2008 Volkswagen Touareg R50 Review
6 Jun, 2008
20 Comments 
Putting this amount of power to the ground then was surely no easy task, but a proven six-speed auto coupled to VW’s accomplished 4MOTION all-wheel drive system provides seamless delivery with very little in the way of the fuss and wheelspin some other manufacturers seem unable to harness in vehicle’s with half this amount of power.
Dual range all paw grip and a lockable, limited-slip, centre differential accompany a respectable 300mm ground clearance and under engine bash plate to offer modest off-road jaunts. Although the system itself presents no issues at all, the low profile tyres and deep slung side skirts do inhibit R50’s true off-road potential.
Now I know what you’re thinking, sure this thing’s great, but have you seen the price of fuel? Sure, but consider this. The average combined consumption of the R50 is 12.6 litres per 100km, and it is very easily attainable if you manage to curb your enthusiasm. This makes the R50 no more costly to fuel than a Falcon or Commodore!
Being such a size, and with all that torque on hand, I could well see the R50 being used as both a work horse and show pony. It’s easy to drive, has a substantial towing capacity of 3500kg (braked) and as if that’s not enough there’s standard chrome roof racks and a cargo area capable of stowing some 1525 litres of gear (with seats down – 500 litres to window height with seats up).
Complimenting the daunting stance of Touareg’s already despotic silhouette are some unique body additions including rear and side spoilers, 21 x 10 inch Omanyt rims and a little extra chrome work to add a conservative amount of bling to the stately top-of-the-range wagon.
The interior too is customised for the R50 and although the basic layout is shared with its poorer siblings, the attention to detail, especially that of the bespoke sports alcantara leather seats make you feel, perhaps deservedly for the price, so very regal indeed.
Memorised seating, steering column and mirror positions, sumptuous yet supportive cow hide pews, hectares of space and every conceivable modern day convenience – all with Volkswagen’s reputable, no nonsense engineering – are all offered standard for the $130K price tag.
The Dynaudio stereo system is first rate and coupled with a hard drive 3D satellite navigation system and full colour guided reversing camera makes piloting the R50 an experience you’ll look forward to time and again.
Now I guess a lot of people will struggle with quantifying the merits of a vehicle in this price bracket but when you consider the performance, economy, space, size and level of kit on offer for the money, any one considering a high-end SUV would in my opinion have a hard time doing better any place else.
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Specifications:
- Engine: 4921cc V10 Twin Turbo
- Power: 258kW @ 3,500rpm
- Torque: 850Nm @ 2,000rpm
- Transmission: Six Speed Auto with DSP & 4XMOTION
- Brakes: Disc with ABS, EBA, EBD & EDL
- Top Speed: 235km/h
- 0-100km/h: 6.8 seconds
- 0-400m: 14.8 sceonds
- Fuel Consumption: 12.6 litres / 100km (Combined)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 100 litres
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- ANCAP Rating: Five Star
- Safety: ESP with TCS; Front, Side & Curtain Airbags
- Spare Wheel: Tyre Sealant & 12V Compressor
- Tow Capacity: 3,500kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.6 metres
- Warranty: 3 year / 100,000km
- Weight: 2,532kg (Tare)
- Wheels: Omanyt 21×10 inch alloy
Location: Home / Volkswagen, Behind the Wheel, Diesel, Car News / ...
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(5 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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June 6th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Good review, but could we please have some higher resolution photos of the interior, thanks.
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June 6th, 2008 at 3:12 am
I quite like this car but theres something a bit cumbersome about large SUVs with extravagent body kits. The X5 M Sport looks terribly cheap, an RRS with an after market body kit looks terrible and the Audi Q7 S Line looks terrible aswell. Im not sure what to think really but this one looks the best so far - not so much like the body kits out of place.
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June 6th, 2008 at 6:10 am
230kw for a v10 isnt really that good. V6s are pumping that out these days.But all that gloruoius tourque
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June 6th, 2008 at 7:15 am
O
What are you on, it is 258kw from a diesel not petrol that is unreal.
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June 6th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I reckon they would have sold more of these had they had a third row seat option.
Compared to Q7/X5/ML/GL you don’t see many Toe rags on the road.
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June 6th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Haven’t checked last night’s 50 mil yet. Maybe I can get the BMW and one of these as well :)
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June 6th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
“The average combined consumption of the R50 is 12.6 litres per 100km, and it is very easily attainable if you manage to curb your enthusiasm. This makes the R50 no more costly to fuel than a Falcon or Commodore!”
The official figure of the fg falcon with the 6 speed is 10.1… on unleaded… which is 20c litre cheaper than diesel..
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June 6th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
The R50 is without a doubt the best value for money luxury performance SUV available. It is the only that will offer a 5 year factory warranty if required.Equilise the options on the Audi or BMW will have you over $150k. the 200 series Toyota Sahara will set you back $120k, and really how many are used off road ? The R50 eats the Toyota in performance, value, specifications, options and has a 6th gear that actually works. I want one !
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June 6th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Commos and Falcon can’t come any where close to meeting their fuel test figures. Our VEs at work regularly run in the 16s, sometimes more. I bet a diesel would run closer to the tested figure, and besides this looks way better than a VE or FG.
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June 6th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Looks amazing, inside and out.
I’d love some better interior photos.
Im not a fan of most of the big SUV’s, but that is one sensational looking SUV.
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June 6th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Casey, may I ask why the hell are you comparing Commodore’s to a VW Touareg R50!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big difference in class (sedan, to 4×4 etc.)
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June 6th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
to those who say the kw’s are low for a v10
ITS A DIESEL
it make 850NM of torque @ 2000 rpm
who needs kw!!
strange how 2.6 tonne with such low kw can pull 0-100 in 6 and a bit…. kw= sfa in this rig
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June 6th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Duck, did you even read the article? Then perhaps you’d understand what Timmy & I are discussing.
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June 7th, 2008 at 12:49 am
I like it. It looks clean. For the price though I’d rather take a Cayenne turbo. Sure the fuel will be more but its a Porsche..worth every penny…
Ryan
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June 7th, 2008 at 1:34 am
I reckon this is one of the most accomplished samrtest SUV’s on the market today even with smaller engines.
I’d have one no-problem.
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June 7th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I’d much prefer this to a Cayenne
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June 7th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
even if you were unfortunate enough to get 12.1l/100km out of a modern FG falcon it would be 12.1 litres of PETROL, not $1.85 per litre diesel…so such a statement as you made on the last page there to me seems ludicrous.
beaut car though, if i were driving with my collared-shirt and v-neck sweater to norwood parade to get a cafe latte i wouldnt want to drive anything else…
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June 7th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I went to a dealer to see volkswagen Touareg. It’s a big vehicle, don’t know why, it looks a lot bigger than a TDI3.6 model. it made me wonder why such a big one doesn’t offer 7 seat option.
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July 3rd, 2008 at 11:16 pm
the porsche pit..
“For the price though I’d rather take a Cayenne turbo.”
Um.. there is a few $$ between this and a Cayenne Turbo actually few $$ is not really the term…
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September 21st, 2008 at 1:11 pm
The porsche pit, A turbo cost $230 000 that is nearly $100 000 more
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