A new big daddy Volkswagen Touareg R has been announced for 2024, joining showrooms in Australia as the new flagship and most powerful VW ever offered.
Firstly, power. It comes from a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 that produces 250kW and 450Nm. That’s obviously not enough, so VW thought it might be interesting to bolt up a 100kW/400Nm electric motor. Combined, the system generates an impressive 340kW and 700Nm.
Across the 0-100km/h sprint, Volkswagen says the large SUV requires just 5.1 seconds. That makes it one of the quickest Volkswagens currently on the market. Being a plug-in hybrid, the big beast takes a Type 2 charge and can drive on electric power alone for a range of 51km.
Volkswagen says that even if the battery is depleted, it still runs more efficiently than the V8 and V10 predecessors. The official combined cycle consumption is listed at just 3.3L/100km.
Being the new flagship model the 2024 Touareg R comes equipped with loads of features and luxuries, including a 15-inch ‘Discover Premium’ touch-screen media interface and a 12-inch digital gauge cluster. This is all hooked up to a Dynaudio sound system.
There’s also wireless phone charging, five USB-C ports throughout, Pantera Black Puglia leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, an R sports steering wheel and other highlights, a thermal-imaging camera to improve safety, and some R trimmings on the outside with bespoke 22-inch wheels for that sporty look. Volkswagen passenger vehicles director Michal Szaniecki said:
“The Touareg R delivers the performance, the handling and the options-free appeal expected of our popular R division, while providing flagship SUV customers with greater choice and flexibility than ever. We know most of our Touareg customers have garages at home, and they will be able to plug their vehicle in at night as they would their smartphone, and drive with zero or close to zero emissions for their everyday driving.”
The 2024 Volkswagen Touareg R is on sale in Australia now, with prices starting from $129,990 (excluding on-road costs). Local deliveries are scheduled to begin in March. See below for the highlights:
- 340kW/700Nm 3.0L turbocharged petrol V6 and electric motor
- Eight-speed automatic
- 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive
- 52km EV-only driving range
- Mode 2 charging cable (Type 2 to Australian powerpoint)
- Mode 3 charging cable (Type 2 to Type 2)
- 3.3L/100km
- Air suspension
- 22-inch Estoril alloy wheels in glossy black
- Direct tyre pressure monitoring
- 19-inch front and 18-inch rear ventilated disc brakes with blue calipers and R logo
- High gloss black roof rails and window surrounds
- Black exterior mirror shells
- Blacked out front grille and rear apron
- Black sports exhaust
- ‘R’ logo projection from the front mirrors
- Power latching doors
- Easy Open&Close electric tailgate
- Panoramic sunroof with electric blind
- Night Vision
- Dynamic Road Sign Display
- IQ.LIGHT Matrix LED headlamps with adaptive high-beam
- Manoeuvre Braking front and rear
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Travel Assist
- Lane Assist
- Emergency Assist
- Proactive Occupant Protection
- Side Assist with Front and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Innovision cockpit (15in Discover Premium & 12in Digital Cockpit Pro)
- Wireless App-Connect
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Dynaudio premium sound system
- 5x USB-C ports between front and rear.
- Pantera Black Puglia leather seat upholstery
- Front seats with memory settings
- Heated front and outboard rear seats
- R sports steering wheel
- Quad-zone climate control
- Windshield projected head-up display
- Illuminated front scuff plates with R logo
- Power adjustable steering column with memory
- Brushed aluminium decorative inserts
