VW’s most powerful SUV will land in Australia later this year.
Volkswagen has confirmed the new Touareg V8 will arrive in Australia later this year in limited numbers, offering Australians the most powerful SUV to wear the VW badge.
The new VW Touareg V8 eclipses the power output of even the first-generation Touareg R50 V10 TDI, which produced 257kW and a tremendous 850Nm. The new third-generation V8 TDI, powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo diesel bent eight mated to an eight-speed auto, delivers 310kW and 900Nm despite its 1000cc and two-cylinder deficit to the old cult classic V10.
Peak torque is delivered between 1250 to 3250rpm, and power from 3500 to 5000rpm. Fuel economy is registered by Volkswagen at 7.4L/100km on the WLTP combined fuel cycle. The standing start sprint to 100km/h is completed in just 4.9sec – 0.1sec slower than the VW Golf R hot hatch.
Pricing is yet to be announced but is expected to sit between $150-160,000 before on-roads. While exceeding the V6-powered Touareg price by at least $50k, Volkswagen Australia managing director Michael Bartsch explains that the new model will be fully loaded with every bit of VW’s best tech and packaging, competing easily with rivals such as the Audi SQ7, Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 and BMW X5 M50d.
“Even fully loaded, the Touareg V8 will undercut the starting price of its rivals to be the best value proposition in the premium large SUV segment,” said Bartsch.
“Luxury SUV performance of the Touareg V8’s calibre won’t be found elsewhere for less than $160,000. Nothing will approach the value of the Touareg’s standard equipment for very much under $180,000 at the most competitive.
“Volkswagen Group Australia was the first European national sales company to establish five-year unlimited kilometre factory warranty for all its brands, which is still not universal among our rivals. This warranty remains permanently available in all new Volkswagens along with optional Care Plans that reduce the cost of ownership further below Touareg V8’s obvious rivals.
“The genuine car lover will discern that the true value of this most special Touareg is to be found in a cachet that time will only enhance.”