Tuesday 26th February 2019

New V8 Touareg 'most powerful diesel German SUV'

Thought that 421hp 4.0-litre oil burner had gone extinct with the Panamera? Think again

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Now this is a turn up. Of all the manufacturers you might expect to launch a two-tonne diesel leviathan - particularly at this time of increased EV saturation - VW wouldn't be top of the list. Given all that's happened, y'know, and its focus on future mobility solutions and more sustainable powertrains.

Still, here we are, a new VW V8 diesel. As far as can be told this new Touareg TDI uses the same 3,956cc twin-turbocharged engine as once found in the Panamera Diesel S; i.e. one very closely related to that found in the Audi SQ7 - their cubic capacities are identical - but without the fancy electric compressor technology.

Still, the Touareg is hardly left wanting. Peak figures stand at 421hp and a colossal 664lb ft, the latter actually matching the Audi adversary. Produced at 1,000-3,250rpm, that torque peak is exactly the same as the SQ7 as well - interesting.

Much like the T-Roc R that this car will also share space with at Geneva, the Touareg V8 TDI is officially a concept. But, of course, given the amount of detail the current release goes into, we can expect a production version to strike quite some resemblance to this car. Apparently buyers will be able choose between 'Elegance' and 'Atmosphere' specification, with R-Line an option. All models will get air suspension and 19-inch wheels as standard, plus the usual host of driver assist technology.

So according to VW, that's an SUV "designed for exceptional comfort", with the "torque of a supercar" and "excellent performance"; or, as far as we can see it, a really fast and really luxurious Touareg. It's a nice reminder, too, that the Touareg might be the only car ever in its lifetime to be offered at some point with five-, six-, eight- and ten-cylinder diesel engines. While there's no confirmation of the V8 TDI coming to the UK just yet, there should be more information forthcoming - it's nearly here, honest - from Geneva next week.

[Onehp]

Before everybody screams diesel is dead, ADAC tested the latest diesels on the market and their NOx emission (the stinky ones where the whole gate was about) are vastly reduced and are perfectly clean now.
If you have a big boat to tow, this sounds like a good candidate...

[RizzoTheRat]

"Crams" it in? The previous model was available with a V10 diesel, is this one smaller?

[alorotom]

RizzoTheRat said:

"Crams" it in? The previous model was available with a V10 diesel, is this one smaller?

exactly, plusthe Gen1 Q7 had the 4.2 v10 diesel as well and that wasnt exactly crammed in!

[JakeT]

The previous Q7 even got the 6 litre V12 TDi in it...

[DaveTheRave87]

Onehp said:

Before everybody screams diesel is dead, ADAC tested the latest diesels on the market and their NOx emission (the stinky ones where the whole gate was about) are vastly reduced and are perfectly clean now.
If you have a big boat to tow, this sounds like a good candidate...

Under test conditions

[misterblonde]

I have the previous-gen Q7 4.2TDI (a V8). It is creamy and delicious, albeit very bloody heavy. I love it. The engine is so so smooth and so so torquey.

[Arsecati]

Ahhhhhh yeah, diesel V8 baby!!!! Probably get over 500bhp with a re-map - I am not a fan of SUV's, but I'm so sick of listening to a certain manufacturer bleating on about 'self-charging hybrid' (?????), that if I was in the market, I'd get one of these in a heartbeat just to drive over them!!!! 😜

[Nerdherder]

Is this the Germans trying to prove they have a sense of humor after all?

[aaron_2000]

Nerdherder said:

Is this the Germans trying to prove they have a sense of humor after all?

Ever driven a Touareg or one of the V8 diesels? The 3.0 is quick enough, the V8 is shocking. Makes a nice change seeing a manufacturer making this instead of yet another 2.0 4 pot and some dull electric motor and calling it the eDrive or E Hybrid.

[Sheepshanks]

Nerdherder said:

Is this the Germans trying to prove they have a sense of humor after all?

Publicity, I guess. New Touareg hasn't exactly had a rave reception.

[misterblonde]

aaron_2000 said:

Nerdherder said:

Is this the Germans trying to prove they have a sense of humor after all?

Ever driven a Touareg or one of the V8 diesels? The 3.0 is quick enough, the V8 is shocking. Makes a nice change seeing a manufacturer making this instead of yet another 2.0 4 pot and some dull electric motor and calling it the eDrive or E Hybrid.

...and it doesn't sound like a minicab

[Triumph Man]

Shame there aren't more V8 diesels in large saloons.

[C0ffin D0dger]

Me want for caravan duties

[Dr G]

alorotom said:

exactly, plusthe Gen1 Q7 had the 4.2 v10 diesel as well and that wasnt exactly crammed in!

Q7s got the V12 another poster has already mentioned but were never fitted with a V10.

[davea18h]

Maybe after cancelling all the diesels in the Porsche's and don't forget the Bentley's too that used the V8's, they now have a surplus they want to get rid of?

[GranCab]

SQ7 is 435 ps or 429 BHP and 664 lb/ft torque ...

[Onehp]

DaveTheRave87 said:

Under test conditions

Which are now much more realistic and conducted on the road...


.... but still nowhere near hammering it of course, but no car is pristine clean then...

[fatboy b]

Not sure what would rattle more. The engine or the rest of the car

[DanielSan]

They're still making these?

[Chris944_S2]

RizzoTheRat said:

"Crams" it in? The previous model was available with a V10 diesel, is this one smaller?

And don't forget the 6.0 W12 petrol