VW bids adieu to Touareg with Final Edition
New run-out derivative signals the death of Volkswagen's combustion SUV after nearly 25 years
It’s probably fair to say that in terms of an enthusiast’s field of vision, the Volkswagen Touareg has moved in and out of focus like a deer in the trees. The first generation (VW’s first proper SUV, let’s not forget) was among the segment’s trailblazers in mainstream terms, and, over time, across various international markets, was available with five, six, eight, ten and twelve cylinders. Even allowing for the fact that the platform-sharing Porsche Cayenne stole its limelight, the prospect of a Touareg with more than 300hp (and 500lb ft of torque) did not leave people entirely unmoved.
Certainly it helped set the model up for the kind of success that shifts more than 1.2m units since its launch in 2002. Nevertheless, as we’ve discovered in recent years, being a household name does not guarantee long-term survival - or not in combustion terms at any rate: next year the Touareg as we know it moves into its final year of production. Porsche has good reason to keep the Cayenne alive with its popularity underwritten by lusty petrol engines; less so the Touareg, which has been lumbered with an increasingly anonymous hybrid powertrain lineup.
Consequently, the unveiling of a new Final Edition (offered across the range, and available to order until March) is less interesting than it might have been. It wasn’t so long ago that VW still found room in its lineup for a V8 - but the days of 5 or even 6-litre Touaregs only serve now to highlight just how tepid the outgoing flagship R version really is, despite the presence of a 3.0-litre V6 and a combined output of 462hp. Still, if you’re a super-fan (and the car’s reputation is easily solid enough to have earned itself some staunchly loyal customers) then the run-out trim is vaguely worth knowing about.
We say ‘vaguely’ because VW has not exactly fallen all over itself differentiating the Final Edition from standard. In fact, you get lettering laser-engraved on the window surrounds of the rear doors and embossed in the gear lever leather, alongside some illuminated sill and dash panel mouldings. Which could hardly be called departing with a bang, even allowing for the 75,050 euro starting price in Germany (we await confirmation of the full UK spec). A fitting end, arguably, for the unremarkable current iteration of Touareg - but possibly less than the VW’s old-fashioned heavyweight deserves.
Which is a real shame really when you consider what models have gone before.
Who can ever forget that V10 diesel!
I’d definitely like this sat alongside my other VW’s, so that’s potentially one sold in the UK, not sure who else is in the market for one though?!
s
t the bed! I need to sell the kids into slavery pronto to get my hands on one of these! Seriously there can't be too many less special special editions than this can there?
We currently run a 2016 3.0 V6 TDI one. It's great as a big family holdall. Wouldn't be getting a brand new hybrid one in a hurry though. Presumably everyone else thinks the same, hence its impending demise.
Not a car for the enthusiast but you d be able to get a big dog in the back quite easily + some shopping. Although any meat would be best up front with the driver to stop said hound from eating it.
The Mk1 W12 is the most special version, and the one I’d want, if I could find one.
in the dark, everyone (bar me!) sound asleep, me warm and comfy in the big leather seats with the radio playing softly in the background, and the sat-nav helping saying Continue on the A31 for a long time is one of my happier, calmer moments in motoring. Worked up just a big a sweat driving the thing over the Col du Galibier and Col du Télégraphe as I did cycling it the day before, mind!
It was its capability combined with its relatively anonymity that made it such a good thing to own and drive.
They handle far better than you would imagine for a big barge. Best mpg was an indicated 52.2 and it never dropped below 40. Tyres, discs and pads all lasted to 60K.
I got a Q7 to replace it and despite being the same platform and engine, mpg and handling don’t get close.
I accept that it won’t be mourned but I genuinely believe it is a far better car than it is given credit for.
That being said, that is a desperate attempt at a Final Edition.
They handle far better than you would imagine for a big barge. Best mpg was an indicated 52.2 and it never dropped below 40. Tyres, discs and pads all lasted to 60K.
I got a Q7 to replace it and despite being the same platform and engine, mpg and handling don t get close.
I accept that it won t be mourned but I genuinely believe it is a far better car than it is given credit for.
That being said, that is a desperate attempt at a Final Edition.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff