This is a followup of wmquan's post in the general discussions:
Volkswagen has publically released the first four official photos of its Touareg sport utility vehicle due to be introduced this fall at the Paris Auto Show.
Volkswagen and Porsche jointly developed their SUV projects together to help defray development costs and pool resources. The Touareg utilizes the same basic platform and AWD system as the Porsche Cayenne, but has its own distinctive (and far better looking) sheetmetal. Although deceiving at first look, the Touareg is larger than photos would suggest: 76 inches wide and 67.7 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 112.6 inches. The overall length of the Touareg is 187 inches. Compared to the BMW X5 4.6is the Touareg sits 4 inches longer, 2 inches wider, with a wheelbase 1.5 inches longer and a mere half inch difference in height.
The all-wheel-drive system is also all-new as both companies wanted a vehicle that is as capable off-road as it is on the road. The fully electronic AWD system utilizes electronically controlled differentials that can be programmed to respond to both pre-mapped preferences (say a 30/70 front to rear wheel drive bias) and to varying conditions of both slip and driver demands. For instance if full throttle is applied from a stop, the system will use actual throttle measurement to apply more torque to the rear wheels in anticipation of front slip (as opposed to a system that must detect slip first before diverting power or locking differentials). The system will still detect slip though and divert more power to the wheels that need it most. The system employs an inter-axle differential lock and also has a true low-range gear set for those demanding conditions that warrant it. Towing capacity is 7,716 lbs and Volkswagen claims more than 11 inches of ground clearance and the ability to ford through water up to 23 inches deep.
The AWD system in the Porsche will reportedly be set with more rear power bias than in the Volkswagen application to give it more traditional Porsche handling and power characteristics. However, the Volkswagen application will reportedly be more suited to hard-core off-road usage due to different programming of the AWD system electronics and its more neutral handling characteristics. Both models will be highly capable off-roaders according to engineers from VW and Porsche as they benchmarked the Touareg and Cayenne against all major competitors available including Jeep, Mercedes, BMW, GMC and others.
At the German market launch, the Touareg will be available with a 3.2-liter VR6 engine and a 5.0 litre V10 TDI engine. The VR6 engine has a power output of 220 bhp and develops up to 225 lbs-ft of torque. The world's most powerful passenger car diesel engine is the V10 TDI with unit injectors and bi-turbo charging. It has a power output of 313 bhp and develops an impressive 551 lbs-ft of torque at 1800 rpm. Two other engines will be added to the lineup at a later date: a new five-cylinder TDI with 2.5 litres displacement and a 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine. Six-speed gearboxes are fitted as standard - the choice between automatic and manual is determined by the engine size. With the automatic gearboxes, the driver can use DSP (dynamic shift programme) the Tiptronic gear lever, or, if fitted, the steering wheel paddles, to influence gear shifting. Here in North America the Touareg will be offered initially with the 3.2l VR6 and 4.2l V8. Neither vehicle will offer a manual six-speed transmission here in North America.
The Touareg is likely to be introduced for the North American market at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next year and expected to start at around $35,000 for the V6 model when it arrives. We'll have a full preview including drive impressions later this summer.
Volkswagen has publically released the first four official photos of its Touareg sport utility vehicle due to be introduced this fall at the Paris Auto Show.
Volkswagen and Porsche jointly developed their SUV projects together to help defray development costs and pool resources. The Touareg utilizes the same basic platform and AWD system as the Porsche Cayenne, but has its own distinctive (and far better looking) sheetmetal. Although deceiving at first look, the Touareg is larger than photos would suggest: 76 inches wide and 67.7 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 112.6 inches. The overall length of the Touareg is 187 inches. Compared to the BMW X5 4.6is the Touareg sits 4 inches longer, 2 inches wider, with a wheelbase 1.5 inches longer and a mere half inch difference in height.
The all-wheel-drive system is also all-new as both companies wanted a vehicle that is as capable off-road as it is on the road. The fully electronic AWD system utilizes electronically controlled differentials that can be programmed to respond to both pre-mapped preferences (say a 30/70 front to rear wheel drive bias) and to varying conditions of both slip and driver demands. For instance if full throttle is applied from a stop, the system will use actual throttle measurement to apply more torque to the rear wheels in anticipation of front slip (as opposed to a system that must detect slip first before diverting power or locking differentials). The system will still detect slip though and divert more power to the wheels that need it most. The system employs an inter-axle differential lock and also has a true low-range gear set for those demanding conditions that warrant it. Towing capacity is 7,716 lbs and Volkswagen claims more than 11 inches of ground clearance and the ability to ford through water up to 23 inches deep.
The AWD system in the Porsche will reportedly be set with more rear power bias than in the Volkswagen application to give it more traditional Porsche handling and power characteristics. However, the Volkswagen application will reportedly be more suited to hard-core off-road usage due to different programming of the AWD system electronics and its more neutral handling characteristics. Both models will be highly capable off-roaders according to engineers from VW and Porsche as they benchmarked the Touareg and Cayenne against all major competitors available including Jeep, Mercedes, BMW, GMC and others.
At the German market launch, the Touareg will be available with a 3.2-liter VR6 engine and a 5.0 litre V10 TDI engine. The VR6 engine has a power output of 220 bhp and develops up to 225 lbs-ft of torque. The world's most powerful passenger car diesel engine is the V10 TDI with unit injectors and bi-turbo charging. It has a power output of 313 bhp and develops an impressive 551 lbs-ft of torque at 1800 rpm. Two other engines will be added to the lineup at a later date: a new five-cylinder TDI with 2.5 litres displacement and a 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine. Six-speed gearboxes are fitted as standard - the choice between automatic and manual is determined by the engine size. With the automatic gearboxes, the driver can use DSP (dynamic shift programme) the Tiptronic gear lever, or, if fitted, the steering wheel paddles, to influence gear shifting. Here in North America the Touareg will be offered initially with the 3.2l VR6 and 4.2l V8. Neither vehicle will offer a manual six-speed transmission here in North America.
The Touareg is likely to be introduced for the North American market at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next year and expected to start at around $35,000 for the V6 model when it arrives. We'll have a full preview including drive impressions later this summer.
(I get to drive our MDX so I'm 
