The passenger compartment of the X5 remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger. However, the driver knee airbag was found not to have deployed correctly. The score for this body area was penalised and BMW were not allowed to demonstrate that structures in the dashboard did not present a risk of injury to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions. Accordingly, protection of the driver's knee, femur and pelvis body region was rated as weak. On the passenger side, there is no knee airbag and protection was rated as good. In the full-width rigid barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was at least adequate for both the driver and the rear passenger. In the side barrier test, maximum points were scored, with good protection of all critical body areas. In the more severe side pole impact, dummy readings of chest compression indicated marginal compression for this body region, with other parts of the body being well protected. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection. The standard-fit autonomous emergency braking system performed well in tests of its functionality at the low speeds, typical of city driving, at which many whiplash injuries are caused.
For the two six-cylinder engines the basic technical layout and the cubic capacity of 2,967 cc are identical. At the first power level the turbocharged direct injection diesel engine develops output of 150 kW / 204 (from 3,250 rpm). The maximum torque of an impressive 450 Nm is already available at just 1,250 rpm and remains consistently at this level up to 3,250 rpm. Consumption on the 150-kW version has been reduced from 7.0 to 6.6 litres of diesel per 100 km; this equates to CO2 emissions of 173 g/km. With this engine the Touareg accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and has a top speed of 206 km/h. The output of the more powerful V6 TDI has been increased from 180 kW (245 PS) to 193 kW (262 PS) now (from 4,000 rpm). With torque of 580 Nm (from 1,750 rpm), the 262-PS SUV makes not only a supreme touring car, but a particularly powerful towing vehicle as well.
Important: all Touareg models have a towing capacity of up to 3,500 kg (with brakes up to 12% / without brakes up to 8% incline) on the swivelling (electrically unlocking) tow-bar. Despite the increased output, the large V6 TDI engine's consumption fell from 7.2 to an identical 6.6 l/100 km (174 g/km CO2). The 262-PS Touareg V6 TDI reaches 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and has a top speed of 225 km/h. The most powerful TDI in the Touareg range is a V8 with an engine displacement of 4,134 cc and power output of 250 kW / 340 PS (at 4,000 rpm). Like the V6 TDI, the V8 TDI works with a common rail direct injection system. The unusually high maximum torque of 800 Newton metres is available at between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. Juxtaposed to that is fuel consumption of, considering the power output, a modest 9.1 l/100 km (equating to 239 g/km CO2). Like the V6 TDI, the V8 TDI also has a thermal management system with a switched water pump in order to shorten the warm-up phase.
The Touareg V8 TDI achieves a top speed of 242 km/h and accelerates to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds - the sports car among the Touareg TDI models. The Touareg has as standard permanent four-wheel drive system (4MOTION; 31-degree uphill capability) and a steel-spring suspension; the running gear has been extensively upgraded. As an option Volkswagen also offers the Touareg with a four-wheel drive system (4MOTION 'Terrain Tech'; 45-degree uphill capability) complete with low range gear and innovative air suspension that is even more suitable for off-road use. In the standard configuration, the Touareg has four-wheel drive with a self-locking Torsen transfer case (uphill capability of 31 degrees) and electronic differential locks (EDS) at all four wheels. The Touareg is also equipped as standard with an 'Off-road Driving Programme', which attunes the ABS, EDS and ASR to off-road use, activates Hill Descent Assist and adapts the shift points of the automatic gearbox. In the case of the Touareg in particular there are some customers worldwide who use the SUV under the most extreme conditions.
In combination with the 193 kW / 262 PS Touareg V6 TDI these customers can call on a 4MOTION drive system with the capacity to climb inclines of up to 45 degrees. This option is offered as a 'Terrain Tech' version. It includes a lockable centre differential with electrically controlled multi-plate lock and reduction gear (2.69:1), plus greater ground clearance (10 millimetres at the front, 15 at the rear). In normal operation there is a seamless, slip-dependent distribution of tractive power between front and rear axle (40:60). Additionally, it is possible to lock the centre differential in order to achieve a fixed distribution of power. In both 4MOTION systems the Stop-Start system can be manually disabled during off-road use. In combination with 'Terrain Tech', it is possible to switch off the ESC as well. In the case of vehicles with air suspension any unwanted lowering of the vehicle from the off-road level can be prevented via a 'Lock' button, which limits the speed of the Touareg to 70 km/h. Volkswagen is offering the Touareg with a steel-spring suspension or optional air suspension running gear. The steel-spring suspension with independent wheel suspension used all round has now been further enhanced.
