Volkswagen Touareg R50 World Premiere
October 12, 2007 by George Skentzos
Forget everything you know about performance SUV’s because VW has redefined the genre with the all-new Touareg R50 which has made its world wide debut at the Australian International Motor Show.
Unlike other performance SUV’s where high-output, inefficient petrol engines are the norm, the R50 is instead powered by a far more suitable V10 TDI engine.
The already staggering 750Nm produced by the ‘tame’ V10 of the standard Touareg has now jumped to an incredible 258kW and 850Nm in the R50.
This is enough to rocket the R50’s heft from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.8 seconds and maintain fuel consumption of a combined 12.6L/100km – from a V10 mind you – the standard Touareg towed a plane, so the R50 should actually rotate the Earth under it.
The engine wasn’t the only part to receive the R treatment, the exterior now boasts 21-inch Omanyt-type alloy wheels with 295 tyres, blue painted brake calipers, discrete wheel well flares and independent bumpers. Inside, the features include a sports seat system in anthracite coloured napa leather with the R50 logo integrated in the headrests.
The dark interior compliments the R trademark Biscay Blue exterior which was specially developed for the Touareg R50. Optional colours on the Touareg R50 are Campanella White, Reflex Silver, Black Magic and Atacama Grey.
The impressive new front end boasts both stunning looks and practicality. The brushed chrome adds a smooth highlight to the overall look, whilst the vents under each headlight feed the two intercoolers nestled behind the honeycomb mesh.
The suspension package includes an either manually or automatically controlled air-suspension sports chassis lowered by twenty millimeters which complement the stiffer spring rate. In the suspension’s comfort mode, driving comfort remains just as good as on versions without the sports chassis.
High-end R50 safety features adds ABSplus, which adapts brake pressure in off-road conditions for an improved stopping distance of up to 20 percent. Driving dynamics package with roll compensation counteracts body roll of the car when cornering by actuating the electronically controlled dampers. Finally an optional Rear Assist rear-view camera identifies potential hazards aids as well as assisting in parking.
With pricing to begin at $129,990 – just $8,000 more than the standard V10, VW have a real winner on their hands.
Print it: 
If the Ford MD was wondering how the hell Ford could match the VE wagon, the LR head honcho must have been crying into his sleeves when he eyeballed this little baby.
More than $30,000 cheaper than the lame RR and performance, style and quality the RR can’t hope to match.
VW – 1
RR – 0
Very nice! I would still prefer the Range Rover to tow with though!
FPV should observe here how to distinguish a performance SUV from its cooking models
because 21in rims will do wonders for its off road capability. I suspect FPV wanted to leave the terratory with some limited off-road capability. Plus I’m sure FPV could do a lot with the $60000 extra this costs. Get over your ford hate Smoking’32, I’ve noticed it with all your other posts.
Not sure about this Touareg, but the ’standard’ Touareg hauls ass. The interior in this R50 looks really well appointed though
VW is number 1. Cheap,well build and handsome
The R50 will give Audi and the Q7 one hell of a migraine! X5 and ML, equally so.
Bavarian, which part of the 850nm is bad for towing? :)
Its not the grunt its the size of it!
Your not wrong there Tom ……..Smokin 32 and I get on like water and oil! The VW is a great car but number 1 ? Cheap ! $129,000 is hardly cheap VW…..
Yep Tony will be interesting after the X5 came out on top in a resent comparison with Merc and Audi. None of these manufactures have the off wheel drive heritage of Land Cruiser or Range Rover,to me there all wagons with lift kits,my opinion!
Bavarian, are you saying the Touareg is too small for towing?
It can’t seriously be considered too big by tow vehicle standards. It’s smaller than a Pajero.
Yep thats what I was getting at Reckless…..to small to tow any thing large!
Are there any V10 on this price ? ($129000)
I just sold a R50 with all the “bling” :) $170K
Nice…
Can you justify the price? Well it’s better appointed then a Porsche Cayenne. Would I take it off-road? Yes, I tried it – don’t even have to lower tyre pressure at the dunes in Lancelin. Would I take it onto the Birdsville Track? Only in a convoi with some one who has VW spareparts. The issue with “serious” off-roaders is accessories & spare availibility such as winch & spares etc. (if anyone needs info on a Touareg which needs a winch, visit a German site by “Touareg freunde” who have a pic-by-pic instruction how to install a WARN winch). For serious off-roading aLand Cruiser remains a favorite purely based on support in remote locations.
The R50 is a great beast if you have the spare cash. Yes, yo can take it off road & it’ll even give the old HOLDEN Commodore a run for it’s moneu at the traffic lights :)
Hey guys, I can’t afford the top of the range Touareg. But has the 3.0L diesel or the petrol got the grunt to pull a horse float?