New Volkswagen Touareg unveiled

Volkswagen has just taken the wraps off the facelifted version of their Touareg SUV. The current generation Touareg, launched in late 2010 (with a subsequent 2012 India launch) has seen good success internationally. The new car features both mechanical and visual upgrades including certain updates to the classy yet understated interior.

The design of the front of the new Volkswagen Touareg has been completely reworked. The bi-xenon headlights are standard on all versions and a unit with LED daytime running lights and dynamic cornering lights is available as an option too. The SUV also features a new grille and a new front bumper that makes the Touareg look much wider than before. The recently adopted Volkswagen family looks that gives the lower part of the bumper an ‘A’ appearance also features prominently in the new Touareg.

From behind the Touareg now gets a new bumper, which, in similar fashion to the front, underlines the SUV's width. A diffuser, also redesigned, has been integrated between the tailpipes of the exhaust system. The designers have relocated the LED rear fog lights and the reflectors into the bumper. The new Touareg also features a roof spoiler that gives the SUV a sportier appeal.

On the interior front, the Touareg features quite a few changes. The rotary knobs that controls the climate control, suspension (conventional and air suspension) and the mirrors have been redesigned with high-end aluminum rotary knobs. Another striking feature is the illumination of the controls, which in every case is now white instead of red. The ambient lighting in the doors, footwells and roof console is also now also white.

The Volkswagen Touareg in international markets will be available with a set of V6 engines offered in two stages of tune. The base model is available with a 3.0-litre V6 engine with 204PS of power and 450Nm of peak torque. The more powerful 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine makes 262PS of peak power and 580Nm of peak torque. There is also a top of the line 4.1-litre V8, twin turbo diesel engine that makes 340PS of peak power and an earth shattering 800Nm of peak torque! There is also a V6 TSI engine couples with an electric motor that forms the powerplant of the hybrid version. This combination gives a total of 380PS of peak power and 580Nm of peak torque.

Expect the new 2015 Volkswagen Touareg to be launched in India in early 2015. The Touareg goes up against the likes of the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and the BMW X5 along with other contemporaries like the Range Rover Sport and the Porsche Cayenne.