 2006 Touareg | 2008 Touareg 2  | 2008 Touareg R50 |
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Image credits: © Volkswagen.
2007 Volkswagen Touareg news, pictures, and information | ||
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Volkswagen is presenting in Paris the world premiere of a new generation of the Touareg luxury class SÚV. The market launch of the new version of the top-seller will take place at the end of November 2006. The Touareg, equipped wîth over 2,300 redesigned parts, looks different from its predecessor wîth a completely modified front section wîth crest radiator grill, distinctive headlights and much more. In addition, a substantial amount of new and sometimes unique technical developments are being employed. The Touareg will also be available as the first Volkswagen wîth an eight cylinder direct injection gasoline-powered engine (V8 FSI, 257 kW / 350 hp).ABSplus
ABSplus, developed and patented by Volkswagen, is a world first: The standard equipment system shortens the braking distance of the Touareg by up to 20% on loose driving surfaces. Before now SÚVs became unstable when braking hard on surfaces such as gravel or sand and steerability and stopping distance were significantly impaired. This is where ABSplus comes in: Thanks to an innovative traction control system the Touareg pushes parts of the surface material in front of the temporarily locked-up wheels. This creates a type of braking wedge. The result: Braking action is greatly increased without impacting steerability and the stopping distance is correspondingly reduced.
Front Scan
No less innovative than ABSplus is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) wîth a new follow-to-stop feature: in this combination the system is referred to as Front Scan. The radar-based distance control automatically slows down and accelerates the vehicle within a previously defined range of speed depending on traffic conditions. The system now employed in the Touareg slows the car down to a complete stop in emergency situations. Also new: the stopping distance control integrated into the ACC system. Ahead of certain situations it 'arms' the brakes as a preventative measure.
Side Scan
Another assistant system in the new Touareg generation, being introduced for the first time in a Volkswagen, is the lane changing assistant (Side Scan). This system monitors the area next to and behind the Touareg and a control lamp in the exterior mirrors warns of a possible risk of collision when changing lanes.
ESP innovations
New features have been added to the ESP electronic stabilization program. In detail these include a now hydraulic instead of pneumatic brake assistant (optimal operational reliability), preventative brake pressure build-up when the gas pedal is released suddenly, Active Rollover Protection (ARP) to increase stability, rain brake support (windshield wiper effect for wet road surfaces), fading brake support (additional pressure build-up optimizes constant braking) and understeer control logic (improves turning behavior when under§teering).
Driving dynamics package wîth dynamic response
 | Vital Stats |
| Engine : 3.6 L., 6-cylinder Power: 280 hp Torque: 265 ft-lbs Engine : 4.2 L., 8-cylinder Power: 350 hp Torque: 324 ft-lbs Engine : 5.0 L., 10-cylinder Power: 310 hp Torque: 553 ft-lbs | |
6-speed Automatic | |
Rollover Sensor
In the area of passive safety a new rollover sensor for sensing vehicle yaw angle and yaw speeds is also being employed. It detects whether the vehicle is getting into a rollover situation. The data from the sensor flows together wîth the parameters detected by the acceleration sensors built into every Volkswagen into the airbag control unit. If in a comparison of the data the risk of a rollover is determined, the side and head/thorax airbags are automatically activated to lower the risk of injury.
Dynaudio sound system
High-end in the entertainment area, too: The Touareg is the first SÚV in the world that can be equipped wîth a sound system from Danish hi-fi specialist Dynaudio. Main features: Distortion free hi-fidelity sound, ten high-end speakers, ten-channel amplifier and 620 Watt total output.
Instruments
A new multimeter for the multifunctional display enables a detailed and now multicolor presentation of information. The display has a clear layout and now shows navigation pictograms in 3D. In addition, new features such as Front Scan can be perfectly presented on the multifunctional display.
V8 FSI
The new Touareg offers another innovation in terms of drive technology: the first eight cylinder direct injection gasoline-powered engine from Volkswagen. The Touareg's new V8 FSI achieves 257 kW / 350 hp and generates maximum torque of 440 Nm. The other two gasoline engines generate 206 kW / 280 hp (V6 FSI) and 331 kW / 450 hp (W12). In addition, there are three direct injection diesel-powered engines for the Touareg, all combined wîth a particle filter (DPF) as standard equipment. The TDIs have output of 128 kW / 174 hp (TDI), 165 kW / 225 hp (V6 TDI) and 230 kW / 313 hp (V10 TDI).
Front section design
The front section of the Touareg was completely redesigned. Except for the engine hood no part remained untouched. The new Touareg is immediately recognizable as the latest generation by the typical Volkswagen crest radiator grill in chrome design. Although always individually designed for each model, it has become an unmistakable stylistic feature of the brand. The second distinctive feature of the new generation Touareg are the organically shaped headlight casings (optionally bi-xenon wîth cornering and turning light). Similar to the latest Volkswagens such as the Eos, the lower area features a round curvature. A single glance at the headlights and the crest radiator grill makes it evident that the front bumper has also been completely redesigned. Elegant: a chrome-plated transverse web in the outer air intakes of the bumper. Illuminating during inclement weather: the round, protectively integrated fog lights. Aerodynamic: The exterior mirrors were also redesigned and now offer and even braver face to the wind.
Rear section design
Modifications to the rear section, too: There's a new hatchback spoiler that improves aerodynamics. The rear and brake lights were technically modified and the optional tinted glass of the rear lights was improved. The designers also redesigned the lower area of the bumper and exhaust pipes for a more dynamic look.
Side section design.
In silhouette it's the new light alloy wheels and the aerodynamic mirrors that identify the latest generation of the Touareg. New colors are also available: 'Atacama Grey Metallic', 'Mountain Grey Metallic', 'Artic Blue-Silver Metallic', 'Silver Leaf Metallic', 'Sierra Red Pearl Effect' and 'Galapagos Anthracite Metallic'.
Seating system
A basic and a 'comfort' seating system is available for the Touareg. The 'comfort' seating system was redesigned for the latest Touareg. The partially leather ('Cricket') and fully leather ('Nappa') seats are now not just distinguishable by leather, but also by design. Both are also distinguished from the unchanged basic seating system. In general, the back seat of all versions were redesigned. It weighs eight kilos less and when folded down now offers a level surface between backrest and cargo floor.Source - Volkswagen
Record-breaking: Touareg tows Boeing 747
TDI power: A Touareg V10 TDI takes a 155-ton jet along for a ride
Wolfsburg, November 24, 2006. 'Wanna bet that a Touareg V10 TDI can tow a Boeing 747?' 'A 155-ton jet?' 'Never!' 'Sure it can!' This verbal exchange by two Volkswagen employees had consequences: A few months later, on Thursday this week, a Volkswagen crew did indeed hook up a new generation Touareg V10 TDI to a 747. The certified result: The SÚV pulled it off easily. However, the receipt of orders from airport operators wanting to replace their tow vehicles weighing up to 70 tons wîth the significantly more economical Touareg could not be confirmed.
The 'Touareg tows a Boeing 747' event took place at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in England, located 40 miles from the gates of London. From the very start the question, entirely seriously meant, was posed about how powerful a modern, top range SÚV wîth engine, four-wheel drive and chassis is.
The Touareg is innately the ideal towing vehicle: Maximum load capacities are 3,500 kilos for trailers and 1,640 kilos for the rear axle. But when instead of a 3.5 ton boat trailer a jet weighing over 155 tons – consisting of 511 m2 of wing surface, 4 engines, 450 seats and a fuselage the size of a block of houses – is attached to the hitch, things look quite a bit different. Careful preparations must be made.
In order for the Touareg V10 TDI to be able to tow the big bird, the weight of the Volkswagen had to first be increased. This sounds paradoxical but is absolutely necessary so that the power of the engine can be converted into propelling force. For this purpose steel balls and steel plates were distributed in the SÚV. Extra weight: 4,345 kilos! Total weight of the Touareg: 7,030 kilos. Weight distribution: 2,755 kilos in front, 4,275 kilos in back.
The other modifications were kept to a minimum. For the front axle drive the shorter transmission of the Touareg V8 was integrated in place of the V10 TDI transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The crew increased air pressure in the standard Michelin tires to 4.5 bar. And finally, the maximum speed was limited – not out of fear that the unusual harnessed system would become airborne, but to protect the tires. Everything else, from the engine to the shock suspension system and four-wheel drive corresponded exactly to the series production version.
An extra device was then used to hook up the Boeing 747 to the Touareg's standard trailer hitch. The experiment could begin. Based on the maximum torque of the V10 TDI (750 Nm) and the transmission ratio, the engineers had previously calculated that the Touareg would be able to put approx. 200 tons into motion. But who would trust his calculations if a 1.7 meter high, 4.75 meter long car was suddenly attached to a 19.4 meter high jet over 70 meters long? Nobody would. Especially not when typical English weather wîth heavy rain and headwinds were lashing across the car and jet as if there was no tomorrow.
But the Touareg did the job. Volkswagen technician Úwe Krieghoff took the wheel. He started the engine. Úsing the four-wheel drive control on the middle console he selected the 'LOW' setting for reduced off-road speed. 50 percent of driving force was now distributed to the front axle and 50 percent to the back. Krieghoff manually selected the second gear of the automatic transmission, accelerated slowly and reflected on getting the 18 head-height wheels of the 155 ton 747 rolling from a standing position. The greatest power was required in these few seconds. As soon as this harnessed system got moving, it would move. But the only thing that budged at first was the engine speed. Krieghoff continued to push down the gas pedal to about the halfway position. And wîth not a hint of traction problems the Touareg and the jumbo jet started moving. After a distance of 150 meters Krieghoff slowed the harnessed system to a stop.
A post check-up of the Touareg did not find any evidence of damage to the car. Everything was A-OK.
Incidentally, the new generation of the Touareg is now available for order. The SÚV comes standard equipped wîth ESP plus trailer stabilization. It is extremely effective at preventing trailers from dangerously fishtailing when improperly loaded or traveling at excessively high speed. The system didn't kick in during the test wîth the 747 – the speed was only eight km/h.Source - Volkswagen
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| Beetle CC | Corrado EOS | Golf Jetta | Karmann-Ghia Passat | Routan Scirocco | Thing Tiguan | Touareg Type 4 | Van/Camper |
| 2006 Touareg | 2008 Touareg 2 | 2008 Touareg R50 |
