Volkswagen Touareg

The Volkswagen Touareg (pronounced "twah-regg") is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by German automaker Volkswagen since 2002. It was the third sport utility vehicle from the automaker, after the much older Volkswagen 181 "Kurierwagen", and the Iltis (later produced by Bombardier). One even holds the world record for the heaviest load towed by a passenger car, pulling a Boeing 747 as part of an advertising campaign. The Touareg (internally designated Typ 7L) was a joint venture project developed by Volkswagen Group, who also include Audi, and Porsche, who were also looking to add a luxury-type SUV to its lineup, as a cost-sharing initiative. The goal was to create an off-road vehicle that could handle like a sports car. The team, with over 300 people, was led by Klaus-Gerhard Wolpert, and based in Porsche main base Weissach im Tal, Germany. The result of the joint project is that the Porsche Cayenne shares the Touareg's Volkswagen Group PL71 platform, although there are styling, equipment, and technical differences between the two vehicles. The Volkswagen Touareg is built in Bratislava, Slovakia. The manufacturing plant shares production with Touareg-cousins, the Porsche Cayenne, and the Audi Q7. Due to the demand, and the exchange rates of euros against the US dollar, as well as different pricing and environmental policies in the USA, the V6 and V8 engine variants make up most of Volkswagen's American Touareg offering. However, a limited number of the V10 Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engines were available in the 2004 model year (before being pulled for environmental reasons). They were brought back to the United States for the 2006 as a "Tier I emissions concept (43 state emissions)".

The Touareg comes standard with four-wheel drive system. An automatic progressively locking centre differential (with manual override), and a "low range" setting that can be activated with in-cabin controls. Options to make the vehicles more capable off-road include an available air suspension system which can raise the car's ride height on command, and an interior switch allowing the rear differential to be manually locked. Its load level ground clearance is at 6.3 in (160 mm) , Off Road Level is at 9.6 in (244 mm) , and Xtra clearance of 11.8 in (300 mm). The 5.0 litre single overhead camshaft (SOHC), 20-valve V10 Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine pushes the Touareg from standstill to 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph) in 6.7 seconds, and on to 260 kilometres per hour (160 mph) maximum. The 6.0 liter double overhead camshaft (DOHC), 48-valve W12 engined version was initially intended to be a limited-edition model, with just 500 units planned to be produced; around 330 were slated for sale in Saudi Arabia, with the remainder sold in Europe. No sales in the United States were made. Eventually, the W12 model became an ordinary model without any production restrictions. Currently it is being sold in Europe. It is estimated to reach 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph) in 5.9 seconds. The Touareg was Car and Driver magazine's Best Luxury SUV for 2003, Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year for 2004, "Four Wheeler" magazine's Four Wheeler of the Year for 2005, and Overlander's 2003 4WDOTY.The Touareg's first facelift was unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, and debuted in North America as a 2008 model. It now features the shield grille from others in the Volkswagen Passenger Cars range.

It is a prototype hybrid vehicle with 2,995 cubic centimetres (182.8 cu in) V6 petrol engine with a 'Twin Vortices Series' (TVS) supercharger rated 333 metric horsepower (245 kW; 328 bhp) at 5500 rpm and 440 newton metres (320 ft·lbf) at 3000 rpm, an electric motor rated 52 metric horsepower (38 kW; 51 bhp) and 300 newton metres (220 ft·lbf), 8-speed automatic transmission. It has combined ratings of 374 metric horsepower (275 kW; 369 bhp) and 550 newton metres (410 ft·lbf). The electric-motor is powered by 240-cell, 288V, 6Ah nickel metal-hydride battery array. The 4motion four-wheel drive system was replaced by a lighter Torsen centre differential from Audi Q7 to save weight. The electric motor has the top speed of 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph). Start-stop system supports regenerative braking, coasting. Power steering, air conditioning were changed to be powered by battery. Planned production version includes special E-switch that the driver can activate for pure electric driving, 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph) coasting speed. US models include 3.6 V6, 4.2 V8, BlueMotion 3.0 V6 TDI. Canada models include 3.6 V6, BlueMotion 3.0 V6 TDI. BlueMotion 3.0 V6 TDI was sold as V6 TDI Clean Diesel in US and Canada. Second generation(Typ 7P5) was revealed on February 10, 2010 in MunichThe new Touareg features a world first in automotive headlight technology: the "glare-free high beam". ("Dynamic Light Assist" at Volkswagen). Unlike an adaptive highbeam system, the newest system continually and gradually adjusts not only the range of the high-beam, but also its pattern. The beam pattern changes its direction continually so that vehicles in front are not being illuminated, while the area surrounding them is being constantly illuminated at high beam intensity.