Volkswagen Touareg - Civilised Mudplugger

Think you have seen this brute somewhere? Think again, for this diesel engined SUV with that VW logo is out to say reputations and headed for India.

Story: Vikram Gour Photography: Mani Babbar

Volkswagen. In German it means 'people's car'. The company has a colourful history, given that its best seller, the Beetle was up and running thanks to one Adolf Hitler. If the man's name sounds familiar, it is only coincidental.

Volkswagen, may not be spoken of in the same breath as other more high profile German marques as Mercedes-Benz and BMW but today it has acquired a status and profile not to mention critical mass which has given it the means to stand on near equal footing with its more illustrious domestic compatriots. The peoples car maker has evolved with changing times and today it is the one that has set the pace in more ways than one. Add to that a portfolio which includes such great marques like Audi, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti and also Seat and you get an idea of what it stands for in the international automotive realm. The combined products of all these VW owned brands have been representative of the present requirements expected by car buyers across the globe. With time, their quality levels have consistently developed and today they sit right on top of the German standards list - no mean feat for a car maker for the masses.

Keeping in mind the world's largest car market - the US, Volkswagen decided that an SUV was required in the product line up and the Touareg was born. Of course it helped that it also had Porsche contributing to the development so that both could share the same structure and manufacturing facilities to an extent without mixing the core values which each of them stood for.

The Touareg walked straight into the Mercedes-M Class and BMW X5 territory to put up a healthy fight and it was able to hold its own. Its off-roading capabilities and onroad manners were a hit from the start and it also came with some great engine options. In fact, given the hype about the new M-class and also the X5 plus the Cayenne, it is the Touareg V10 TDi which has had pundits giving it the verdict as the most complete and capable SUV of them all!

And it's now coming to India. VW having decided to offer it thru the CBU route along with other models from its range (read that as Passat, Phaeton and Multivan). All versions of the Touareg would be available in India including the much vaunted top end V10 TDi thru VW's official dealer - Delhi-based Kayshap Motors. And before we could even so much as suggest, we had a V6 3.0 TDI Touareg waiting for us to drive.

There she was, sparkling in the morning light, pristine, bold and dressed in black. Sitting high on big 18" rims, the Touareg possesses the look that you would expect from an SUV. The quality, fit and the subtle lines are German characteristics... not too boring, yet extremely classy. The design wasn't cutting edge but having said that, the Touareg belongs to the present, not the future or the past. The large VW logo is prominently slotted in the grill making sure that everyone knows its parentage. The front and rear wheel arches flow with the design of the vehicle giving it the typical muscular stance.

"THE TOUAREG LIVES IN MERCEDES M-CLASS AND BMW X5 TERRITORY, AND HOLDS ITS OWN"

Under the hood is where the real story lies. This particular vehicle we got to drive featured a 3.0-litre V6 Turbo Diesel Direct Injection Engine (TDI) which belts out a more than ample 225 bhp at 4000 rpm. Torque is an amazing 500Nm at a measley 1750 rpm, making sure that you get enough grunt even at the lower end of the spectrum. Mated to a six speed automatic gearbox ( you also have the choice to use the Tiptronic),this vehicle is capable of speeds of around 200km/h. Its maker claim's that the V6 diesel does the 0-100 dash in about 9.9 seconds. Judging by that figure it is hard to believe that this is actually a diesel.

Getting inside was easy although the Touareg does not have a sidestep, again highlighting the fact that this is a true off-roader and has left the sidesteps out so that they do not interfere with genuine off-roading. It is essentially a five-seater and is smaller than the X5 or the M Class. The steering wheel felt spot on, and the electronically adjustable seats helped in finding the perfect driving position. The rear seats are very comfortable and there is enough legroom even for my 6ft 2 frame to sit inside conveniently. This interior space is thanks to the company leaving out a third row of seats. The fit and feel of the equipment feels top notch and if you still possess notions that Volkswagen is a people's car company, think again. The vehicle is very upmarket and comes equipped with a high level of gizmos and gadgetry. The rear boot space is large enough to pack in luggage for a family and I am sure nobody will complain about that.

Cranking up the engine, there is no mistaking the engine for anything but a diesel. Although it is not loud, a slight amount of diesel clatter can be heard from the outside. However, seated inside with the doors firmly shut, there is no way you can tell that this vehicle has an oil-burner powerplant under its hood. Shifting the six speed automatic gearbox into drive and stepping on the accelerator, the Touareg surged ahead. The autobox shifted seamlessly and the SUV powered up to three digit speeds in no time at all. The whole time that I was driving it, I couldn't help noticing how easy it was to drive. It is powerful, extremely manoeuvrable, and is also very stable even under braking. Although I didn't get to take any fast corners, the steering felt responsive and the overall handling of the SUV was confidence inspiring. The only qualm I had was with reversing. The spare tyre obstructs the rear view and this may be a little irritating when having to park in tight spots, a common problem in our crowded cities.

Priced at about Rs 42,00,000/0 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Touareg is an excellent choice for the uber rich to buy a true SUV. The V6 TDI would be a great option as it offers the best of both worlds. Performance coupled with decent mileage. I feel that this car is definitely a winner, but for those who beg to differ with my opinion there is also a V10 TDI available, albeit at a higher sticker price! Happy driving.

Source: Car India March 2006.