Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

The platform for the Touareg is the same as the one on the Porsche Cayenne. The platform was developed by Porsche and the company shares it with VW and Audi and in return, VW builds Cayenne bodies at its plant in Bratislava. Though these SUVs might share the same platform, the Volkswagen Touareg has a huge advantage that the others don’t – the diesel motor. And, this feature is most important especially in a country like India. What everybody wants to know now is how well this mighty, diesel powered, luxury SUV would do in India. Read on to find out.

The Touareg is designed to look the part; a sturdy, no nonsense SUV. Once you get past the oversized VW badge, details like the simple headlight cluster set behind a well-rounded bumper and bonnet V, the flared body and wheels arches and the overall rugged look of the Touareg is quite unique. The inside of the Touareg, unlike its rugged exterior, gives the impression of luxury and the multiple textures and materials used in the cabin gives it a high-quality feel. The central console is a labyrinth of buttons and the rear seat comfort is also quite good.

Where the Touareg loses points is that some of the plastics used look tacky and legroom for rear passengers could do with some improvement. Even in first gear, the Touareg lunges forward almost like a sports car as you get squeezed hard in your seat owing to the V10 engine that thrusts you forward on a wave of torque and induction. A hundred kilometres per hour comes up in 6.7 seconds! The Touareg might not have the poise or agility of a BMW X5 but for an SUV that weighs as much as the Touareg, it has very driver-friendly handling. Come to a short stretch, steady the moving mass of the car and let rip a three or four-second burst — it’s as fun as letting off a few rounds on a machine pistol. Then it’s hard on the brakes as you steer for the next corner and let off another five-second burst to get the smile back on your face.

A drive along the Autobahn and the speed went up to 220kph, yet the stability of the Touareg, even on such high speeds, was perfect and the V10 is capable of handling this kind of driving without being stressed or strained. In addition, the efficient six-speed gearbox, strong brakes and the light but progressive steering enhance the drive experience. The only thing that causes slight discomfort is the thumpy low-speed ride.

The air suspension on the Touareg cannot handle sharp edges and ridges on the road with ease, especially at low speeds. Once upto speed, the greater loads allow the air springs to deal with the suspension travel better and the Touareg feels a lot more comfortable. You can also raise the air suspension to go off-road, and with all that torque, it’s capable on the dirt too.

In and out The inside of the Touareg, unlike its rugged exterior, gives the impression of luxury

Personally, I am not a big fan of diesels and I do think that diesels aren’t half as much fun to drive as petrol-powered cars. Diesels usually have some degree of throttle-lag and thanks to really short powerbands, they run out of steam at around 4000rpm, whereas a petrol can go up to 8000rpm. In addition, I feel SUVs are unnecessarily large, poor performers and also have refinement issues. Plus their unwieldy driving manners and thumpy ride only seem to satisfy the ego of the driver more than anything else. But I was spellbound by the Touareg V10.

Its rounded shoulders, the cabin that feels like an executive boardroom, the impressive driving manners, the adjustable suspension and the brilliant V10 diesel motor are factors that make it hard not to love this vehicle. In addition, the Volkswagen badge means that this car is certified as far as solid engineering is concerned.

The Touareg is available for Rs. 80 lakh, which might be a little expensive. However, this luxury SUV is worth it and you wouldn’t be making a mistake getting one.

Pune). On sale now

L/W/H 1980/760/1200mm

Wheelbase 1275mm

Ground clearance 170mm

Fuel tank capacity 8 litres

Kerb weight 112kg

four-stroke 124.58cc

Power 9.5bhp at 7000rpm

Torque 1.1kgm at 5000rpm

Specific output 76.2bhp per litre

Power to weight 84.8bhp per tonne

Gearbox 4-speed, 4-down

Front suspension Telescopic forks

Rear suspension Dual SNS shocks,

rectangular swingarm

Front brakes 130mm drum

Rear brakes 130mm drum

Wheels 5-spoke, aluminium alloy

Rim size (f-r) 1.4 x 17– 1.6 x 17

inches

Tyre size (f-r) 2.75 x 17- 3.00 x 17

inches

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

---

---