streak
12-22-2008, 07:16 AM
The Touareg is Volkswas gents giant SUV,much on the lines of the Audi Q7, or the Mercedes GL¬class or the Porsche Cayenne (which inci¬dentally uses the Touareg for its base). In ordinary guise, it is a true blue luxury SUV with go anywhere capability and the size and bulk and consequently space
to impress all and sundry.
However, in keeping with the tradition of R badging as seen on the Golf and the Passat and like all the Rs, it gets all. time 4XMotion all wheel drive, and R-line trim.
On the exteriors it translates into 21-inch wheels shod with huge 295/35 tyres, blue brake calipers and accentuated wheel arches. This gives the Touareg sporty and sleek looks but also limits its appeal for off-roading even though there is sufficient ground clearance.
95
Powering the R50 is the V1O diesel engine which uses two valves per cylinder, a variable geometry turbocharger and PD (unit injector) injection technology, which gives the R50 over 350bhp of max power and an even more impressive max torque.
The interiors are also done up in the R-line trim: dark seats with R50 badging on the headrests, with dashes of aluminium on most trim including dash and pedals detailed in stainless steel.
Once one gets over the size of the vehicle, the next thing that takes your breath away is the grunt of the engine which propels the over two and a half ton behemoth not only effort¬lessly but much in sportscarvein. A lOOkmph comes up in under 7-seconds and once out of Paris after the motorshow, I gave the R50 free rein in spurts and as we moved into the mountainous region going north along the . coast, I was surprised to find that the giant handled like a normal sedan aided no doubt by active damping. The number of switches and buttons around the cockpit is a bit daunting, but it points to the immense amount of equipment the R50 comes loaded with.
to impress all and sundry.
However, in keeping with the tradition of R badging as seen on the Golf and the Passat and like all the Rs, it gets all. time 4XMotion all wheel drive, and R-line trim.
On the exteriors it translates into 21-inch wheels shod with huge 295/35 tyres, blue brake calipers and accentuated wheel arches. This gives the Touareg sporty and sleek looks but also limits its appeal for off-roading even though there is sufficient ground clearance.
95
Powering the R50 is the V1O diesel engine which uses two valves per cylinder, a variable geometry turbocharger and PD (unit injector) injection technology, which gives the R50 over 350bhp of max power and an even more impressive max torque.
The interiors are also done up in the R-line trim: dark seats with R50 badging on the headrests, with dashes of aluminium on most trim including dash and pedals detailed in stainless steel.
Once one gets over the size of the vehicle, the next thing that takes your breath away is the grunt of the engine which propels the over two and a half ton behemoth not only effort¬lessly but much in sportscarvein. A lOOkmph comes up in under 7-seconds and once out of Paris after the motorshow, I gave the R50 free rein in spurts and as we moved into the mountainous region going north along the . coast, I was surprised to find that the giant handled like a normal sedan aided no doubt by active damping. The number of switches and buttons around the cockpit is a bit daunting, but it points to the immense amount of equipment the R50 comes loaded with.