AdBlue is kept in a 16-litre reservoir mounted under the spare tire. The system uses about a liter of AdBlue every 1,000 km, so most people can have the reservoir refilled at every 15K service. But if need be, you can easily refill it yourself. Cost is expected to be two or three bucks a liter.
Fuel efficiency is rated at 8.0 L/100 km highway and 11.9 city, and expected range for a tank of diesel is over 1,200 kms.
It gets better: the engine produces 406 lb-ft of torque between 1,750 and 2,259 rpm. With that much grunt, and that flat a power curve, horsepower seems almost incidental (but figure on 225 hp at 3,750 rpm).
On the road
For a heavy and tallish SUV, the Touareg has always had stellar ride and handling, thanks mostly to those advanced AWD and air suspension systems. The TDI version has those on its side -- plus wonderful power-train drivability and civility.
At 100 km/h the engine revs at 1,750, right at the entrance to where those 400-plus "torques" are kicking around. This makes for a feeling of effortless cruising.
It has great passing power as well, though the feeling of acceleration is somewhat muted; it is after all, a big, heavy, well-planted AWD SUV.
The six-speed Tiptronic transmission seems particularly well matched to the engine, and shifts are super smooth.
The biggest power-train surprise was noise - or the absence of it. Only diesel zealots would be able to discern between how this engine sounds and how a gas-powered V6 sounds -- especially in the cabin. A poke around the engine bay reveals that much extra sound insulation was applied in various crannies, so no extra sound could leak out.
Bits and pieces
The vehicle underwent a mild revision in 2008, which included new seats and instrument cluster. Touareg debuted with a very classy, well-made, well-designed interior, and, by any measure it still looks and feels and sounds great (big loud stereo). The optional nav system features a touch screen, and even includes an altimeter feature, so you can keep track of your altitude, should you ever become really airborne.
Even with the new torque numbers, towing capacity is unchanged at 3,500 kg.
 |
| The TDI version has those on its side -- plus wonderful power-train drivability and civility. |
Fuel efficiency is rated at 8.0 L/100 km highway and 11.9 city, and expected range for a tank of diesel is over 1,200 kms.
It gets better: the engine produces 406 lb-ft of torque between 1,750 and 2,259 rpm. With that much grunt, and that flat a power curve, horsepower seems almost incidental (but figure on 225 hp at 3,750 rpm).
On the road
For a heavy and tallish SUV, the Touareg has always had stellar ride and handling, thanks mostly to those advanced AWD and air suspension systems. The TDI version has those on its side -- plus wonderful power-train drivability and civility.
At 100 km/h the engine revs at 1,750, right at the entrance to where those 400-plus "torques" are kicking around. This makes for a feeling of effortless cruising.
It has great passing power as well, though the feeling of acceleration is somewhat muted; it is after all, a big, heavy, well-planted AWD SUV.
The six-speed Tiptronic transmission seems particularly well matched to the engine, and shifts are super smooth.
The biggest power-train surprise was noise - or the absence of it. Only diesel zealots would be able to discern between how this engine sounds and how a gas-powered V6 sounds -- especially in the cabin. A poke around the engine bay reveals that much extra sound insulation was applied in various crannies, so no extra sound could leak out.
Bits and pieces
The vehicle underwent a mild revision in 2008, which included new seats and instrument cluster. Touareg debuted with a very classy, well-made, well-designed interior, and, by any measure it still looks and feels and sounds great (big loud stereo). The optional nav system features a touch screen, and even includes an altimeter feature, so you can keep track of your altitude, should you ever become really airborne.
Even with the new torque numbers, towing capacity is unchanged at 3,500 kg.
 |
| Touareg debuted with a very classy, well-made and well-designed interior. |