Volkswagen showcased the new second generation Touareg at an event in Munich. The basic shape and proportions of the exterior haven’t changed much, but the body sides are now more sculpted than before, making it a bit more planted and – dare we say – sporty.
At the front the Touareg has picked up the new horizontal VW family face that debuted on the latest Golf and Polo, finally discarding the more vertical and heavily chromed fascia of the original.
The new Touareg brings with it Volkswagen’s first ever mass produced hybrid drivetrain. The hybrid combines the VW Group’s supercharged and direct injected 3.0-liter V6 with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Touareg hybrid gets a combined rating of 28.6 mpg (U.S.) on the EU cycle, a number that will probably be closer to 24-25 when it arrives Stateside. The diesel powered TDI does even better now with a rating of 31.8 mpg (U.S.).
The Touareg is also available with a normally aspirated 3.6-liter gasoline V6 and for the first time the awesome 335 horsepower 4.2-litre TDI V8. Even the diesel V8 is rated at 25.8 mpg (U.S.). Unfortunately Americans won’t be able to get that powerplant.
Source: Autoblog
