A Perfect Marriage of Looks and Performance

The VW Touareg was named after the North African nomadic tribe, the Tuareg, who over many centuries have lived in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. Our week’s testing of the V6 TDI didn’t allow a trip to the Sahara unfortunately, but we did have the opportunity to drive through Victoria’s Lerderderg State Park with its wide range of road conditions.
Touareg buyers have the choice of 5 models, simply differentiated by 5 different engines. First up, at $64,990 is the R5 TDI, a 2.5 litre 5 cylinder inline turbo diesel (128kW / 400Nm). Then at $74,990 you have the choice of The V6 FSI, a 3.6 litre naturally aspirated petrol V6 (206kW / 360Nm) or the V6 TDI (our test car), a 3.0 litre turbo V6 (176kW / 550Nm). Next up there’s the V10 TDI, a 5.0 litre bi-turbo V10 (230kW / 750Nm) topped only by the R50 V10 TDI using the same 5.0 litre V10 but tweaked a little (258kW / 850Nm).
The V6 TDI, by most standards, is very well equipped. Standard features include climate control air-conditioning (dual zone), low light sensing headlights, rain sensing wipers, heated washer nozzles and 12-way (electrically) adjustable and heated front seats. Our test car had the optional ($1,490) 4 zone air-conditioning system, and an optional ($1,490) memory package for the front seats which also memorises exterior mirror adjustment, seatbelt height and steering wheel adjustment.
The entire Touareg range has front and rear parking sensors with both audible and visual warnings to the driver. The window in the Touareg’s tailgate can be opened without lifting the whole tailgate. This is a nice touch which allows access to the luggage area without the rest of your belongings (or the dog) making a break for it! The luggage area is a respectable 555litres with the rear seat upright (1570 with it folded down). In common with others in its class your all round vision in the Touareg is aided by being that little bit above the traffic. One of the very few things we found to criticise in the Touareg however was a hefty blind spot on the driver’s side caused by the combination of the oversized external mirror and the rake of the ‘A’ pillar. This was particularly noticeable when making right hand turns.
Volkswagen has filled the Touareg with just about every safety feature known to man and then some. Euro NCAP awarded 5 stars to the 2004 Touareg for its front and side impact performance in their crash test program – “The Touareg's body proved to be immensely strong, providing good protection and achieving the five star Euro NCAP rating.” There’s a full complement of airbags – driver and front passenger have front and side protection plus there are side curtains for front and rear. The Touareg also sports a ‘Rollover Sensor System’ which monitors vehicle speed and body angle and deploys the airbags if the system senses an ‘imminent rollover’.
ABS brakes are the latest ‘ABSplus’ which provides superior stopping power on loose surfaces – something which was a problem in earlier incarnations of ABS. Of course, EBD and Brake Assist are also included across the range.
All models have a 6 speed automatic transmission and, of course, VW’s 4XMOTION full-time all wheel drive system. 4XMOTION normally shares torque evenly between front and rear wheels but will, in need, send it all to even just one wheel, should it be the only one with traction. There is of course a manually lockable centre diff and a genuine transfer gearbox to let you slip into low range if the going gets really tough.
Most drivers will never need to use low range or manually lock the centre diff but they still have the benefit of the Touareg’s seriously clever traction control system which can automatically lock the centre diff, brake a slipping wheel and reduce power if necessary all without so much as disturbing a single bubble in your bottle of Champagne, pre-chilling in the glove box!
Going bush generally involves a lengthy highway or freeway drive before the fun begins and our test was no exception. Heading up the Freeway West of Melbourne, to the Lerderderg State Park was a breeze - the Touareg simply feels and handles like a car, with plenty of power in reserve, and with all the nice European creature comforts. By definition it’s no sports car, but it corners surprisingly flat and precisely for a vehicle of its size.
We hit the southern end of the park at McKenzies Flat picnic area, 10 minutes out of Bacchus Marsh. It’s from here that bushwalkers head off through the rugged 300 metre sandstone gorge and four wheel drivers can explore the off road delights of the 14,250 hectare State Park and the adjoining Wombat State Forest. After a quick look around and a barbecue lunch we headed for Blue Gum Track, a small road that climbs steeply up the Blackwood Range and eventually on to a high ridge that cuts right across the north east corner of the park. Blue Gum like many other tracks through this park is a dry weather road only and is closed during the winter months.
We encountered deep ruts, switch back bends and a steep gradient - none of which fazed the Touareg. Unfortunately the surface was bone dry and dusty so we were not able to test its mud handling capabilities! On the day we drove through the park, a number of controlled burns forced us to negotiate thick smoke and a number of spot fires. The Touareg’s re-circ worked really well in the smoke filled, dusty air. Steep climbs and huge bumps were just a Sunday drive for this VW and we remained insulated and very comfortable all the way. We eventually came out on the edge of the Wombat State Forest. From here we were able to exit the park and head back towards Melbourne. Fortunately we didn’t have the opportunity to check out the Rollover Sensors, during our little foray off-road. Nor did the dry creeks afford us an opportunity to test the 500mm wading depth. Maybe next time.
Volkswagen suggests the V6TDI should average 9.9litres/100km. We did some pretty thirsty driving through the Lerderderg and then through town, but a couple of decent highway runs tempered our usage which averaged closer to 11l/100km.
Volkswagen offers a 3 year/100,000km warranty and includes for its duration, 24hr roadside assistance.
In summary, the Touareg is a brilliant multi-purpose vehicle. Trying to be all things to all people normally results in enormous compromises – not so with the Touareg, it does all that it’s meant to do with ease. Apart from our driver’s side blind spot our only other major complaint was that we had to hand it back!

Tested April 2008

Vehicle provided by Volkswagen Group Australia Pty Ltd