The 2011 Touareg got more than just a facelift. This, claimed Volkswagen, was a complete overhaul, from stem to stern. Bigger and more powerful than its predecessor but 195 kilograms lighter, VW's largest SUV got a new turbo-diesel V-6 engine as well, which joined a 280-horsepower V-6 gas powerplant. The turbo-diesel TDI V-6 was arguably the most refined engine of its kind on the market. User-friendly, it displaced 3.0 litres and developed 225 horsepower, with a more-than-substantial 406 lb-ft of torque. Both diesel and gas powerplants were mated to an also-new Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission. VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive came with both engine choices, and an electronic stability control system was also standard issue. The full-time all-wheel-drive system featured an off-road setting and low range, and this generation of the Touareg had a 3,500-kilogram towing capacity. More if you were careful. On the other hand, the TDI version was more expensive than its gas-fueled stablemate.
As befits an upscale SUV, the 2011 Touareg came loaded. Standard equipment included a navi system, heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, Sirius satellite radio, hill-hold control, electronic brake distribution, and hill descent control for off-road enthusiasts. Options included leather interior, a massive power sunroof, power-adjusting steer wheel, rear-view camera and heated rear seats. There were three trim levels: Comfortline, Highline and Execline. Neither Transport Canada nor the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have any safety recalls out there for this year of Touareg. NHTSA, however, has nine technical service bulletins on file. These include non-starting and rough-running issues if the vehicle has sat for too long, "misfire or reduced engine performance," timing chain "slippage" and "rattling" noises coming from the engine after a cold start. NHTSA also has seven registered complaints from owners. The TDI versions of this generation of Touareg seem to be more problematic than the gas models. Describing the 2011 edition of the Touareg as "a huge improvement" over the previous iteration, Consumer Reports nonetheless gives it a "much worse than average" used-car prediction. The brakes, body hardware and fuel system are the most problematic areas - especially the latter. Market research firm J.D. Power, meanwhile, gives the 2012 version of the Touareg (aside from minor trim changes, there are virtually no differences between these two years) an "about-average" grade for overall quality, and "better than most" for overall performance and design. That said, it collected a "worse-than-average" grade for predicted reliability. 6,000, depending upon equipment level. 5,000 apart in terms of value. Horsepower/Torque: 280 hp / 265 ft. 225 hp / 406 ft. Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 11.9 city/8.0 (TDI).
Yet I don’t resent any of it. The A6 has cost around a grand a year in depreciation, gets mid-30s to the gallon and is as relaxing a motorway companion as its more modern sisters. The sat-nav still works, if without the slick precision of Audi’s current MMI, and there’s even very early Bluetooth to connect my phone. I know I could stretch to something more modern and reliable, but I’ve realised that I don’t really want to. Steve has always been famous for innovative transport solutions, and the mega-scooter looks like the cleverest of the lot: perfectly suited to both life in the smoke and trips to wider and more open spaces. He was certainly wearing the biggest grin by the time he got to Santa Pod. Maybe I should finally get a bike licence. I’d been hunting for a classic, underpowered Italian coupé for some time when I decided to cast my net wider, into mainland Europe. A vision of pale blue, three-box loveliness appeared in the classifieds as a 1974 Lancia Fulvia Coupé 1.3S. Pictured glowing among sun-drenched mountains outside Naples, its pull was too strong for a northern Brit mourning another summer.
I agreed to pay the private seller a little over £7k. Soon after, an indulgent detour around the Amalfi Coast preceded an uncannily pleasant buying experience that ended with espresso, home-made limoncello and hugs. The car was transported to Amsterdam, from where I drove it onto the Newcastle ferry and then home to Edinburgh. Never has 90.7 metric horsepower been enjoyed so fully, with the exotic 1298cc V4 roaring as its rally-bred chassis clung to the helter skelter backroads of the Borderlands. I want them all, but that’s what happens when you write Autocar’s used car buying guides. So best stick with my Vauxhall Astra, a 2006-registered 1.6 SXi three-door with 98,000 miles. It’s a marriage of convenience. Its former owner (son number two) bought a nearly new Volkswagen Scirocco in February and vowed to sell the Astra privately. Yeah, right… So to avoid it cluttering the place, I bought it.
It’s my second Astra. I did 60,000 miles in my first, a 2005-registered 1.8 automatic five-door. It was a Life, hence my kids always telling me to get one. It never put a wheel wrong: rugged, reliable and, when you pressed the Sport button, quick. I wasn’t surprised, then, when this second Astra turned out to be the same, sort of. Being the 103bhp 1.6-litre model, it lacks the 123bhp 1.8-litre car’s ‘muscle’, although there is a shove in the back at around 3750rpm. The sporty manual gearbox helps. Well, put it this way: fifth feels like fourth. The steering is quicker, although you have to be careful. The other day, I left a roundabout in the wet with a confident flick of the helm - and the tail flew out. At least Mrs Evans won’t be riding in it again. Back in July, I loaded it with camping gear and went to Ypres. It didn’t miss a beat.
