The Porsche-Audi-Volkswagen SUV Trinity To Be UpdatedFor those not in the know, or others who may have outright
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The 3.2 V6 in the Touareg is strong, but not strong enough to move this heavy SUV with any enthusiasm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
forgotten, the most basic Volkswagen Touareg is powered by a 3.2-litre 15-degree (narrow-angle) V6, known to most as the VR6. It produces 240-horsepower, and has been used to power many other Volkswagens including the R32, Audi TT and A3 3.2 (250-hp), the European-market Passat not to mention the very rare New Beetle RSi.
The VR6 has a rich history, which spanned the better part of the '90s, powering most everything from the Golf to the sporty but long-dead Corrado. With the exception of the base model Phaeton, unavailable in North America, and the 2000 through 2003 Eurovan, a trend has emerged: the VR6 is Volkswagen's choice engine for providing considerable amounts of power to relatively lightweight automobiles.
Without any particular stretch of the imagination, the 3.2-litre unit found under the Touareg's hood is a bit overtaxed, considering the curb weight of this big, two and a half ton, leather-lined Safari cruiser. The spec sheet confirms; even with a six-speed automatic, the burden on the motor is great, taking 9.4 seconds to reach 100 km/h.
So,
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Passat's FSI VR6 should slash a considerable amount of time off the Touareg's acceleration numbers. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Volkswagen has done what the masses have begged for from the start - added a more powerful base engine. Starting soon, Volkswagen will replace the old VR6 with an all-new, slightly larger 3.6-litre VR6, which made its debut in the top of the line U.S.-model Passat. Not only does the replacement engine have a 0.4-litre displacement advantage over the old engine, but it also features FSI direct injection, as well as variable valve timing and a variable intake manifold. This makes for a significant improvement in power, up by 40-horsepower and 37 lb-ft of torque. With the new, larger engine, fuel economy is nearly as good as that in the smaller engine, delivering 13.5 L/100 km on a mix between city and highway driving.
The Touareg is also expected to receive a facelift within a year's time.
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Could this be the end of the 3.2L VR6? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press )
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The new, 2007 model has been spied, undisguised, in cold-weather testing wearing new teardrop-style headlamps, new tail lamps that mimic the luxurious Phaeton, as well as new lower fascias all around. Inside, Volkswagen has planned minor revisions which include a reworked centre console, as well as new instruments. These changes mirror similar ones expected to show up on its Porsche Cayenne sister-ship. Expect the new engine to debut with the facelifted car later this year; possibly in New York, or even as a last-minute offering at Geneva.
In
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Q7 Hybrid Concept marked Audi's alternative power intentions. (Photo: Audi Canada) |
other related news, the Audi Q7, which is loosely based off the Touareg/Cayenne architecture, but with seven seats and without the added weight of the off-road specified undercarriage, may also feature the new engine. At its North American debut in Detroit, Audi announced that base-model Q7s would use the 3.2-litre FSI V6 engine in the A4 and A6. At 255-horsepower, it seemed plenty, that is, until the announcement of the more powerful Touareg VR6. In order not to be out-classed by its lower brand, it would make logical sense for Audi to adapt the more powerful FSI VR6 engine to the new Q7.