Touareg bumps up the power
16 Nov, 2007
13 Comments 
Volkswagen has announced a power upgrade for its Touareg 3.0 TDI.
Despite no change in its price, the $74,990 diesel 4WD will be available early next year with more power and torque.
Up 11kW and 50Nm, the new motor now stands at a respectable 176kW and a stump pulling 550Nm, eclipsing its cousin, the Q7. No word from Audi yet, as to whether its car will follow suit.
With that much torque and fuel economy on offer, you have to wonder why anyone would bother with the identically priced petrol V6.
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November 16th, 2007 at 9:04 am
*****PRIMO!******
Look at the price, LOL, is it no wonder that they only sell a handful a year.
Needs to be $50k if they where serious about it, maybe the Skoda cloned one will be?
Cheers
F-0
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November 16th, 2007 at 9:27 am
You would have to be silly to buy the V6. Frugal One, the Touareg is a very nice car, and I’d seriously consider buying it if I was in the market for a premium 4WD.
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November 16th, 2007 at 10:43 am
You think that’s expensive, look at the V10 TDI. I’d still prefer an X5 but presumably this has slightly better off road capability
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November 16th, 2007 at 11:18 am
I almost agree with Mr Primo here.
The Touareg will only ever be a niche 4WD here at that price. It is only $10k more for a X5 diesel (with better resale).
I am considering a new X5 (and a few others) but the VW is overpriced. Other VW’s sell on value for money but not this one. If it was $60k (Primo - $50k just would never happen…) it may have had a chance for consideration…
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November 16th, 2007 at 11:29 am
You guys are dreaming if you think the Touareg should be $60000. You have to pay $70000 for a Pajero or a Prado, both of which are way downmarket from the Touareg.
I’d LOVE it to be 60,000 - there’d be one in my drive tonight if that was the case.
It beats the X5 and ML offroad by a country mile. The 4-motion system is way ahead of competitors.
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November 16th, 2007 at 11:43 am
I agree reckless. Iamthestig, you say that the Touareg is overpriced, when it is $10k cheaper than the X5, even though the Touareg has an extra 15kW and 50Nm. Not sure how you justify that one, unless you value the BMW badge at about $15k!
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November 16th, 2007 at 11:45 am
I meant how can you consider the X5 if you rule out the Touareg because it is poor value for money even though it is superior in many regards?
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November 16th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I suppose the two vehicles differ significantly in their positioning; the second-gen X5 is reported to be superior off road than the first, but the equity of the badge means it commands a higher premium and better resale; people will buy it for its looks, which I reckon is more than you could say about the Touareg, unfortunately. The VW would have the upper hand off road, of course, but does that really matter in Toorak, or Mosman? The new X5 now has 7-seat capacity (as an option) as well.
You might even consider the Touareg as a bit of a bargain up against the Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, with which it shares quite a few bits and pieces…
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November 16th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
There is only one choice - the TDI or if you’re minted, the R50.
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November 16th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
aidi Q7 also gets the updated engine!
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November 16th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
“Reckless1 Says:
November 16th, 2007 at 11:29 am
You guys are dreaming if you think the Touareg should be $60000. You have to pay $70000 for a Pajero or a Prado, both of which are way downmarket from the Touareg.
I’d LOVE it to be 60,000 - there’d be one in my drive tonight if that was the case.
It beats the X5 and ML offroad by a country mile. The 4-motion system is way ahead of competitors.”
I do gravel roads, go to farms and very occasionally have to tiptoe through rough ground. A X5 is great for this - I don’t need low range. The extra offroad ability is wasted on me but at least I would get it dirty unlike a large number of families in 4WD’s !
I am dreaming to think the Touareg would be cheaper - just a observation that if the car was cheaper they would sell more. If you are going to go “Euro” then many would go for something with better resale for a little more.
It should also be noted that the X5 does have a few extras that are options on the Tourareg:
Bluetooth phone integration
Foglights
18″ not 17″ wheels
Look, I may not get another X5 but I after having a Touareg for a weekend (driving them back to back) I was unimpressed with it. For $10k change, the difference was quite noticable in refinement and handling…
BTW. I am certainly not biased against VW - I personally bought my missus has a new one !
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November 17th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Planted my bum in the Touareg again yesterday (the dealer is 500metres from my home) and had a long chat with the service manager. I wanted to know the sheduled service prices for the V6 Diesel, fearing a hefty service cost.
I was pleasantly surprised, the 15000 1year was about $350, the 30,000 about $600, the 45,000 about 700 and the 60,000 $1000. Then the rotation started again. My short term memory is not what it was, but I remember that none was a heart attack invoker. By comparison the Golf 2 litre DSG Diesel has a 120,000k service at $1700 (cam belt) and brakes replacement at 45,000, meaning that particular golf has dearer servicing than the Touareg.
VW is also updating ECU software on all Touaregs even if out of warranty and replacing some parts free of charge where they are found to be wearing too early - I think he mentioned a water pump on one of the engines was failing early and was being replaced.
The objective of this was to retain existing customers and get them happy to buy a new one when they next change vehicles.
Tyres were lasting owners about 40,000ks, and some were fitting ATs to the 17″ rims to improve off-road grip and puncture resistance, this was causing a slightly less plush ride around town but much better on the trails.
Having 17″ wheels rather than 18″ wheels makes this possible at a sane price, whereas in 18″ there is only one AT tyre available at an insane price.
I’d be curious to know the BMW service costs on the X5, not because I don’t like the BM, I do, but just for info.
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December 6th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I bought the V6 TDI update, after rejecting the other prestige marques. The Treg gives you much more value for money, with many standard features that are options on the others. Whilst the badge lacks the cachet of the other Germans, I am happy to avoid the stigma that drivers of the other German brands have. Superior off-road abilities are not to be undervalued either……
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