2008 VW 350Hp Touareg R50 Hits The Road In OZ

2008 VW 350Hp Touareg R50 Hits The Road In OZ
In a world premiere, Volkswagen will be presenting the Touareg R50 on October 11 at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Its power of 258 kW / 350 PS (at 3,500 rpm) positions the new Touareg version among the most powerful SUVs in the world. The Touareg R50 can be ordered in Germany at prices starting at 88,260 Euro; it will be introduced to the market this November.

The engine characteristic of the Touareg R50 is marked by a torque level nearly unattainable by the competition: The V10 TDI of the Touareg R50 develops its enormous power of 850 Newton-meter at a low 2,000 rpm. The turbo diesel was derived from the well-known ten cylinder with 230 kW / 313 PS. Adjustments to its turbo charging and modified engine management enabled a 28 kW / 37 PS increase in power and a considerable 100 Newton-meter increase in maximum torque. Under these new parameters, the SUV accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds (production car: 7.4 seconds); its top speed is 235 km/h. In relation to engine power and vehicle size, the fuel consumption of the production ten-cylinder diesel equipped with a particulate filter is a moderate 9.6 liters per 100 km (highway) and 12.6 liters per 100 km (overall). Despite big gains in power and torque, its DIN fuel consumption values have remained constant compared to the Touareg V10 TDI.

In keeping with the performance potential of the R50, Volkswagen Individual designed new exterior and interior features according to the R philosophy. From the outside, the new Touareg R50 is easy to recognize with its 21-inch Omanyt type alloy wheels and size 295 tires, blue painted brake calipers, discrete wheel well flares, side skirts and distinctive bumpers (Sport Design Package), as well as a modified radiator grille (in a matte finish chrome).

Offered exclusively on the Touareg R50 is the car color "Biscay blue". Blue hues of this type have been typical of the high-powered R models since the first Golf R32 was introduced in the year 2002. Offered as optional car colors on the Touareg R50 are "Campanella white", "Reflex silver", "Black Magic" and "Atacam gray".

The car’s extensive features also include an air suspension sport chassis: The so-called "Driving dynamics package with adaptive roll compensation" and chassis lowered by twenty millimeter supplements the "Sport" mode of the manually or automatically controlled air suspension by achieving a stiffer spring rate.

On the inside, the SUV’s features include a sport seating system in anthracite-colored nappa leather with R50 logo integrated in the headrests. The logo was also integrated in the stainless steel tread plates. Also in keeping with the sporty character of the Touareg is the light-colored "engine spin" decor of the interior – a metallic structure similar to that previously used on race cars – as well as metal worked caps for the accelerator and brake pedals. A R50 logo also decorates the gearshift lever of the six-speed automatic transmission (Tiptronic). Standard features the Touareg R50 also include a winter package (including seat heating for the rear seats), the Premium Memory Package (including electrically adjustable seats, steering column and seatbelt height), net partition behind the rear seats and a ski sack.



SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 10/12/2007 11:56:06 AM
+3 Boost
VAG sure knows how to make special engines: quad-turbo W16, twin-turbo V10 diesel, W12, VR6, ..etc

I would buy this thing over a Cayenne S, but not the Turbo.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 10/13/2007 1:46:14 PM
+1 Boost
The Cayenne S is surprisingly boring. Have you driven it? I have- both the '06 and the '08. Read my review of the '08; I drove the X5 4.8i on the same day, so you should read that one, too.


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 10/14/2007 5:58:33 AM
+1 Boost
I will, thanks!


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 10/14/2007 6:10:38 AM
+1 Boost
Hmmm, you are bit harsh on the Cayenne.. it is still the best handling SUV out there and probably the best sounding too. But it all depends on the options your car had. A good Cayenne needs PDCC, air suspension, Tequipment exhaust and some nice wheels/tires. I haven't had the chance to drive the new one but the old one was fantastic to drive. steering feel, brakes, turn-in, ..etc all very impressive for an SUV. Interior materials cheap? A Cayenne has a very noble and rich interior, nice wood, beautiful full-leather interior and fantastic seats. I agree with you that some plastic parts aren't as expensive as they should be and the fit and finish on the centre console could be better. but who cares? the facelift cayenne is can be optionally equipped with natural leather.... I felt it in a 911 and it was spectacular.

overall the cayenne is a very impressive car, especially the turbo. as a engineering achievement, the cayenne is a masterpiece. but as a porsche it's not high is my list


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 10/14/2007 1:20:19 PM
+1 Boost
"it is still the best handling SUV out there and probably the best sounding too."

It may be the best handler, but the X5 felt more connected to the road and the exhaust on the BMW just blew the Porsche away. Much too quiet.

"Interior materials cheap? A Cayenne has a very noble and rich interior, nice wood, beautiful full-leather interior and fantastic seats."

The interior was absolutely nothing special. Worse than a Mercedes ML--let alone the X5. The one I drove did not have the full leather, and that could've helped, but it was just extremely boring (gray with aluminum trim). The seats were worse than the X5's and the wood trim costs extra, as does the natural leather. There is no point to paying almost $5K to make your interior look as good as it should have in the first place on a $60K SUV.


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 10/12/2007 11:56:11 AM
+1 Boost
VAG sure knows how to make special engines: quad-turbo W16, twin-turbo V10 diesel, W12, VR6, ..etc

I would buy this thing over a Cayenne S, but not the Turbo.


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 10/12/2007 11:56:12 AM
+1 Boost
VAG sure knows how to make special engines: quad-turbo W16, twin-turbo V10 diesel, W12, VR6, ..etc

I would buy this thing over a Cayenne S, but not the Turbo.


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 10/12/2007 11:56:56 AM
+2 Boost
What the ****?


DaHarderDaHarder - 10/12/2007 12:32:43 PM
0 Boost
Yet another step in the wrong direction for VW...

The alleged 'People's Car' my @$$!


Agent009Agent009 - 10/12/2007 1:02:00 PM
+1 Boost
They haven't been a peoples cars since the 1950's.


bimmerbimmer - 10/12/2007 1:10:11 PM
+1 Boost
You're right... I guess they forgot what Volks Wagen means... The name doesn't go with car at all and for a few good years now.


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 10/12/2007 4:35:07 PM
+2 Boost
It's the same story with the Fiat 500, or the MINI.

Only the Mustang stayed cheap.


DaHarderDaHarder - 10/12/2007 2:03:01 PM
+2 Boost
I think the Golf/Rabbit has stayed rather true to the 'people's car' theme, as it provides a great transportation device that most can afford/maintain, all the while being loads of fun to drive.

It's all those sill 40k V8 Passats, 50k Touregs and 100k Phaetons that are the issue.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 10/13/2007 1:47:58 PM
+1 Boost
I agree... but I like the Touareg a lot. Especially this one, and the V10 TDI.

IMO the GTI best encompasses VW's essence: it looks good, drives very well, is great to own and well-built. It's pretty much the perfect commuter's car. Just don't add too many options.


r_driver04r_driver04 - 10/12/2007 2:39:27 PM
+1 Boost
I saw a new Toureg today it looked mean. I'm sure the price tag did too. Do I get free service work for the life of my loan sir??


r_driver04r_driver04 - 10/12/2007 2:40:07 PM
+1 Boost
And it's Touareg...not Toureg.


DaHarderDaHarder - 10/12/2007 2:48:39 PM
+1 Boost
Either way, it sure is a stupid name, as are far too many VW's names these days.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 10/13/2007 1:48:35 PM
+1 Boost
All 2 of them? Touareg and Tiguan?


r_driver04r_driver04 - 10/12/2007 3:01:26 PM
+1 Boost
I'd buy one if it held up like a Land Cruiser. ha ha


DaHarderDaHarder - 10/12/2007 5:38:47 PM
+1 Boost
I wouldn't drive another Land/Range Rover if someone gave it to me...

The worst vehicle I ever owned... Damned Ex-Wife made me buy it!


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 10/13/2007 1:49:22 PM
+1 Boost
This color is hot. Very similar to mine. I would take it over any Cayenne.


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