Preview Drive: VW Touareg R plug-in hybrid performance SUV

What is it:

This is the long-awaited update to the VW Touareg R performance SUV, now with plug-in hybrid power which delivers even faster acceleration – and up to 51km of petrol-free driving range before the turbo V6 petrol engine takes over.

The 0 to 100km/h time of 5.1 seconds makes it faster than a Holden Commodore V8 – and most other SUVs on sale in Australia.

This powertrain was previously fitted to the Porsche Cayenne.

This is Volkswagen Australia’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Price:

It’s not often a new model turns up with more power, more technology, more equipment and a lower price, but that’s the case with the VW Touareg R.

Volkswagen has reset the price to make the Touareg R a more compelling proposition in the ultra-competitive luxury SUV market – and it appears to have hit the mark.

The previous VW Touareg R had an RRP of $142,990 but the new model starts from $129,990 plus on-road costs – as well as being fitted with $15,000 worth of extra equipment.

Engine:

A turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine (250kW/450Nm) is combined with an electric motor (100kW/400Nm) for a combined output of 340kW/700Nm.

The numbers from the two power sources deliver peak power and torque at different parts of the rev range, which is why the total output is not simply an addition of each.

Transmission:

An eight-speed automatic is standard, supported by electric motor propulsion as required.

With a fully charged battery pack (17.9kWh lithium-ion) you can drive on electric power alone, providing you don’t floor the throttle (at which point the petrol engine comes alive and you get a decent shove in the back). 

0 to 100km/h:

As this was a media preview drive we didn’t get to test the 0 to 100km/h performance using our VBox equipment, however VW claims the Touareg R completes the task in 5.1 seconds.

Volkswagen vehicles we’ve tested over the years generally match their performance claims, but we will revisit these numbers when we test the car on home turf.

Good points:

With a mix of petrol and electric power you have the best of both worlds.

You can commute on electric power during the week and then use the Touareg R as a getaway car on weekends.

Total combined driving range is in excess of 800km in ideal conditions (50km on battery power and at least 750km on petrol power). 

Of course, driving range is reduced when you floor the throttle, which you may be tempted to do.

This thing is quick. It accelerates with a level of performance that’s quite unexpected for a family SUV.

Thankfully it has incredible grip from the high-performance Bridgestone Turanza low-profile (285/35/22) 22-inch tyres. 

The brakes are the size of large pizza trays: 400mm discs clamped by six-piston calipers up front, and 350mm discs with single-piston calipers at the rear.

Despite the brutal acceleration, sports suspension and low-profile tyres, the Touareg R is surprisingly comfortable over bumps and thumps – and in tight bends.

Indeed it’s even more supple than than the base model which is on chubbier tyres.

That’s because the Touareg R is equipped with air suspension with high performance adaptive damping control.

Other highlights include massive widescreen displays for the infotainment system and instrument cluster, comfortable yet snug sports seats, and a long list of standard equipment including a panorama sunroof and the world’s most advanced Matrix headlights (read more about them here).

Bad points:

There’s no spare tyre, which is normal for performance cars with big brakes and big wheels and tyres.

However the tyre inflator kit is still less than ideal, so you’re likely calling a tow truck if you get a flat.

You won’t get near the claimed fuel economy average 3.3L/100km (based on laboratory rather than real-world tests) unless you plug in regularly.

When the electric power was depleted, our fuel economy ranged from 7.5 to 9.5L/100km in country road driving conditions.

When driven enthusiastically, fuel consumption would of course increase.  

What the haters say:

That’s a power of money for a Volkswagen.

What the haters don’t understand:

Think of this as a cut-price Porsche. 

Should you buy one?

If you want a performance SUV but also want to keep up appearances with the neighbours by plugging in the car from time to time, this could be the car for you. 

Also consider:

BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7.