Friday, April 1, 2011

VW Touareg has Improved Fuel Efficiency




The Volkswagen Touareg has been redesigned for 2011, and the result is better fuel efficiency and improved handling.
This luxury SUV has an eight-speed automatic transmission and, according to VW, is 450 pounds lighter than the first-generation model.

The Touareg offers  a 225-horsepower turbo-diesel V-6 and a 280-horsepower V-6, with each linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission.  All-wheel drive is standard.
Fuel economy now ranges from 16-19 mpg in the city and 23-28 mpg on the highway.  Give credit to VW for recognizing that this is an important factor in buyers' decisions these days, even those who are looking at SUV.
Additionally, VW now offers a Touareg Hybrid with 375 horsepower.

VW says one of the most noticeable changes to the exterior of the Touareg is the clear division between the grille and front air dam.  The Touareg now also has LED headlights and taillights, just like those found in its Audi luxury brand. 
Chrome accents highlight the length of the doors.  
On the interior, there is now more room in the backseat, about five inches more. It also reclines easier now.
Unfortunately, that ease of operation is not found throughout the Touareg, as you'll still see a few things where it looks like an engineer said "yes, someone could do this with the touch of one button, but instead, let's make them go through three steps."

The standard 6.5-inch touchscreen DVD navigation system shows 3-D images with major landmarks, and there's a seven-inch multifunction display that synchs with a 60 GB hard drive. 
 The interior is, as usual with VW, finely crafted, with its leather accents.  VW says the start-stop button, electronic tailgate, ambiance lighting, panorama sunroof, and bi-xenon headlights are available features.  VW also says the park distance control and Area View system, which employs four cameras to provide a 360-degree view around the vehicle, is also available and keeps the Touareg safe from scrapes and dents.  A rearview camera, 12-way power seats, and 18-inch wheels are standard.  Optional are 19- and 20-inch wheels, Vienna Leather, wood trim, and a 12-speaker, 620-watt Dynaudio system.

The Touareg's safety mix includes rollover sensors that trigger side curtain airbags when needed and antilock brakes as well as an electronic stability system with traction control.  The Intelligent Crash Response System unlocks all doors, disconnects the battery terminal, shuts off the fuel supply and turns on the warning hazards and interior lights when the airbags have been deployed.

The Touareg ranges in price from around $45,000 to about $58,000.

With its improved efficiency and good looks, the Touareg presents a fine choice among luxury SUVs. 

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