The flagship VolkswagenTouareg SUV gets enhanced with a nip-and-tuck.
The third generation VolkswagenTouareg has been on sale since 2018 and now it has been given its first facelift since launch. This large SUV is the distant cousin of other VW Group SUVs such as the Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus and Audi Q7/Q8. Of course, being the least prestigious of these brands, theTouareg is positioned for the upper tier of the mass market instead of the 1% – as such over 1.13 millionTouaregs have been sold throughout its lifetime.
Key highlights of this latest model include the upgrade to IQ.Light HD LED matrix headlights,a new light strip, an illuminated VW logo, a new Innovision Cockpit, a roof load sensor, improved running gear, as well as the expected minor design tweaks that come with every facelift.
The HD LED matrix lights consist of 38,000 interactive micro LEDs for precise ‘light carpet’ illumination. For the headlights, there are three light modules with a horizontal light strip stretching across the front grille connecting the two clusters. Around back, theTouareg also features another horizontal LED strip that connects the rear tail light clusters. A red-illuminated VW logo is available for the first time at the rear. Both the front daytime running lights and rear LED graphics incorporate a new ‘L’ shaped motif.
The newTouareg can detect when a roof box is fitted and passes that information to the ESC for the appropriate adjustments to the active roll compensation and all-wheel steering. TheTouareg coems with Travel Assist, 360-degree Area View, Park Assist Plus with remote parking capability via app, Trailer Assist and Night Vision.
Powering theTouareg in 2023 will be a selection of 3-litre V6 turbo motors paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission with 4MOTION all-wheel drive:
- 340PS petrol
- 231PS diesel
- 286PS diesel
- 381PS plug-in hybrid petrol (Touareg eHybrid)
- 462PS plug-in hybrid petrol (Touareg R eHybrid)
The top-specTouareg T eHybrid model has been developed independently by Volkswagen R with its own set of features. Rim sizes range from 19″ to 21″. Standard steel spring suspension or optional air suspension has been made available with some modifications on this updated model.
Inside, the VW Touareg gets the ‘Innovision’ Cockpit, which integrates a 12″ digital instrument cluster and a 15″ infotainment system in a one-screen design. The system features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, high-gloss black controls and more. USB-C ports now are capable of high-speed 45W charging and there’s a new 730W Dynaudio sound system and heads-up display.
