Volkswagen has finally unveiled the third generation 2019 VW Touareg, but before you get too excited there’s one big caveat - it’s not coming to the United States. Now that the U.S. Atlas, there’s no room for the Touareg in VW’s lineup here, but if you’re outside the U.S. ’ll be happy to hear that the new Touareg is more luxurious and bigger. The 2019 VW Touareg is based on the VW Group’s MLB platform, which is used by the Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga, Audi Q7 and even the new Lamborghini Urus. The new Touareg is a bit bigger than its predecessor, with its length being stretched 3.0-inches and its width being growing 1.7-inches. The bigger dimensions provide a bigger interior and more cargo space. The good news is that even though the 2019 Touareg is bigger, the SUV is now 234 pounds lighter thanks to more aluminum and high strength steel. From the front the new Touareg adopts a face that looks close to the new Arteon with its wide grille. The headlights are a lot more techy than they look since they are what VW calls LED matrix headlights with a whopping 128 LEDs per headlight. The front of the new Touareg is where most of the differences, since as you move back towards the rear the overall changes are more evolutionary than a drastic redo. Inside the interior is full of the latest tech with a massive 15-inch touchscreen in the center console and a 12-inch screen in front of the driver. In Europe, Volkswagen will initially offer two V6 diesel engines for the new Touareg with outputs of 228-hp and 281-hp. In some markets a 335-hp V6 gas engine and a 415-hp V8 turbodiesel will be offered. A new plug-in hybrid Touareg with 362-hp is being prepared for China.
This allows the new BMW X5 to coast without engine braking, for maximised fuel efficiency. In conjunction with the optional Navigation system Professional, highly fuel-efficient ECO PRO navigation routes can be selected. When the navigation system is activated, the Proactive Driving Assistant function also tells the driver exactly when to ease off the accelerator when approaching corners or a speed-restricted section of road, in order to save fuel. Along with the additional ECO PRO mode functions, the new BMW X5 also comes with many other BMW EfficientDynamics features. These include Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start Stop function, on-demand operation of ancillary units, Electric Power Steering, low roll-resistance tyres and a variety of weight- and drag-reducing features. Along with other measures, use of ultra-high-tensile steels in the body structure, thermoplastics in the side panels, aluminium in the bonnet and magnesium in the instrument panel support make the new BMW X5 the lightest vehicle in its class.
Intelligent lightweight design also means that the significantly increased standard specification compared with the previous model does not translate to increased vehicle weight. Indeed, depending on the model, the new BMW X5 actually tips the scales as much as 90 kg lighter than a comparably equipped corresponding model from the previous X5 generation. The BMW X5 also offers best-in-class aerodynamic design. Sports Activity Vehicles are a vehicle segment first defined by BMW. Their combination of confident, sure-footed off-road traction and sporty but comfortable on-road driving has made them a global success. The new BMW X5 represents a further evolution of these qualities, incorporating refinements to the all-wheel-drive system and chassis technology. Using the standard-fitted Driving Experience Control switch on the centre console, the drive settings can be matched to the requirements of the moment or to different driving situations. The suspension packages available for the new BMW X5 cater to individual requirements in terms of comfortable or sporty driving styles. The Comfort Adaptive Suspension package comprises Dynamic Damper control and air suspension with automatic self-levelling rear suspension. The electronic control logic adapts the damping characteristics to changing road conditions and driving situations.
Two different damping modes can be selected using the Driving Experience Control switch. The same functionality is also provided by the Adaptive M suspension, which is standard on the BMW X5 M50d and also part of the M Sport package for the other model versions. The various components of the Dynamic Adaptive Suspension package provide significantly sportier cornering dynamics. Dynamic Performance Control and the Dynamic Drive active roll stabilisation optimise directional stability and reduce body roll. Finally, the Professional Adaptive Suspension package maximises both comfort and dynamics. This option combines the components of the Comfort and Dynamic Suspension packages into an integrated system offering highest levels of driving enjoyment in all situations. All versions of the new BMW X5 are equipped as standard with Electric Power Steering. For the BMW X5 xDrive50i and the BMW X5 xDrive30d, active steering is optionally available which, in addition to varying the power assist, also adjusts the steering input required to turn the wheels in relation to vehicle speed.
