Volkswagen Touareg. Desert knight
Volkswagen Touareg is a mid-size J-class crossover from the German Volkswagen group, produced since 2002. In 2020, the third generation of the 2018 Touareg all-wheel drive crossover was available in the Israeli market.
The word ‘Touareg’ dates back to the Middle Ages, when the Touaregs were called ‘knights of the desert’. They were nomads who lived in Sahara. Touareg was not just the first Volkswagen SUV of the executive class; it embodied a fundamentally new concept of the German group, combining the qualities of an excellent SUV with the comfort of a sedan and the dynamics of a sports car.
First generation
The first generation of Volkswagen Touareg was produced from 2002 to 2010. It was restyled in 2007. The first Touareg, built on PL71 platform (Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne were designed on it) had a solid interior and rich equipment. The first luxury SUV in the history of the brand, the first Touareg was full of various additional electronics. It was in charge of everything – technology, comfort, and even such things as unlocking the gas tank hatch. At the same time, the off-road performance of the crossover were also at their best. The first generation of Touareg had a permanent all-wheel drive with a reduction gear and differential locks, an optional air suspension, which made it possible to change the ground clearance in the range of 160-300 mm. Restyled in 2007, the Touareg received a different design, slightly redesigned interior, and a wider range of options. Facelifted SUVs with gasoline engines were already equipped with automatic transmissions only.
Second generation
The second generation of Volkswagen Touareg was produced from 2010 to 2018. It was restyled in 2014. The second-generation Touareg was also all-wheel drive and was equipped with 8-speed automatic transmission, for a surcharge it was possible to purchase a special package of off-road options. It included increased ground clearance, a lower gear, and interaxle differential with the possibility of forced locking and a rear differential lock, a fuel trunk increased to 100 liters. Facelifting in 2014 brought the crossover updated design and engines to the European ‘Euro-6’ standard.
The Touareg was not just the first Volkswagen luxury SUV; it embodied a fundamentally new concept of the German concern, combining the qualities of an excellent SUV with the comfort of a sedan and the dynamics of a sports car.
Third generation
The third generation of Volkswagen Touareg, which appeared in March 2018, is still in production. It was built on MLB Evo platform, (also used for the new Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentyag). The third Touareg is based on the same platform. German designers have completely redesigned the exterior of the crossover, as a result of which the front end and stern look completely different than before. The grille has changed, it has become wider, divided into three parts and covered with chrome, and in the extended configuration, it is black. The off-road characteristics of the crossover have changed very much and the third Touareg lost the differential lock.
The interior of the third-generation Touareg has also been completely modernized. The center console is now turned towards the driver’s seat. In its improved configuration, the new Touareg gets around premium crossovers. Also, there is a night vision system in the car.
