Volkswagen Touareg

The Volkswagen Touareg is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by German automaker Volkswagen since 2002. The vehicle was named after the Tuareg people, a Berber-speaking group in North Africa. Touareg V10 holds the world record for the heaviest load towed by a passenger car, pulling a Boeing 747 as part of an advertising campaign.

Development
The Touareg (internally designated Typ 7L) was a joint venture project developed by Volkswagen Group, Audi, and Porsche. The goal was to create an off-road vehicle that could handle like a sports car. The team, with over 300 people, was led by Klaus-Gerhard Wolpert, and based in Porsche main base Weissach im Tal, Germany. The result of the joint project is that the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 share the Touareg's Volkswagen Group PL71 platform, although there are styling, equipment, and technical differences between those vehicles.

The Volkswagen Touareg is built in Bratislava, Slovakia. The manufacturing plant shares production with Touareg-cousins, the Porsche Cayenne, and the Audi Q7. Due to the demand, and the exchange rates of euros against the US dollar, as well as different pricing and environmental policies in the USA, the V6 and V8 engine variants make up most of Volkswagen's American Touareg offering. However, a limited number of the V10 Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engines were available in the 2004 model year (before being pulled for environmental reasons). They were brought back to the United States for the 2006 as a "Tier I emissions concept (43 state emissions)".

First generation
The Touareg comes as standard with a four-wheel drive system. An automatic progressively locking centre differential (with manual override), and a "low range" setting that can be activated with in-cabin controls. Options to make the vehicles more capable off-road include an available air suspension system which can raise the car's ride height on command, and an interior switch allowing the rear differential to be manually locked. Its load level ground clearance is at 6.3 in, Off Road Level is at 9.6 in, and Xtra clearance of 11.8 in.

W12 (2005-2010)
The 6.0-litre double overhead camshaft (DOHC), 48-valve W12 engined version was initially intended to be a limited-edition model, with just 500 units planned to be produced; around 330 were slated for sale in Saudi Arabia, with the remainder sold in Europe. No sales in the United States were made. Eventually, the W12 model became an ordinary model without any production restrictions. It is estimated to reach 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.

V10 TDI (2002-2010)
The V10 TDI was offered in the United States for a limited time in 2004, but emissions regulations forced it off the market for a temporary period.

The V10 TDI returned to the U.S. market as 2006 model year vehicle in five states. Later US models went on sale in 2006, which was compliant with 50 states emission with Ultra-low sulfur diesel and particulate filter. Stricter California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions standards resulted in the V10 TDI being cancelled again in the United States. The model was dubbed the "Meanest Vehicle for the Environment in 2007" by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy because of its fuel economy of 17 miles per US gallon city (12 l/100 km) and 24 mpg highway (10 l/100 km). The V10 engine has since been replaced by a V6 TDI engine that meets the CARB minimum emission requirements for the 2009 model year.

Facelift 2007
The Touareg's first facelift was unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, and later in 2007 New York Auto Show as a 2008 model. It now features the shield grille from others in the Volkswagen Passenger Cars range. The updated Touareg has more than 2300 redesigned parts and boasts some new technological features:
 * ABS Plus, which works in conjunction with the traction control system, and shortens the braking distance by up to 25% on loose surfaces;
 * Front Scan, an adaptive cruise control system, which can slow or even stop the car depending on traffic conditions;
 * Side Scan, a blind-spot warning system: it uses radar at the rear of the car to sense another car's presence, and causes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) built into the wing mirrors to flash. If the driver indicates to move out, the LEDs flash at an accelerated rate to warn the driver until the other vehicle moves out of the Touareg's field of vision.

The 2007 Touareg, alongside an already lengthy options list, could be equipped with a driving dynamics package, a rollover sensor, a 620 watt Dynaudio sound system, and redesigned comfort seats. All diesel versions now have the diesel particulate filter standard.

In the US and Canada, the facelifted Touareg was marketed as the Touareg 2 for the 2008 model year, reverting to simply Touareg in 2009.

R50 (2007-2010)


The Touareg R50 is the third Volkswagen after the Golf and Passat to be given the 'R' treatment by Volkswagen Individual GmbH. The R50 global launch was at the 2007 Australian International Motor Show.

The "R50" naming comes from the engine displacement: 5.0 L. The R50 was offered with a 5.0-litre V10 diesel engine, 257 kW with 850 Nm of torque, and pushing the car to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.

The R50 came standard with 21-inch Omanyt wheels, sport-tuned air suspension, decorative 'engine spin' finish interior trim inlays, and a four-zone Climatronic climate control system.

V6 TDI (2007-2010)
It is a version of V6 TDI with improved performance. The 2007 version of the V6 TDI has now 239 PS. With this engine, the car reaches 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. Also, this improved version of the V6 TDI develops 500 N/m.

V6 TDI Clean Diesel (2009-2010)
It is a version of V6 TDI with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, replacing V10 TDI in US and Canada. The Touareg contains a 4.5 usgal tank in the rear of the vehicle underneath the spare tyre which stores the AdBlue solution. It is estimated that this tank will need to be replenished every 6000 - 10000 mi. The Touareg does not include NOX storage catalyst found in Jetta Clean Diesel TDI due to its heavy weight.

Touareg BlueTDI was unveiled in 2007 Geneva Motor Show. Production version of V6 TDI Clean Diesel was unveiled in 2008 LA Auto Show.

Although sales of production version was planned in North America in 2008, it did not start until 2009.

Sander Kuiken, Technical development diesel application, Volkswagen AG was one of the engineers that worked on the AdBlue system created by Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Kuiken talked about the difference between the VW Touareg diesel and gasoline vehicles.

Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid (2009)
It is a prototype hybrid vehicle with 2995 cc V6 petrol engine with a 'Twin Vortices Series' (TVS) supercharger rated 333 PS at 5,500 rpm and 440 Nm at 3,000 rpm, an electric motor rated 52 PS and 300 Nm, eight-speed automatic transmission. It has combined ratings of 374 PS and 550 Nm. The electric-motor is powered by 240-cell, 288 V, 6 Ah nickel metal-hydride battery array. The 4motion four-wheel drive system was replaced by a lighter Torsen centre differential from Audi Q7 to save weight. The electric motor has the top speed of 50 km/h. Start-stop system supports regenerative braking, coasting. Power steering, air conditioning were changed to be powered by battery.

Planned production version included special E-switch that the driver can activate for pure electric driving, 160 km/h coasting speed.

Engines
US models included 3.6 V6, 4.2 V8, BlueMotion 3.0 V6 TDI. Canada models include 3.6 V6, BlueMotion 3.0 V6 TDI. BlueMotion 3.0 V6 TDI was sold as V6 TDI Clean Diesel in US and Canada.

Marketing
In 2007 día de los Inocentes, Volkswagen Spain site showed a fake Touareg Cabrio convertible. The site was registered to VW's Spanish division.

As part of the Touareg 2 launch campaign coinciding with The Bourne Ultimatum movie premiere, Volkswagen launched an interactive stunt simulator that allows fans to play out their own stunts online. Users can maneuver any of six different VW models through different explosions, while altering vehicle speeds, props, sound effects and camera angles to make that perfect scene.

Second generation
Second generation (Typ 7P5) was revealed on February 10, 2010 in Munich.

The new Touareg features a world first in automotive headlight technology: the "glare-free high beam". ("Dynamic Light Assist" at Volkswagen). Unlike an adaptive high beam system, the newest system continually and gradually adjusts not only the range of the high-beam, but also its pattern. The beam pattern changes its direction continually so that vehicles in front are not being illuminated, while the area surrounding them is being constantly illuminated at high beam intensity.

Features

 * Adaptive cruise control with Stop&go function
 * Lane departure warning system: Lane Assist
 * Blind Spot Monitor: Side Assist
 * Precrash system for front (with full automatic emergency braking): Front Assist
 * Area View with four cameras
 * Adaptive Air Suspension with continuous damping control (CDC) and Adaptive Roll Compensation
 * Standard Aisin eight-speed automatic transmission

Touareg Hybrid (2010-)
The vehicle was unveiled in 2010 Geneva Motor Show, and later in 2010 New York International Auto Show , 2010 Guangzhou Auto Show.

Chinese model went on sale in early 2011.

Race Touareg 3
It is a race car for 2011 Dakar rally, replacing Race Touareg 2. It included 2.5-litre twin-turbocharged TDI engine rated 300 PS, 5-speed sequential gearbox and a ZF-Sachs three-plate ceramic clutch, steel spaceframe chassis, BF Goodrich 235/85 R16 tyres.

2011 Qatar Motor Show concepts (2011)
Race Touareg 3 Qatar is a concept car based on the Race Touareg 3, for street use. It included BBS 18-inch gold wheels, Serpentino Grey Metallic safety cage, Recaro racing bucket seats, Matt Carbon interior trim, "Black" and "Pure Grey" Nubuk leather upholstery at seat side supports and the door trim panels, Titan Black Nappa leather-upholstered centre seat panels, two-tone seams and silver piping on the seat covers and safety-related items painted in Tornado Red.

Touareg Gold Edition is based on Touareg with 4.2 V8 FSI engine. It included custom designed 22-inch wheels, roof rails, protective guard strips and window frames, mirror caps and parts of the air intake frame, "Magic Morning" body colour, 24-carat gold accents and switches, "Luna" interior trim colour, Luna Alcantara roofliner and Nappa leather seats, natural brown leather dashboard with Magnolia seams, floor mats in Natural brown with leather inserts in "Luna".

The vehicles were unveiled in 2011 Qatar Motor Show.

Marketing
As part of National Museum of China sponsorship, Touareg Hybrid vehicles were offered as free shuttle service - named “Museum Hopping” - between the National Museum, the Palace Museum and the National Art Museum.

Motorsports
A modified Touareg dubbed Stanley won the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge.

Pikes Peak
VW Touareg TDI entered the 85th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, with V10 TDI Touaregs and a V6 TDI Touareg, driven by Ryan Arciero, Mike Miller and Chris Blais. Arciero won the race with a time of 13:17:703 and set a new division record for the fastest time with a diesel powered vehicle. Miller finished in second with a time of 13:25:247. Chris Blais finished in third with a time of 15:48:312.

Baja 500
The 2.5L R5 TDI won a 2007 Baja 500 class with drivers Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/South Africa).

Baja 1000
It included a 5.5 L V12 clean diesel engine with dual Garrett TR30R turbochargers rated 550 PS and 850 Nm, Xtrac six-peed sequential transmission, 9-in ch rear axle, Fox Racing Shocks, KMC 17" Custom Forged Beadlock wheels with BFGoodrich Baja KRT 37x13.5x17 tires, Lowrance 9200 GPS, Sparco Carbon Fiber Racing seats. It used mid-engine, rear wheel drive layout. The chassis and body were designed by Arciero Miller Racing and Volkswagen Design Center California respectively.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 LA Auto Show.

The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck completed 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 race with 13th position for Trophy Truck Class. The vehicle was driven by Mark Miller.

Dakar rally
In the 2003 Dakar Rally, Volkswagen entered a team of rear wheel drive Tarek buggies. VW claimed sixth overall, driven by Stephane Henrard and co-driver Bobby Willis. In the following year, the 2004 Dakar Rally saw the debut rally for the T2 class purpose built Race Touareg by Volkswagen Motorsport. Bruno Saby and co driver Matthew Stevenson claimed sixth position overall. In the 2005 Dakar Rally, Jutta Kleinschmidt and co driver Fabrizia Pons claimed third spot overall in the Race Touareg.

In the 2006 Dakar Rally, VW driver Giniel de Villiers and co driver Tina Thorner claimed second spot the highest ever for a diesel model in the new Race Touareg 2. It has a shorter wheelbase than the original Race Touareg, as well as increased visibility. For the 2007 Dakar Rally, VW driver Mark Miller and Ralph Pitchford drove the Race Touareg 2 to 4th position overall. In the 2008 Central Europe Rally, Carlos Sainz drove his Race Touareg 2 to victory. Finally, in the 2009 edition of Rally Dakar, Volkswagen achieved a one-two result. Giniel de Villiers and co driver Dirk von Zitzewitz won the race ahead of Mark Miller and Ralph Pitchford. With just two days to go, Carlos Sainz crashed out after dominating the rally for several days, thus preventing Volkswagen from making it a one-two-three result.

A 1/32 slot car model of the Red Bull-sponsored Touareg, which is designed to run on the company's RAID track (which simulates off-road racing) is available from Ninco.

Power Output: VW Dakar Racers
 * 2007 Race-Touareg 2 (T2 spec) 2.5 TDI 285 hp/209 kW
 * 2006 Race-Touareg 2 (T2 spec) 2.5 TDI 275 hp/202 kW
 * 2005 Race-Touareg (T2 spec) 2.5 TDI 260 hp/191 kW
 * 2004 Race-Touareg (T2 spec) 2.3 TDI 231 hp/170 kW
 * 2003 Tarek 1.9 TDI 218 hp/160 kW

Awards
The Touareg was Car and Driver magazine's Best Luxury SUV for 2003, Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year for 2004, "Four Wheeler" magazine's Four Wheeler of the Year for 2005, and Overlander's 2003 4WDOTY.

Recalls and failures
The first generation Touareg has had reports regarding premature failure of the center support bearing. This failure has occurred after 100,000 km, beyond the vehicle warranty coverage. VW dealers recommend the fitting of a non-genuine bearing part or the replacement of the entire drive tail shaft assembly.

Certain Australian Touareg vehicles have been recalled due to faulty rear belt locks that may have been fitted because of a riveting defect.