You may have recently read my reviews on Audi's Electromobility Strategy where I was given the opportunity to drive three very distinct yet engaging products: The R8 e-tron, the A1 e-tron and the Q5 Hybrid.
This time around, I got a few glimpses of what Volkswagen has coming our way, well almost, in the near future. This concise review deals with the all-new Touareg Hybrid and soon, I'll have a few words for you on the upcoming Golf Blue "E" Motion, that is, an all-electric Golf.
Although we Canadians were teased at first with the coming of Volkswagen's first hybrid in North America, we soon found out it was not to be. Like Mike Goetz said in his first impressions review. Those looking forward to what Wolfsburg has in store for us hybrid-wise will soon get to see the Jetta Hybrid.
Despite the fact that the Touareg Hybrid will not be crossing the border, I was given a brief opportunity to take one for a spin.
As is the norm for hybrid variants of existing products, physical differentiation is kept to a minimum. Other than unique 19” alloys and a few badges, very few people could tell the difference. That is, until you start it up and take off.
And take off you do, in total silence, if you're nice enough with the throttle pedal. The Touareg Hybrid features the same supercharged 3.0L V6 found in the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid S. It generates 380 hp and a whopping 425 lb-ft of torque. Yes, the hybrid version, the green equivalent, the environmentally friendlier clone of the Touareg is the high-performance iteration. It will reach 100 km/h in about 6.2 seconds, more than half a second faster than a GTI!
The Touareg Hybrid's system is parallel, in other words, the batteries can labour on their own. It consists in an electric motor with a compact disengagement clutch located between the V6 and transmission, a typical and very efficient setup. The battery pack is located in the rear, weighing in at 174 lbs or 70 kg.
More specs for number lovers: The supercharged V6 produces 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque and the electric motor, 46 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque.
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| Despite the fact that the Touareg Hybrid will not be crossing the border, I was given a brief opportunity to take one for a spin. (Photo: Volkswagen) |
This time around, I got a few glimpses of what Volkswagen has coming our way, well almost, in the near future. This concise review deals with the all-new Touareg Hybrid and soon, I'll have a few words for you on the upcoming Golf Blue "E" Motion, that is, an all-electric Golf.
Although we Canadians were teased at first with the coming of Volkswagen's first hybrid in North America, we soon found out it was not to be. Like Mike Goetz said in his first impressions review. Those looking forward to what Wolfsburg has in store for us hybrid-wise will soon get to see the Jetta Hybrid.
Despite the fact that the Touareg Hybrid will not be crossing the border, I was given a brief opportunity to take one for a spin.
As is the norm for hybrid variants of existing products, physical differentiation is kept to a minimum. Other than unique 19” alloys and a few badges, very few people could tell the difference. That is, until you start it up and take off.
And take off you do, in total silence, if you're nice enough with the throttle pedal. The Touareg Hybrid features the same supercharged 3.0L V6 found in the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid S. It generates 380 hp and a whopping 425 lb-ft of torque. Yes, the hybrid version, the green equivalent, the environmentally friendlier clone of the Touareg is the high-performance iteration. It will reach 100 km/h in about 6.2 seconds, more than half a second faster than a GTI!
The Touareg Hybrid's system is parallel, in other words, the batteries can labour on their own. It consists in an electric motor with a compact disengagement clutch located between the V6 and transmission, a typical and very efficient setup. The battery pack is located in the rear, weighing in at 174 lbs or 70 kg.
More specs for number lovers: The supercharged V6 produces 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque and the electric motor, 46 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque.
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| The battery pack is located in the rear, weighing in at 174 lbs or 70 kg. (Photo: Volkswagen) |