

Josh Nevett
3 Days Ago
The Volkswagen Touareg range will expand to include a new plug-in hybrid R flagship late in 2022.
Contributor
Contributor
Volkswagen is getting ready to welcome its first plug-in hybrid car to Australia.
The big Touareg R SUV will touch down towards the end of 2022, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain good for a 5.1-second sprint to 100km/h and 47km of electric range.
When it arrives, the Touareg R will join the 2022 Golf R, Tiguan R, and T-Roc R in the Volkswagen Australia stable.
It’s meant to serve as a halo car for Volkswagen, taking on the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 in the process.
The Touareg R uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with 250kW of power and 400Nm of torque, combined with a 100kW/400Nm electric motor, an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
Total system outputs are 340kW and 700Nm, and top speed in electric mode is 135km/h.
The 14.3kWh lithium-ion battery pack can be charged in 2.5 hours using a 7.2kW home wall box.
Braked towing capacity is 3500kg. Although it doesn’t have a thumping V8 engine under the bonnet, the plug-in hybrid Touareg shapes as a left-field row rig for the well-heeled.
Although it will be the first Volkswagen-badged plug-in hybrid approved for Australia, the Touareg R won’t be the first mainstream Volkswagen Group PHEV in local showrooms.
That honour belongs to Cupra, which will launch with plug-in hybrid versions of its Leon and Formentor in the middle of 2022.
Audi has previously offered the A3 e-Tron plug-in hybrid locally as well.
Pricing for the Touareg R will be revealed alongside details about the updated 2022 Touareg range in the coming months.
CarExpert does the hard work to get you the best price. No negotiating, no hidden costs, just expert help and real savings on your next new car.
Scott Collie is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Scott studied journalism at RMIT University and, after a lifelong obsession with everything automotive, started covering the car industry shortly afterwards. He has a passion for travel, and is an avid Melbourne Demons supporter.
Josh Nevett
3 Days Ago
Max Davies
3 Days Ago
Paul Maric
3 Days Ago
William Stopford
3 Days Ago
William Stopford
2 Days Ago
James Wong
19 Hours Ago