For this year and the years to come, the name of the automotive game is “SUV”. And because Volkswagen has been pushing its SUV lineup to buyers across the globe, we are seeing an increase of VW SUV purchases. However, one long-standing model is getting axed from the U.S. We are sad to say that the Touareg will no longer be available here on U.S. So, what went wrong with the Touareg that Volkswagen decided it no longer would be sold in the United States? Keep reading to find out. The Touareg has long since been known as Volkswagen’s premium SUV, sporting many luxury features such as high-quality seating surfaces, touchscreen navigation and infotainment, and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. This midsize crossover also offered plenty of interior space, accommodating 5 passengers comfortably and giving them 32.1 cubic feet cargo space for all their belongings. Add in a brawny engine that could reach up to 280 horsepower, 266 lb-ft of torque, and tow nearly 8,000 pounds, and it is hard to imagine why Volkswagen would ever want to get rid of such a spectacular vehicle. What Will Replace the Volkswagen Touareg?
So, what went wrong? First, numbers have been routinely down for the Touareg ever since a few years ago. This is partly due to the fact that its starting MSRP was much higher compared to the other SUVs in the Volkswagen lineup. Because the next option was the fun and spirited Tiguan, drivers could choose to outfit that SUV with all best amenities while still coming in at a smaller price point. Volkswagen reps stated that the focus for the 2018 model year is the all-new Atlas and redesigned Tiguan, so efforts went to pushing those vehicles instead. In addition to the SUVs, VW wants to expand its electric vehicle lineup by 2020, leaving no room for the Touareg. Are you still interested in driving off the lot in a new Touareg? Then you’re in luck! We currently have a few 2017 Volkswagen Touareg models in stock here at New Century Volkswagen!
All acoustic tape, and the foam application noted above, is done while the unibody is in its just-manufactured "body-in-white" form - before attachment of key components and assemblies. Acoustic hole seals fill open areas inside the door structures, significantly reducing the amount of wind and road noise and vibration that can reach the cabin. The same Thinsulate material that is used in the doors is also used to reduce sound transmission through the roof and the body A-pillars (above). Air-leak reduction moldings and clips, a first for Accord, are positioned at key locations where the side windows slide into the doors. This helps reduce the possibility of audible air leaks occurring in these locations. Triple door sealing utilizes 360-degree molded door seals to reduce wind noise and improve isolation. Door gap seals at the rear door edges join the triple-sealed door openings and lower door-edge seals in keeping wind noise from entering the cabin. Engine compartment seals include front, side and rear hood seals, and sound-absorbing heat baffles on the hood and beneath the instrument panel.
Acoustic laminated windshield glass helps reduce noise entering the cabin. The 2018 Accord is available in 11 exterior colors including six pearlescent colors, four metallic colors and one solid color. New to Honda and the Accord are Platinum White Pearl and Radiant Red Metallic. The Platinum White Pearl color uses large-particle glass flakes for enhanced brilliance compared to traditional white pearl finishes, while in the Radiant Red Metallic color, glittering metallic particles radiate light in a distinctive fashion. The 10th generation 2018 Accord takes an entirely new approach to performance with its two new direct-injected VTEC Turbo® 4-cylinder engines with dual VTC - a 1.5-liter 16-valve inline-4 and a 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC inline-4. Both new turbocharged engines produce peak torque across a broad range of engine speed (RPM), delivering smooth and virtually lag-free power for exceptional throttle response and power delivery in all driving conditions. The two new automatic transmissions take greater advantage of available torque while maximizing quietness and efficiency during highway cruising. The redesigned CVT has an 11-percent lower ratio compared to the previous generation version for more powerful launch performance, while the new 10AT is 22 lbs.
43-percent lower first gear and a 17-percent taller top gear compared to the previous generation Honda Accord's 6-speed automatic. The new gas-engine powertrains are joined by the third generation of Honda's Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (iMMD) two-motor hybrid technology. The new hybrid powertrain features a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with improved thermal efficiently, now at 40 percent (up from 38.9 percent on the 2017 Accord Hybrid), the highest for any mass-produced Honda engine. The engine is paired with two Honda-developed electric motors that are the first drive motors in the world to use permanent magnets containing no heavy rare-earth metals. As before, the Accord two-motor system operates without the need for a conventional automatic transmission. Additionally, a new, more compact intelligent power unit (IPU) containing the hybrid battery pack and its control systems is now mounted under the rear floor instead of in the trunk. This packaging provides the same 16.7 cu. 60/40-split and folding rear seat, standard on the Accord Hybrid EX and above trims. The new DOHC 1.5-liter engine in the Accord is a further evolution of the powerplant first introduced in the 2016 Civic and later applied to the 2017 CR-V.
