Volkswagen Touareg R world premiere

Volkswagen Touareg R – plug-in hybrid

Volkswagen Touareg R – plug-in hybridVolkswagen is set to add a range-topping new premium model to its flagship Touareg line – the Touareg R*.

The ver- satile model’s 340 kW (462 PS) plug-in hybrid drive offers an innovative blend of superlative performance and electric efficiency.

When the battery is sufficiently charged, the new SUV always starts in the all-electric E-MODE for zero emissions. The battery capacity is designed so that the Touareg R can cover the average daily commute under electric power. Like all Touareg models, the new R version comes with permanent all-wheel drive (4MO- TION) as standard. 4MOTION and the powerful drive system (700 Nm of torque) means the Touareg R has also been homologated for a maximum trailer weight of 3.5 tonnes. The premium model can cope with this maxi- mum trailer weight even in E-MODE. As the first plug-in hybrid SUV in the world, the Touareg can also be fitted with the trailer manoeuvring system Trailer Assist. And yet another first: the Touareg will be available with Travel Assist for the first time. The premium model will be the first Volkswagen to boast assisted driving (automatic longitudinal and lateral guidance) up to a speed of 250 km/h.

The new flagship model was designed by the Volkswagen R performance brand, which traditionally develops the sportiest models in the Volkswagen range. The Touareg R represents a par- adigm shift – it is the first Volkswagen R model to feature a plug-in hybrid drive. It is also the first time a hybrid model has been the most highly-pow- ered Volkswagen. The extremely well appointed Touareg R, which features the Black Style exterior design package along with 20-inch alloy wheels (Braga) and R-Line interior trim (including Vienna leather with crystal grey stitching), is set to enter the market in the second half of 2020.

The Touareg R is the third plug-in hybrid model in Volkswagen’s European product line, following in the wheel-tracks of the Golf and Passat. The Touareg R is the first all-wheel drive model in Volkswagen’s PHEV range, and is also another milestone in the realignment of Volkswagen R that started in 2019. Jost Capito, managing director of the Group’s in-house performance brand, explains: “We are currently vigorously expanding the Volkswagen R range. Following the compact CUV models – T-Roc R1and T-Roc Cabriolet R-Line2 – Volkswagen R is introducing another sport utility vehicle within a very short space of time – the Touareg R, which has a quite unique position and unrivalled charisma.” The Touareg R is syn- onymous with a new and intelligent level of electric performance in seg- ment of large touring SUVs.

The SUV product line is currently available with one turbocharged petrol engine (TSI) and three turbocharged diesel engines (TDI). The V6 TSI engine delivers a power output of 250 kW (340 PS)3. As a V6 TDI, the Touareg is available with two output levels: 170 kW (231 PS)4 and 210 kW (286 PS)5. The current most powerful Touareg is a V8 TDI with 310 kW (421 PS)6. Volkswagen is adding a range-topping model in the form of the new Touareg R.

The hybrid drive of the Touareg R essentially consists of a 2,995 cm3 V6 turbocharged petrol engine, the electric drive motor and a lithium-ion battery (energy capacity of 14.1 kWh) built into the luggage compartment underbody. The power electronics convert the direct current of the battery into alternating current for the electric drive motor. An 8- speed automatic gearbox (with Tiptronic) and a transfer box transmit power to the front and rear axles (4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive). A centre differential lock with asymmetric dynamic torque distribution (Torsen trac- tion) acts as a transfer box for the flow of forces between the front and rear axle. A maximum of 70% of the drive force reaches the front axle and up to 80% reaches the rear axle.

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The new top model in the product line and brand comes to market with an enhanced and customised range of standard equipment. The otherwise optional R-Line specification package and the Black Style exterior design package, which is also available for other models at extra cost, form the basic matrix of the standard configuration.

The exterior package includes R-style bumpers, body- colour bumpers and lower door sections, air intake grilles with black louvres, black trim strips on the side windows and black exterior mirror housings. One especially elegant feature is the radiator grille with black trim strips. In the case of the Touareg R, the package also includes a black trim strip on the lower part of the front bumper, the R logo (in the radiator grille, on the boot lid and on the signets on the front wings and doors) and darkened LED tail light clusters. The 20-inch Braga alloy wheels (black on the inside and bur- nished on the outside; alternatively in matt grey on the inside and burnished on the outside), body-colour wheel housing extensions and trapezoidal de- sign tailpipes all come as standard.

In the interior, the R equipment package consists of the following features – decorative trim on the dash panel and door inserts in Silver Wave aluminium, centre console trim in High Gloss Black and Silver Look, Vienna leather for the comfort seats with leather R logo in the head restraints, stainless steel load sill protection, new leather multifunction steering wheel generation (heated, with paddles, R logo, and button for op- tional Travel Assist), illuminated stainless steel sill panel trim with R logo, brushed stainless steel pedals and white background lighting. The stitching on the leather seats is finished in Crystal Grey, as are the edging strips on the textile floor mats and the decorative seams on the armrests, selector lever and door trim.

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