It seems as though fuel economies sometimes go overlooked for SUVs. The Touareg, for example, is one of the largest vehicles currently made by Volkswagen, but it still is engineered with maximum gas mileage in mind. The Touareg boasts a strong engine and luxurious style. It seemingly hits on all fronts and epitomizes what we want from an SUV. Continue reading to learn more. The biggest player in the fuel economy game is the engine. Each of the Touareg’s three trim levels feature the same engine option. A six-cylinder engine of 3.6 liters with 280 horsepower is what powers this SUV. It’s a large, powerful engine so the Touareg’s gas mileage is in accordance with that. Drivers will see up to 23 highway MPG, 17 city MPG, and average 19 combined MPG. For its class, those numbers are among the best. Torque also plays a factor in the Touareg’s performance. 266 pound-foot of torque at 2,500 rpm is produced. Every other similar model and SUV in the Touareg’s class averages a highway MPG somewhere between 20 and 27, so this ride is right in line with the rest. Its style, however, is what helps it to stand out. Oh, and the fuel tank is a big one as it holds 26.4 gallons of gasoline. Class and luxury are well-represented inside and out of the Touareg, and because of that its pricing is justified.
This is one of several reasons why Audi preferred it to a folding steel roof. What's more, its construction is much lighter in weight, which reduces the overall weight of the Cabriolet and lowers its center of gravity. The outer skin of the top is available in a choice of four colors, the inside in three. The softtop consists of three layers. The intermediate layer is a cushioning pad. In the optional acoustic top, which reduces wind noise almost to hardtop level, this is replaced by a foam layer up to 15 millimeters (0.59 in) in thickness. The acoustic top comes with a ceiling light for the rear seat - a solution usually only found in the topmost convertible luxury segment. In both versions, a hydraulic pump and four operating cylinders that move the top are actuated when a pushbutton on the central console or on the optional remote access assistant is depressed. It takes 15 seconds to open the top, 17 seconds to close it.
Both actions can also be actuated while driving at up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph) - which makes driving much more comfortable. When opened, the top is retracted underneath a fixed cover, where it is folded down into an extremely compact shape. Its storage compartment, which automatically lowers itself into the trunk space, only takes up a few centimeters in height - and only 60 liters (2.12 cu ft) of the 380 liters (13.42 cu ft) of luggage space. The remaining 320 liters (11.3 cu ft) with the top open are by far the best value among comparable vehicles. What's more, the low position of the loading lip makes loading and unloading easier. The wind deflector, which is supplied as standard, can be stored in the spare-wheel well to save space. A very convenient feature in the Audi A5 Cabriolet are the split folding rear seat backrests. They can be easily unlocked by actuating levers in the trunk and drop automatically onto the seat cushions.
The standard pass-though is 70 centimeters (27.56 in) wide. The loading space behind the front seatback is 1.76 meters (69.29 in) long, providing a total storage volume of 750 liters (26.49 cu ft). As is typical of Audi models, the A5 Cabriolet has an extremely rigid body. This is a prime reason for its precise driving performance, its high comfort level, and its maximized crash safety. In the construction of the body-in-white, several innovative technologies are used. A prime example are the ultra-high-strength steels with their extremely high tensile strength, which Audi manufactures in-house using hot forming. The front fenders of the Audi A5 Cabriolet are made of aluminum to lower the weight and to optimize axle load distribution. An enclosed underbody improves the airflow and thereby the fuel efficiency. A whole array of additional reinforcement parts compensates for the absence of a solid roof. They are located in the front section, in the side skirts, in the windshield frame, and in the rear section. Located between the interior and the luggage section is the rollover protection.
