Volkswagen is preparing a new Touareg SUV for European launch next spring, with U.S. sales months later as a 2011 model. Targets for the new model are better economy -- both through significantly more efficient powertrains and lighter overall weight -- plus the incorporation of a third row of child seats.
The design will reflect VW's new Walter da Silva-mandated approach; emphasis on horizontal lines and a nose characterized by a wide grill between oblong lamps. It will retain SUV-like cues too. The hood and body sides have fewer, crisper feature lines and a greater simplicity of surfacing, which should suit a sport-utility well.
The Touareg has always had immense off-road capability, outfitted with a dual-range transfer case, locking differentials and huge wheel articulation. That stuff is heavy and expensive, and many customers never use it. So VW is taking a lesson from the sister Audi Q7 and ditching much of the hardcore hardware, and moving some of it to the options list.
Thus the Touareg's marketing position, as a true off-road SUV, will remain intact, yet the equipment required to sustain that position will be a nice little profit opportunity. Meanwhile headline base prices can be dropped a little, or at least more luxury equipment can be added for the same price.
Spyshots of mules for the 2011 Touareg show unchanged wheelbase and tread (note: a present generation Touareg 2 is shown). The basic platform is not greatly changed for the new model, besides some mass-reduction measures such as the use of aluminum.
Volkswagen wants to be known as the downsized engine specialist. In Europe, it has made double-digit economy gains by replacing many of its 1.8 and 2.0-liter engines with direct-gasoline-injection forced-induction 1.4s -- including one with both a turbocharger and a supercharger. The V-8 will be replaced with a supercharged V-6 making 290 horsepower and 310 pound-feet from just 3.0-liters, coupled to an eight-speed automatic. The VR6 engine dies.
The group's 3.0-liter clean diesel will also be available, positioning the car well for users who tow because of its excellent mileage (18/25 mpg in the current heavy Touareg) and 400 pound-feet-plus of low-rev torque.
Higher performance will come from a hybrid version. This technology, using the same V-6 supercharged engine as the standard gas Touareg, has already been demonstrated in a prototype Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid using the old VR6 engine. While VW will launch the hybrid system in the new Touareg body, the Cayenne carries on with the current body for at least two more model years.
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