While all-season tires are standard, for this particular press function, the vehicles were shone with Pirelli Scorpion winter tires, which provided an extra measure of grip.
When it was time for a TDI, we were assigned a top-of-the-line Execline model, finished with a “Deep Black” exterior, and an interior resplendent with dark brown leather and even darker brown wood grain — very classy.
Usually a diesel engine takes a back seat to gasoline engines for refinement — but not this time. The 3.0-litre TDI units belts out 225 hp and 406-lb-ft of torque, but incredibly smoothly and quietly. It is very much the “upscale” engine in Touareg’s line-up
Trim lines and Pricing
Like most VWs, the Touareg trim hierarchy is Comfortline, Highline and Execline. The 3.6-litre V6 Comfortline starts the Touareg party going at $48,440. The 3.6-litre V6 Highline ($53,190) adds 12-way power front seats with lumbar, genuine burr walnut inserts, homelink, leather, memory settings, panoramic power sunroof, power rear seat backrest release, and power tailgate.
The 3.6-litre V6 Execline ($58,185) adds 19-inch wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with LEDs, 620-watt 12-speaker stereo, stop/start button, park distance control, review camera, heated steering wheel, and a few other goodies. TDI models are available in all trim lines, and are slightly better equipped than their gasoline equivalents.
The TDI Comfortline, for example, is $53,190, but for that money you also get the power tailgate. The Highline 3.0-litre TDI is $58,645, and ups the ante with heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and keyless access with stop-start button.
At the top of the charts is the Execline TDI at $63,135, which flaunts 20-inch wheels with sport suspension. Because VW figures many consumers will dig the high-tech look of the Bi-Xenon/LED light package, and the big wheels that come with the Sport Package, both will be available as stand-alone options on all trim lines.
No Hybrid
While other markets will also get the Touareg Hybrid, Canada will not, at least not right away. VW Canada figures the volume will be too small to justify the training and tooling investments required by VW retailers.
VW Canada will allow the higher volume Jetta Hybrid to begin the company’s Canadian hybrid adventure, and then decide later whether or not to invite a Touareg Hybrid to the party.
Double the Volume
VW is expecting this new-generation Touareg to double the nameplate’s sales in 2011. Yes, an increase of 100 percent!
But we’re talking 2,000 units in total. In the last few years, VW sold about 800 to 1,000 Touaregs a year.
The 3.6-litre vehicles will stack up against the likes of Volvo XC90, Lexus RX, Acura MDX, and Infiniti FX, while the TDI vehicles will go head to head with slightly more upscale vehicles, like Lexus RX450h, Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BleuTEC, and BMW X5 xDrive35d.
Judging from our first drive, VW will have no trouble meeting its sales objective. The Touareg can now offer competitive everything — plus a little exclusivity.
When it was time for a TDI, we were assigned a top-of-the-line Execline model, finished with a “Deep Black” exterior, and an interior resplendent with dark brown leather and even darker brown wood grain — very classy.
Usually a diesel engine takes a back seat to gasoline engines for refinement — but not this time. The 3.0-litre TDI units belts out 225 hp and 406-lb-ft of torque, but incredibly smoothly and quietly. It is very much the “upscale” engine in Touareg’s line-up
Trim lines and Pricing
Like most VWs, the Touareg trim hierarchy is Comfortline, Highline and Execline. The 3.6-litre V6 Comfortline starts the Touareg party going at $48,440. The 3.6-litre V6 Highline ($53,190) adds 12-way power front seats with lumbar, genuine burr walnut inserts, homelink, leather, memory settings, panoramic power sunroof, power rear seat backrest release, and power tailgate.
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| When it was time for a TDI, we were assigned a top-of-the-line Execline model, finished with a “Deep Black” exterior. (Photo: Mike Goetz/Auto123.com) |
The 3.6-litre V6 Execline ($58,185) adds 19-inch wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with LEDs, 620-watt 12-speaker stereo, stop/start button, park distance control, review camera, heated steering wheel, and a few other goodies. TDI models are available in all trim lines, and are slightly better equipped than their gasoline equivalents.
The TDI Comfortline, for example, is $53,190, but for that money you also get the power tailgate. The Highline 3.0-litre TDI is $58,645, and ups the ante with heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and keyless access with stop-start button.
At the top of the charts is the Execline TDI at $63,135, which flaunts 20-inch wheels with sport suspension. Because VW figures many consumers will dig the high-tech look of the Bi-Xenon/LED light package, and the big wheels that come with the Sport Package, both will be available as stand-alone options on all trim lines.
No Hybrid
While other markets will also get the Touareg Hybrid, Canada will not, at least not right away. VW Canada figures the volume will be too small to justify the training and tooling investments required by VW retailers.
VW Canada will allow the higher volume Jetta Hybrid to begin the company’s Canadian hybrid adventure, and then decide later whether or not to invite a Touareg Hybrid to the party.
Double the Volume
VW is expecting this new-generation Touareg to double the nameplate’s sales in 2011. Yes, an increase of 100 percent!
But we’re talking 2,000 units in total. In the last few years, VW sold about 800 to 1,000 Touaregs a year.
The 3.6-litre vehicles will stack up against the likes of Volvo XC90, Lexus RX, Acura MDX, and Infiniti FX, while the TDI vehicles will go head to head with slightly more upscale vehicles, like Lexus RX450h, Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BleuTEC, and BMW X5 xDrive35d.
Judging from our first drive, VW will have no trouble meeting its sales objective. The Touareg can now offer competitive everything — plus a little exclusivity.
2011 Volkswagen jetta Comfortline
2011 Volkswagen jetta Comfortline
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