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| VOLKSWAGEN
TOUAREG
Courtesy of VW Vortex Story by Jamie Vondruska |
Volkswagen has publically
released the first four official photos of its Touareg sport utility
vehicle due to be introduced this fall at the Paris Auto Show. Volkswagen and Porsche jointly developed their SUV projects together to help defray development costs and pool resources. The Touareg utilizes the same basic platform and AWD system as the Porsche Cayenne, but has its own distinctive (and far better looking) sheetmetal. Although deceiving at first look, the Touareg is larger than photos would suggest: 76 inches wide and 67.7 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 112.6 inches. The overall length of the Touareg is 187 inches. Compared to the BMW X5 4.6is the Touareg sits 4 inches longer, 2 inches wider, with a wheelbase 1.5 inches longer and a mere half inch difference in height. The all-wheel-drive system is also all-new as both companies wanted a vehicle that is as capable off-road as it is on the road. The fully electronic AWD system utilizes electronically controlled differentials that can be programmed to respond to both pre-mapped preferences (say a 30/70 front to rear wheel drive bias) and to varying conditions of both slip and driver demands. For instance if full throttle is applied from a stop, the system will use actual throttle measurement to apply more torque to the rear wheels in anticipation of front slip (as opposed to a system that must detect slip first before diverting power or locking differentials). The system will still detect slip though and divert more power to the wheels that need it most. The system employs an inter-axle differential lock and also has a true low-range gear set for those demanding conditions that warrant it. Towing capacity is 7,716 lbs and Volkswagen claims more than 11 inches of ground clearance and the ability to ford through water up to 23 inches deep. The AWD system in the Porsche will reportedly be set with more rear power bias than in the Volkswagen application to give it more traditional Porsche handling and power characteristics. However, the Volkswagen application will reportedly be more suited to hard-core off-road usage due to different programming of the AWD system electronics and its more neutral handling characteristics. Both models will be highly capable off-roaders according to engineers from VW and Porsche as they benchmarked the Touareg and Cayenne against all major competitors available including Jeep, Mercedes, BMW, GMC and others.
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Below is the full press
release issued by Volkswagen AG: WOLFSBURG, April 26, 2002 --- VWAG PRESS RELEASE: Initial Facts Outstanding on-road and off-road characteristics set new standards Permanent four-wheel drive, full air suspension, the world's most powerful passenger car diesel engine The countdown is running to the third phase of Volkswagen's luxury segment campaign: the sporty Passat W8 and the innovative Phaeton will soon be joined by the Touareg, an exclusive off-road vehicle. Hallmarks: outstanding on-road and off-road characteristics, permanent, electronically controlled four-wheel drive, double wishbone suspension, depending on the engine fitted, full air suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers fitted as standard, high-torque engines with five, six, eight or ten cylinders, excellent comfort on long drives, and elegant and progressive interior and exterior design. The Volkswagen Touareg will be introduced to the market in autumn 2002. Its namesake is a people in the Sahara, also known as the knights of the desert. They are famed for their traditions, pride, intelligence and dignity, and ability to adapt to difficult conditions. This name symbolises the ability of the Volkswagen off-road saloon to adapt to very different driving conditions. With a length of 4.75 metres (187 inches), a width of 1.93 metres (76 inches), a height of 1.72 metres (67.7 inches), and a wheel base of 2.86 metres (112.6 inches), the Touareg is firmly placed in the off-roader luxury segment. The all-round specialist with a top speed of over 250 km/h (155 mph) is a unique vehicle. The new Volkswagen is a crossover vehicle, and will call to mind not only an off-road vehicle, but also a sporty luxury class estate car. Technically and visually, the Touareg combines the best of three worlds. Firstly: The Touareg is a full-blooded off-road vehicle. Power is transferred to the driven wheels via a transfer box, which has off-road gear ratio reduction fitted as standard, and three locking differentials. The multi-plate clutch, fitted as standard, is automatically controlled by the running gear electronics - depending on conditions, up to 100 percent of the traction force can be transferred to either of the two axles. A rotary control switch in the cockpit can be used to activate the differential lock manually. The four-wheel EDL, fitted as standard, determines exactly in which ratios the power is distributed to the wheels. An electronically controlled rear axle differential lock with multi-plate clutch, and as part of the off-road package, a front axle lock and variable anti-roll bars, are planned for heavy off-road driving. Short overhangs, ground clearance of up to 300 millimetres (11.8 inches), and a wading depth of 585 millimetres (23 inches) provide the technical prerequisites for exceptional off-road suitability. Gradability of 100 percent and the ability to roll to 45 degrees, make the vehicle suitable for extreme off-road conditions. Secondly: The Touareg is an agile and safe vehicle for all types of journeys. The double wishbones front and back with a noise-insulated sub-frame give the vehicle the noise level and comfort of a luxury saloon, coupled with the precision of a sporty passenger car. Pneumatic suspension and continuous damping control give the car an unprecedented level of suspension comfort - both on-road and off-road. A switch in the cockpit allows the driver to select a more sporty or a more comfortable suspension. |
The fully galvanised, unitized,
four-door body has extremely good stiffness, which not only comes into
its own in extreme off-road conditions, but which forms the basis of the
Touareg's high level of comfort and high quality. The interior design,
in the style of the Phaeton, uses a large range of high-quality
equipment to underline its positioning as a luxury vehicle. Elaborate
seats, a fully adjustable steering wheel, and a separate (optional) air
conditioning system for the rear seat passengers (4-zone Climatronic)
enable vehicle occupants to travel in comfort and luxury. Crashworthiness and safety equipment meet the toughest specifications. The vehicle does not have an aggressive off-road design, thus paying heed to weaker road users in the event of a collision. Non metal wings and a soft aluminium bonnet show that Volkswagen is has met its responsibilities in its off-road vehicle. The high standard of passive safety includes front, side and curtain airbags, active head restrains in the front, and three-point seat belts on all seats fitted as standard. ABS, TCS (traction control system), ESP (electronic stabilisation programme), EBC (engine braking control) and HBA (hydraulic brake assist system) are fitted as standard and give the safety level of the best passenger cars. The brake system with fixed-callipers and ventilated disc brakes provide good braking characteristics - even when the vehicle is full and its high towing capacity fully utilised.A further safety feature: if the car is fitted with pneumatic suspension, it is automatically lowered by 25 millimetres (.98 inches) when its speed reaches 125 km/h (77 mph). Thirdly: The Touareg is a multi-functional business and leisure vehicle. The luggage compartment has a large tailgate - the window can be opened separately . Its capacity is variable in the range 555 to 1,570 litres (19.5 cu.ft. to 55.4 cu.ft.) . Its towing capacity of max. 3.5 tonnes (7716 lbs.) makes the Touareg an ideal towing vehicle. High-torque engines, permanent four-wheel drive, with fully automatic drive train control (lock management) and off-road gear ratio reduction fitted as standard, allow the car to master extreme conditions. At the German market launch, the Touareg will be available with a 3.2-liter V6 petrol engine and a 5.0 litre V10 TDI engine.The V6 engine has a power output of 162 kW / 220 bhp and develops up to 305 Newtonmetres (225 lbs-ft) of torque. The world's most powerful passenger car diesel engine is the V10 TDI with unit injectors and bi-turbo charging. It has a power output of 230 kW / 313 bhp and develops an impressive 750 Newtonmetres (551 lbs-ft) of torque at 1800 rpm. Two other engines will be added to the line-up at a later date:a new five-cylinder TDI with 2.5 litres displacement and a 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine. Six-speed gearboxes are fitted as standard - the choice between automatic and manual is determined by the engine size. With the automatic gearboxes, the driver can use DSP (dynamic shift programme) the Tiptronic gear lever, or, if fitted, the steering wheel paddles, to influence gear shifting. In summary: The Touareg, with its torsional rigid body, running gear for all conditions and four-wheel drive, has all the necessary features for best performance both on-road and off-road. Depending on conditions, it is both a sporty luxury estate car and a very tough off-road vehicle. |
All rights reserved. Copyright 2001. Volkswagen, Oettinger, ABT Sportsline, Projektzwo, ACDSee, VWVortex, Performance VW Mag
are all registered trademarks. Permission obtained from VW Vortex for articles used.
