Rumour turns to reality as Volkswagen has once again added onto the R family after revealing that a Touareg R50 is forthcoming and will debut at the Australian International Motor Show next week. As predicted, it will take it's looks from Volkswagen Individual's R-line Touareg. Volkswagen remains quiet about the R50's numbers but they do say that the R50 will gain a "generous" increase in power over the 5.0L V10 TDI that it is based on. The standard V10 TDI on the Touareg currently produces 313 hp and 553 lb. How they will top those already impressive numbers, I don't know but am eager to find out. From what I know, the R50 could possibly surpass the 365 hp and 625 ft. The R50 gets the standard R upgrades including upgraded wheels, suspension, exterior, and interior. A very short press release after the jump. In another world premiere for the Australian International Motor Show, Volkswagen has announced it will unveil its new Touareg R50 in Sydney next week (11 October). Developed by a team of specialists at Volkswagen Individual GmbH, the Touareg R50 is one of the most powerful SUVs in the world. While Volkswagen has yet to announce detailed specifications, it promises the R50 boasts "generous" increases on the 230kW of power and 750Nm of torque produced by the current V10 TDi model on which it is based. Bigger wheels and tyres and tweaked suspension complete the high-performance package. Volkswagen Individual GmbH has also designed new exterior and interior features to reflect the R philosophy. The R50 is the third model to appear under Volkswagen's sporty R label, following in the footsteps of the Golf R32 and the new Passat R36 - which was launched last month at the Frankfurt motor show. All three models have 4MOTION all-wheel drive to guarantee optimal traction.
Sadly, the adjustable modes did not address the lackluster powertrain. Even in Sport mode, the Q8’s transmission was sluggish. At least the Q8 is comfortable. The interior of the Q8 is lovely and features Audi’s new dual-touchscreen infotainment center. I love it. Audi long had the best user interface in the industry. This one is entirely different and even better. There are two touchscreens in the middle of the Q8. The one on the top handles media, mapping and vehicle settings. The one on the bottom is for climate control. Both feature fantastic haptic feedback. Hit a button on the screen, and a slight vibration makes it feel like you touched a real button. To me, this dual screen setup is a better solution than a giant screen like Tesla or Ram uses in their vehicles. In Audi’s solution, both are tilted to provide easy access, and there’s less of a learning curve.
The setup follows the general button placement found in cars for the last few decades. Climate is always on and always on the bottom. The radio and mapping screen is on the top and can be turned off to reduce distractions. A screen lives behind the steering wheel, too, and sports a similar layout to Audi’s current system. The driver can easily switch between information screens with the speedo and tach on either side. Hit a button on the steering wheel and the gauges reduce in size while the map increases. It’s a handy feature. The Q8’s seats are fantastic and nearly make up for the lackluster driving capabilities. They’re firm yet forgiving, with endless adjustments. The seats, with their built-in massagers, made the boring Ohio turnpike a bearable experience. The Q8’s interior space is not as ample as I expected, and I think it has to do with the naming scheme. The Q8 joins the small Q5 and seven-seater Q7 in Audi’s lineup. The name suggests the Q8 is larger than the Q7 in the same way that the Audi sedan A8 is larger than the A7.
But it’s not. The Q8 is a five-passenger vehicle with less cargo room available than the Q7. I was able to get three suitcases and a couple of backpacks in the back. The lack of storage space is evident throughout the cabin. The center console is only two smartphone’s deep. There isn’t a spot for sunglasses. Two adults could sit in the backseat, but I would fight for the front. Again, the Q8 is comfortable, and a nice size, but the name suggests a larger vehicle. Like it or not, the Q8 is the shape of the future. Its sheet metal conveys a sense of on or off-road sportiness. The Q8 is designed around the driver, too, and the Q8 could be a fantastic package. It looks beautiful inside and out; I love the shape and form of the Q8. It’s stunning and comfortable to sit in. I don’t like how the Q8 drives.
