Love For Cars
The Touareg: Volkswagen鈥檚 new Soft- roader A luxury car that I would put right up there with Range Rover, as a proper off-roader. On test was the V6 Sport, effectively the base model with a splash of chrome and some big alloys鈥?well if this is base specification it is extremely well appointed. This particular car was fitted with the optional navigation system and leather interior, but even that aside it wants for nothing. The 3.2-litre, V6 is technically related to the 3.2-litre engine found in the Golf R32, the Touareg鈥檚 six-cylinder unit has been modified in several key areas to aid its off-road abilities and performance. Modifications include a revised oil pump with an altered intake, a sump redesigned to cope with steep inclines, and a revised belt drive. The four-valve-per-cylinder engine, has two overhead camshafts and features continuous inlet and exhaust camshaft timing control to ensure high torque levels throughout the engine speed range. Maximum torque is 225 lbs ft (305 Nm) at 3,200 rpm and the rated power output of 220 PS is produced between 5,400 and 6,400 rpm.
The transmission is the 4XMOTION system which delivers its power to the front and rear axles via a transfer box and a central differential, featuring a continuously adjustable and automatically operated multi-disc clutch, which performs the differential lock function. Under normal driving conditions - a dry road with even grip and constant engine power - the four-wheel-drive system provides a 50:50 distribution of power to the front and rear axles. In conditions where a wheel begins to lose traction, for example, as a result of aquaplaning, the centre differential鈥檚 multi-disc lock increases the flow of power - up to 100 per cent - to whichever axle has more grip. The differential lock is automatically regulated by engine torque and wheel slippage, with the driver having manual override via a console mounted switch. Manually lockable front and rear axle differentials are optional items. My first impression of the vehicle is its size.
It is wider than most, including the X5 and M Class and the lower roof line emphasises this. This makes it incredibly stable off-road but on the down side means it does not sit in the ruts but just runs the edges. On road the standard steel suspension gives a taught ride. The six speed gearbox, designed for the V10 diesel to handle the huge amount of torque, is used across the range. With three driving options it offers something for all driving styles. Leaving the tarmac way behind you and venturing into the unknown the Touareg continues to shine. With a two speed transfer case the Touareg walks away from the X5 or the Freelander and steps firmly on the toes of the Range Rover. The 4XMOTION system allows optimum levels of traction. Selecting 鈥楲ow鈥?results in activation of the automatic central differential lock, which continuously checks for loss of traction and adjusts front/rear power distribution accordingly.
There is also the facility to manually lock the centre diff and the optional lockable axle differentials which were not on the test car. Once in Low and driving in 鈥榤anual鈥?mode the V6 had a few surprises in store鈥?Most auto鈥檚 won鈥檛 move without throttle at this point, the Touareg crept around at idle, exactly what you need. The shape of the front makes it difficult to see the (hypothetical) corners but it is still easy to place with such engine control as is usually reserved for diesel and manual transmission. Volkswagen designed the vehicle with pedestrian safety in mind and the resultant 鈥榥ose鈥?does restrict its off-road ability, though by no more than many of its rivals. Underneath most components are tucked up into the floor pan giving a flat underside. The most vulnerable items being the rear exhaust box, which forms the limit of the departure angle, and the front spoiler which, whilst flexible and able to take a knock, is easy to catch. The steel sprung model has respectable but not stunning wheel articulation but the electronic differential control system ensures that drive is distributed to the wheels with traction ensuring you can keep moving with only two wheels on the ground. With all electronics and even the front headlights sealed from water the Touareg will wade to 500mm, I suspect that much deeper than this and the watertight seals will cause floatation long before the water damages anything. In conclusion, Volkswagen may be one of the last major manufacturers to enter the 4x4 market, but they haven鈥檛 done the job half-heartedly. The Touareg is firstly a luxury car and aimed at this market, but it is also a very capable off-road vehicle. It makes no pretences, it just does the job to a level far beyond that which most of us will require.
