2011 Volkswagen Touareg Ditches V8 & VR6: Strives For Efficiency

Volkswagen is preparing a new Touareg SUV for European launch next spring, with U.S. sales months later as a 2011 model. Targets for the new model are better economy -- both through significantly more efficient powertrains and lighter overall weight -- plus the incorporation of a third row of child seats.

The design will reflect VW's new Walter da Silva-mandated approach; emphasis on horizontal lines and a nose characterized by a wide grill between oblong lamps. It will retain SUV-like cues too. The hood and body sides have fewer, crisper feature lines and a greater simplicity of surfacing, which should suit a sport-utility well.

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chewy - 7/13/2009 3:57:11 PM

+3 Boost

3.0T and 3.0T hybrids do make for good engine combos so the loss of the V8 isn't the end. Plus a FI V8 could come later.

chewy - 7/14/2009 12:46:41 AM

+3 Boost

Well maybe we don't need V8 powered SUVs either, everything should come with a 1 cylinder.

tango - 7/13/2009 9:40:26 PM

+4 Boost

I for one will be sad to see the VR6 go. it was a legend when new and did well for the company. At 2.8L in its original form it put out 174hp with a 2-valve head and chain-driven cams. That was back in the early 90s when the best the likes of Toyota could do with all of 3.0L was 150. Nissan was slightly ahead with 155. There was a time when VW lead the engine power battles. There was also a time when they lead with reliability too. We'll see...

Agent00R - 7/13/2009 11:45:55 PM

+3 Boost

VW needs those old times badly.

But, they are coming back in terms of build quality. Next is reliability.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 7/14/2009 11:26:42 AM

+1 Boost

Did you ever drive the VW Corrado VR6 or G60 ?

At the time they were Eye Openers in terms of Acceleration and Cruise Speeds.

In 1994 it took a Semi-Road Block on the M1 to stop my Cousin and I. We were told that a Highway Police Vehicle spotted us speeding and tried to give chase, after a few mins of fruitless attempts to close the gap he radioed ahead for a road block. The weird thing was we never saw a police car in our rear view and the officers believed us, Apparently we were not the only Corrado Drivers Speeding on the UK Motorways.

1994 VW Corrado VR6: 2.9L V6 NA. 187bhp. 245nm.
0-60mph: 6.4 {Really 6.1}
0-62mph: 6.9 {Really 6.5}

Top Speed 145mph {But we were cruising at 140mph with no rattle or shake}

THat was one Quality vehicle straight out of the Factory. No need for mods on that car.