovision Package. It’s priced at $8000 and includes a 15-inch central infotainment touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument binnacle. It also adds a head-up display, additional ambient lighting, and gloss black trim for the centre console.
The Sound and Comfort Package ($8000, also offered on 210TDI Elegance for $6500, 210TDI R-Line for $6500) adds an area-view camera, a Dynaudio sound system, four-zone climate control, memory for the front seats, an electric steering column, heated outboard rear seats, parking assist plus, and manoeuvre braking.
The 210TDI Elegance adds:
- IQ Matrix LED headlights
- Innovision Package
- Headlight washing
- Premium LED taillights with scrolling indicators
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Air suspension
- Savona leather trim in black or two-tone
- Heated, ventilated, massaging front seats
The 210TDI R-Line gains:
- Active roll stabilisation
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- R-Line front- and rear bumpers
- Tinted rear and side windows
- R-Line trim, Savona leather seats
- Memory for front seats
- Electric steering column
- Brushed stainless steel pedals
- R-Line steering wheel with heating, paddles
- Black interior headliner
The range-topping V8 TDI R-Line packs:
- Night vision
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Sound and Comfort package
Options on the range-topping V8 TDI R-Line are limited to a panoramic sunroof ($3000) and paint, with all colours other than white adding $2100 to your sticker price.
Servicing
A five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty is standard, as with the wider Volkswagen range.
Maintenance for the Touareg is required every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.
A three-year service package is priced from $1350, while a five-year package will set you back $2500.
The cabin pictured is the current Touareg R-Line with the Innovision Package.
