462hp Touareg is VW R's first hybrid
VW is "vigorously expanding" its fast car offerings; here's the latest...
On the former point, the Touareg R boasts 462hp, thanks to the combination of a 340hp turbocharged V6 and 136hp electric motor - itself powered by a 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery. Overall torque is rated at 516lb ft, so there's ample pulling power to deal with the 3.5-tonne towing capacity the R retains from the standard Touareg.
A familiar eight-speed auto and 4Motion permanent four-wheel drive combination manages that power to the road, with centre diff lock apportioning fore and aft; a maximum of 70 per cent of power can forwards, and 80 per cent to the back. In addition to the regular drive modes, the Touareg R also gets '4Motion Active Control', where the driver manages the powertrain. 'Hybrid' is designed for "optimised and automatic interaction" between the electric motor and the V6 engine", and E-Mode rather does what it says on the tin as well.
What's interesting is that the Touareg will default to electric running on start up (assuming there's enough charge in the battery), and operate as an EV at up to 140km/h - as well as tow that 3.5-tonne maximum. That said an electric range hasn't yet been confirmed - expect that at Geneva - with VW only stating that it will cover "typical commuter distances with zero emissions." With city centre bans on combustion engines becoming a more likely reality by the day, having even a nominal electric range - one that can be maintained in hybrid mode through navigation data and recuperation technology - looks like very useful technology.
As for what makes this Touareg an R and not just a fast flagship PHEV, you'll notice the familiar VW accoutrements: Lapiz Blue paint, a black pack, darkened light clusters, the mildest of mild bodykits and some new wheels. As standard the R will come with 20-inch 'Braga' rims, though it seems unlikely many will stay with standard wheels given 21-inch 'Suzuka' and 22-inch 'Estoril' items are also available. The press release issued today makes no mention of any suspension or brake changes, so expect details of those to follow from the show stand.
While the interior gets the familiar overhaul - new trims, logos, stitching - there is a noteworthy feature that drivers will enjoy when sitting in their sports seats optionally tanned sustainably using olive oil: the Travel Assist. For the very first time a VW is fitted (at extra cost) with an assisted driving feature that can monitor the car at up to 155mph. (Previously it was 210km/h, or 130mph). Therefore Touareg R drivers can use the lane keep and adaptive cruise to reach maximum speed with very little input.
That's it for the Touareg R for now, though expect plenty more soon - Jost Capito describes it as a vehicle of "unrivalled charisma", after all. And don't worry if this isn't your cup of tea - that new Golf GTI isn't far off, either. And GTD. And GTE...
But at a price of?..."Nearly £100,000?!" for this VW, I'll stick with my 10 yr old L322 Range Rover TDV8 which manages around mid-30's MPG, on a long run...and if you look at the price of diesel, lately (£125.9), along with the "unknown" of whether to invest in a new Hybrid?, Or a full electric...Or just leave it to what youve already got?... Keeping my 2nd hand Range Rover wins!
Only if the Governmnet bans diesels or petrols altogether (overnight) OR whack up the price of road tax or fuel, will i have to change....but by the time it would be about to be implented, that government will be kicked out as that not what the majority of the public will want and will vote against it.
Rather, why not establish a new and stretching set of emission parameters for 15 years hence - including 2.5nm particulate levels - and incentivise manufacturers to innovate new ways to achieve those targets - e.g new particulate filters and gas scrubbers for existing combustion engines? This would allow a progressive development of existing technologies - much more achievable in my view.
Hybrids are an example of progressive development - but I would be very interested to see how far diesel technology could actually go if you really tried. In my company we have run 5 series BMW's (520ed) for many years. They are incredibly efficient (60+mpg) and of course no issues with range. My sales and marketing director is switching to a Peugeot electric vehicle this April. The stated range is around 230miles - so I have had to create a new company car policy that defines where we will compensate train use, overnight stays, use of own car or hire car (combustion engine) etc etc... With the current company car BIK tax policy strongly weighted against combustion engine (and hybrid) technologies, how can an employer reasonably deny an employee an electric vehicle if it saves the employee so much tax?
If car makers want us to switch to Hybrid, then the EV-only range needs to be a real world 30-40+ miles. I think the new X5 PHEV with its 24 kwh battery is pretty much there. Now we just need others to get there and then I'm in. No point switching out of diesel for only a tiddly amount of EV range
Come on Range Rover... more EV mileage please.
Completely discounting for a minute the health issues of pollution, and local regulations (London ULEZ, etc), manufacturers are pushing this. VAG has to get out from under dieselgate, and they're a pretty big player. Tesla, like it or not, has pushed things along. I read today that the GErman car industry is suffering because Tesla is outselling them in their own backyard for specific segments that are in direct competition. If and when Tesla decides to enter more niches, those will become competitive battlegrounds, which Tesla are well placed to win, due to their battery factories and supercharger networks already well advanced.
I guess the real question for me is this; various governments talk a big game about pollution, and vitue signalling all this green blah blah blah, but when push comes to shove, they'll lose out on road tax (in this country at least). So there will need to be some real money thrown at this. Just how much money are the UK government prepared to lose, in order to improve health?
And lets not forget, this is a global discussion, despite being on a UK centric forum.
In related points, I like the idea of a zero emission vehicle, and don't care about engine note per se, but I don't see the point in spending £100k to save £100 a month in fuel. There needs to be a firm business case, and everyones needs will vary from sales reps to students, retirees, soccer mums / dads, fleet owners, and so on.
Nothing new.
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