The new Volkswagen Touareg has arrived in South Africa, with the local range of the third-generation model comprising two derivatives at launch.
In Luxury spec, the new model starts at R999 800, while opting for the Executive trim level sees the price rise to R1 088 200. Both come with a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan (in addition to the three-year/120 000 km warranty) as standard.
Both variants of the Wolfsburg-based automaker’s flagship SUV are powered by the brand’s familiar 3,0-litre TDI V6, which has been tuned to deliver 190 kW and 600 N.m (up from its forebear’s 180 kW and 550 N.m) to all four corners.
The new Touareg runs on the MLB Evo platform already underpinning the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. And that, according to VW, allows this new model to weigh in a considerable 106 kg lighter than its predecessor.
It measures 4 878 mm long, which makes it some 77 mm longer than the second-generation model. Furthermore, the new Touareg comes in at 44 mm wider than before while its roof is 7 mm closer to the ground at 1 702 mm. With the rear seats in place, VW claims luggage capacity of 810 litres, which is 113 litres more than before.
Various options are offered locally, including air suspension, the fully digital “Innovision Cockpit” (comprising a 12-inch instrument cluster and a 15-inch centrally mounted display), an uprated sound system, four-wheel steering, various safety features (from a head-up display to night vision) and an R-Line package (although the latter is standard on the Executive model, along with Matrix LED headlamps).
Pricing:
Volkswagen Touareg 3,0 V6 TDI Luxury: R999 800
Volkswagen Touareg 3,0 V6 TDI Executive: R1 088 200
