Leaders Hillclimb Multi Car Challenge - VW Touareg

From sublime to ridiculous - Al goes hillclimbing in a diesel SUV

As racing excuses go, not having the car has to be the most cast iron for not posting quick times. The Primo plc-sponsored Multi Car Hillclimb Challenge was hoping to use a Volkswagen Golf R Estate for the final round of the MSA Leaders Championship at Loton Park. However, the car has proved such a success on the Continent that getting a right-hand drive version was always going to go down to the wire.

In the end, it was too fine a cut and the nice people at VW instead gave team-mate David Finlay and me a choice of many of their sporting vehicles. Which is why, clearly, we plumped for the Touareg.

Topical practical joking in the paddock

The reasoning behind this, other than a little end of term fun, was we had not tried an SUV so far, nor a diesel. With those two boxes ticked, the Touareg turned up in R-Line spec with a 258hp 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, eight-speed auto 'box, all-wheel drive and 20-inch alloy wheels.

From rest to 62mph in the Touareg takes 7.3-seconds. With four-wheel drive and 428lb ft of torque, it got off the line smartly and covered the 64-foot measurement in a best of 2.31-seconds. That was better than a Ford Sierra Cosworth, Porsche Boxster S and Renault Clio V6 running in the same A2 class.

What these drivers didn't have to deal with was the ribbing about emissions in the wake of last week's scandal surrounding Volkswagen. Nor did they have to contend with a car that leaned so much, squealed its tyres like a teenager driving off from the chippie or a gearbox designed with comfort in mind rather than hillclimbing. All of this led Mr David and I to think that a 70-second run up Loton's 1,475-metre course would be very respectable.

Really capable of sub-70 seconds at Loton?

Saturday morning started chilly and there was much temptation to keep the Touareg's heated seats and steering wheel turned up to maximum. In the interests of ultimate performance, they were switched off and my first run netted a 73.83-second time. Hardly pushing the boundaries, it was no surprise to see Mr David stop the clock on 72.89.

By the time of our second runs late on Saturday morning, the sun had burned off the mist and conditions were excellent. Even so, I wasn't expecting to see a 69.99-second time as I went over the finish line. Mr David gave it his best, but was frustrated to record 70.80-seconds and then 70.85 on his third run, while I improved further to 69.26-seconds.

The Touareg delivered good drive off the line, but as soon as you turned in to the first Bend at Hall Corner, its fine on-road comfort hampered its hillclimb career. Even so, the VW felt fine around the sweeping lefts of Loggerheads and Fletchers Dellow before dropping to Triangle. Around Triangle it was simply a case of not deafening the crowd with tyre squeal. Then there's the tricky right-left flick of Keeper's Corner, where we through the Touareg's weight and height would be a major problem, but it hung on gamely.

Would an off-piste short cut help?

The haul up Cedar Straight, which is far from straight, was made more entertaining in the Touareg by munching large chunks of the curves to gain time. Next is a big brake for Fallow, followed by the steep ascent to Museum Corner and a sprint to the finish line.

Sunday was another cold start and my 71.03-second first competition time was disappointing but understandable given the temperature of the track. Comprehension turned to incredulity when Mr David racked up a 69.76-second run.

Due to some delays, my final competition run was in early afternoon sunshine. A red flag caused by the car in front spinning meant I took a restart and enjoyed a slightly better run off the line. After that, I pushed the Touareg as hard as I dared and ended with a 68.06-second time. More than chuffed, I handed the car over to Mr David and was dreading him going quicker. In the end, he went up in 68.68 seconds.

By the end of the weekend, the Touareg had endeared itself to us as a hillclimb machine, if only for trouncing our expectations and proving you can compete in almost anything on wheels. It was also a suitably daft way to round off a brilliant year of motorsport, and thank you to everyone who has come up to say hello, share a laugh or just point at us. Also, a huge thanks to everyone who has asked about the Nationwide Association ofBlood Bikes, who are an amazing group of volunteers and deserve all your support and donations.

Previous reports:
Mercedes A45 AMG |
Abarth 695 Biposto |
BMW i8 |
Vauxhall Corsa VXR
Ford Fiesta ST
Seat Leon Cupra ST
Audi S8 |
Toyota GT86
Subaru WRX STI
Honda Civic Type R