There are two V6 Touaregs available in Canada. The 3.6 litre has a gas engine while the 3.0 litre version is a direct injected diesel that meets our new emissions standard. The only transmission available for either Touareg is a six-speed Tiptronic automatic.
Diesel Positives
The two main reasons for laying down the extra cash for a diesel TDI engine are torque and money. The torque that a diesel puts out is much higher that an equivalent gas engine. In this case, the torque output is of 406 lb. ft. Horsepower comes in at 225. You can now tow trailers with more ease than with the average gas engine and it also gets the 2,332 kg. Touareg up to 100 kph in 8.9 seconds.
Reason number two is fuel economy. The TDI is rated at 8.0 litres per 100 km on the highway and diesel is usually a few pennies per litre cheaper than gasoline, depending on your location. When you compare these numbers with anything else of this size, it is tough to beat. The part I liked best was that this was real close to what I could achieve on a calm day when I behaved myself.
Diesel Negatives
Since there is no free lunch, there are drawbacks to diesels that keep many buyers away. The smell of the fuel when refueling can be handled by getting gloves and keeping them in a resealable container. The other thing you can do is only patronize filling stations that keep the diesel area clean so that you lessen the chances of getting any fuel on you or your clothes.
The new low Sulpher fuels and technology make the exhaust of the diesel meet the same Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards as gas engines. You also have to use the new low ash diesel oil when you change oil and this adds a bit to the cost of ownership.
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| There are two V6 Touaregs available in Canada. The 3.6 litre has a gas engine while the 3.0 litre version is a direct injected diesel that meets our new emissions standard. (Photo: Charles Renny/Auto123.com) |
Diesel Positives
The two main reasons for laying down the extra cash for a diesel TDI engine are torque and money. The torque that a diesel puts out is much higher that an equivalent gas engine. In this case, the torque output is of 406 lb. ft. Horsepower comes in at 225. You can now tow trailers with more ease than with the average gas engine and it also gets the 2,332 kg. Touareg up to 100 kph in 8.9 seconds.
Reason number two is fuel economy. The TDI is rated at 8.0 litres per 100 km on the highway and diesel is usually a few pennies per litre cheaper than gasoline, depending on your location. When you compare these numbers with anything else of this size, it is tough to beat. The part I liked best was that this was real close to what I could achieve on a calm day when I behaved myself.
Diesel Negatives
Since there is no free lunch, there are drawbacks to diesels that keep many buyers away. The smell of the fuel when refueling can be handled by getting gloves and keeping them in a resealable container. The other thing you can do is only patronize filling stations that keep the diesel area clean so that you lessen the chances of getting any fuel on you or your clothes.
The new low Sulpher fuels and technology make the exhaust of the diesel meet the same Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards as gas engines. You also have to use the new low ash diesel oil when you change oil and this adds a bit to the cost of ownership.
 |
| The TDI is rated at 8.0 litres per 100 km on the highway and diesel is usually a few pennies per litre cheaper than gasoline, depending on your location.(Photo: Charles Renny/Auto123.com) |