2008 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI Review
October 24, 2007 by Karl Peskett
What was a surprise was the optional automatic tailgate. Ideal for shopping, or when rain heads your way, a button on the key-fob opens the motorised tailgate. And when you’ve finished loading, simply press the button on the bottom of the tailgate and it shuts itself, as well as latching closed. Neat, and handy. The entire Touareg range can be optioned with it too – it comes highly recommended.
Where the Touareg departs from Volkswagen’s traditional ways, is in the area of braking. Normally, Volkswagen’s braking is set up slightly over-assisted, and gentle dexterity is required to not send passengers through the windscreen.
The Touareg’s brakes are the opposite. When brakes are applied, you wonder whether the thing will stop, but each increment of travel reveals even more retardation. Indeed, a heavy-handed (or should that be footed?) slam engages the electronic brake-assist and distribution function which hauls down the weight, and makes inertia seem like a theory, and not reality. Except, of course, that the occupants have continued forward, being caught by the seatbelts. But it is reassuring to know that it’s there if you need it.
And that’s only part of the safety story. Driver and passenger, front and side, and two full-length curtain airbags protect the occupants. In addition, impact absorbing zones are employed, including an aluminium bonnet, as well as polycarbonate front guards (which also help with weight distribution).
To counter the notion that this was designed solely for the school-run, the air-suspension can raise or lower the ride-height according to ground-clearance needs. An electronically lockable rear differential, and a crawling low-range also mean that it truly will go anywhere. In fact, on the same terrain that left a Nissan Patrol diesel red-faced, the Touareg simply walked up the hill.
Don’t let the 20-inch wheels fool you. This VW is capable. Rock climbing is a breeze due to the stupendous torque (all 750Nm is available at 2000rpm), but sand is also easy, as the 230kW does its best to keep the wheels spinning at high revs.
And even though the coil-sprung models are a bit more compliant than the V10’s air-suspension, the drive is still quite smooth, with only the roughest ripples ruffling the ride. The damper presets allow for 3 modes; Sport, Comfort and Auto. To be honest, there’s little difference to separate them, so we left it in Sport.
At higher speeds, this setting drops the car by a few millimetres, allowing less air under the car, aiding stability. Just don’t try to corner like a sports car. This is 2532kgs that can only be chucked around with a certain amount of enthusiasm. Thank goodness for its expertly calibrated ESP.
Overall, the V10 TDI Touareg is a stunning performer. Although no sports car, it has the grunt to embarrass anything this side of a Cayenne Turbo. The fact that it can also keep up with hardcore off-roaders is testament to the fact that Volkswagen hasn’t pandered to the SUV crowd.
Sure, it could use a bit more room inside, and a full size spare wheel would be great, but for this sort of performance, there’s not much that will keep up with it. At $121,990 plus on roads, it’s getting up there, but that’s par for the course in luxury 4WDs these days.
Oh yes, then there’s the torque. That 750Nm does so much to transform the regular Touareg into an absolute ball tearer. It will overtake with ease, and the ZF transmission is so damn smooth it makes driving it a joy. Just keep the right foot under control, or you’ll be visiting the servo more often than usual. Now, where’s my fuel card…..
0 
0 
I want one – NOW…..
Thanks, Alborz, for your kind offer, but I really can’t accept :)
This is really a feat.
Amazing, saw it at the Sydney Int. Motorshow and it is certainly appealing to the eye. I’m interested on how this beast would run with the space saver on because wouldn’t it put the car on a tilt due to the space savers size?
I saw the one in the back of the Touareg and it certainly looks small.
Excellent review Karl
You’d be pissed if you’d just spent $30k more on the outgoing model. Gotta love the Toe-rag!
Great review Karl :)
Off topic Karl is there a way for me to buy some of the Test Drive Australia road tests that was on C31 here in Adelaide that you did ?
As I’m a VAG fanatic would love if you could copy all the VAG stuff onto DVD(s) I would pay of course ;)
No worries Phaeton.
I’ve sent you an e-mail.
KP
Awesome motor. pity all veedub look the same. its much like a pup up tiguan…which is like a pumped passat…..which looks like a mildly updated golf….. which looks like a pumped up polo……oh i’m bored
Well the new X5 sd is a twin turbo diesel which is .2 seconds quicker to 100km/h that the V10 VW. Once again BMW show how to use every NM to its full extent !
Im surprised by the writers fuel economy comments,I owne an 05 V10 with 40,000k’s running mixed highway / city at around 800k’s a week and average 11.6 litres per 100k’s, better than my previous Falcon GT at 15.5ltrs per 100k’s !!
And re the $30K price variance from the previous model, agree to a point but the new model is a significantly lower spec in base config.
Average consumption on my many interstate trips was initially 11km/l and has now dropped to 10km/l after about 40000km/6 mths. Get around 8km/l around town. Yes, I do let it off the leash as often as possible without being a hoon.
The X5 without dual range would not get to places the Treg laughs off. Also, useable fuel capacity in the Beemer is only around 60l, compared to the Treg’s 80l. The Treg is also far roomier and comfortable – it’s the ultimate all-round tourer without the wank factor.
BMW’s……….boring boring boring…..the X5 is a lovely vehicle but not unique. The VW V10 is officially the most powerful diesel engine…why do we all judge a 4×4 on how it gets to 100km’s…there is no point. A true 4×4 is diverse, and I am sure that the Tourag would wipe the floor with the X5 in many other areas. Note to TY BMW’s are two a penny and if I had the money, even if the X5 was a great drive, I could not by one, they are so common….boring boring boring….. every footballer has one in the UK…what a testiment as most of them have no brain cells!!!!
Test drove the 3.0 TDI last week performance was great appears solid and well built.It looks great. The comments I read previously about cost of performance brake and tyres previously put me off. I am thinking about taking the plunge. Any local experience from owners may assist my purchase dilema. Any owner feedback welcolme.
Oli, hopefully Tonyn sees your post. He should be able to help. Pretty sure hes got experience with most of the VW Group sold here.
a stock 5.4Litre 220kW/472Nm Barra220 V8 3V or a Barra230 the 230kW/500Nm can easily beat this, just give it a CAPA supercharger, and you get an instant 1000Nm from just 1500rpm and over 500kW with out even touching an exchaust system. Not to mention the new Fords 6.4L Turbo Diesel for F-250 for 2010.
well ive owned both the x5 two of them that is of the v8s 4.4 and also had 2 v10 touareg cant compare the 2.that v10 is a motor second to none and sure u can bolt some thing on to your 3l motor to push ou t 1000nm ,but how long would it last and its a bolt on action u know what i mean.the v10 is the best thing since peanut butter believe me.i have driven the new x5 win turbo not as nice as the touareg!!1