First Drive Review
Until Audi came along with its incredible, 500-hp Q7 V-12 TDI, the Volkswagen Touareg V-10 TDI was the king of the segment. Discontinued in 2010, its final iteration—the R50—served up 350 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. (A less-powerful version was sold in the United States.) But that thing disappeared from our shores years ago, and the only current diesel in the Touareg’s U.S. lineup, the V-6 TDI, pales in comparison. As do the six-cylinder diesels in the big SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
Volkswagen has a solution that eclipses the former V-10, but it's not offered in the U.S. The VW Touareg V-8 TDI is powered by an Audi-developed 4.1-liter V-8 turbo-diesel that produces 340 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 590 lb-ft of twist from 1750 to 2750 rpm. It is mated to an eight-speed, torque-converter automatic. We sampled a Touareg with the V-8 TDI engine on its German home turf.
Compared with the V-6 TDI offered here, the V-8 TDI raises the bar from high competence to dominance. The diesel's inherent vibrations and sound are isolated to very distant rumbles and purrs, and the 4.1’s smoothness rivals that of gasoline engines. Performance is equally impressive, given the Touareg's sheer size and curb weight of more than 5000 pounds. The sprint from zero to 60 mph takes an estimated 5.8 seconds, a bit quicker than the 380-hp Touareg hybrid. Top speed is factory-rated at a nice, even 150 mph; we managed an indicated 155.
The V-8 TDI is almost eerily unfazed by this kind of speed. It remains planted and secure at higher velocities, and, despite its tall center of gravity, VW's big SUV exhibits little body roll when the roads go crooked. We encountered the expected mild understeer at the limit, but there was very little degradation to ride comfort despite the Touareg's laudable handling characteristics. The Touareg is simply one of the most comfortable SUVs we have driven.
The Touareg’s air suspension can be raised for up to 11.8 inches of ground clearance or lowered to allow easier loading and unloading. All-wheel drive is standard, and even though the off-road capabilities of the Touareg have been somewhat diminished since the first generation was launched more than a decade ago, this is still one of the more capable vehicles on the market.
We love the cabin of the Touareg, which here was outfitted with a satisfying mix of metal and wood trim. It’s bested aesthetically perhaps only by Audi—certainly not by the offerings of Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. When the current Touareg debuted for 2011, the cabin became a bit less Old World–luxury—a sense epitomized by the oversize gear selector that would have been at home in a yacht—but it gained a sporty and airy flair.
In the time since the Touareg was launched with a V-8 TDI, Porsche—previously a fierce opponent of diesel engines—has added the same engine to its European models, along with an extra dollop of 45 horsepower. Given a choice, we'd still prefer the Touareg for its superior cabin and also its overall adherence to brand image. Next to Mercedes-Benz, VW is the quintessential diesel brand. And this just may be VW's best diesel model.
