Going The Extra Mile
Wheels Magazine|May 25, 2018

Volkswagen's Latest Flagship Is a Tech-laden Suv That Wants a Piece of Bmw, Mercedes, and Audi…  We Drive It in Austria to See How It Ranks Up

Dejan Jovanovic
Going The Extra Mile

This is the most technologically advanced Volkswagen you can buy today. It’s the post-Piëch Phaeton, grand in everything but ambition. Let’s face it, the failed Phaeton took on too much — it took on Bentley.

The third-generation Touareg (although you can spec it up to 100,000 euros here in Europe with taxes) stays only somewhat more grounded going up against BMWs, Mercs, and Porsches and Audis. Volkswagen’s own brands.

Take the crisp 12in driver’s display in high definition, something Volkswagen keeps calling ‘innovision’. In the Ingolstadt dialect, a few hours south of Wolfsburg, it’s pronounced ‘Audi Virtual Cockpit’.

In order to take its latest Touareg SUV upmarket and really stand neck and neck with X5s, GLCs, and Audis, Volkswagen’s made it… an Audi.

This is a serious bit of kit, headlining Volkswagen’s line-up as the company’s flagship SUV despite the bigger US-built Terramont soon to arrive in the Middle East. That seven-seater comes on the Group’s MQB platform, the same one as the humble Golf, and the two-seater Audi TT. This kind of commoditisation means it will start from under Dh200,000, whereas a loaded Touareg will likely be around Dh300,000 with potential for more.

See, the Touareg is an MLB car, which makes it related to the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini’s 305kph Urus, as crazy as that sounds.

A million Touaregs have been sold since 2002, and the Germans expect most buyers of the new third-gen model to come straight from the old car. Volkswagen people in Austria at the launch talk a lot about customer research and you can imagine the focus groups, so perhaps it is a committee-car with a distinct corporate character. It’ll blend in, but it shouldn’t be ignored.

Denne historien er fra May 25, 2018-utgaven av Wheels Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 25, 2018-utgaven av Wheels Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WHEELS MAGAZINESe alt
Infiniti QX30 - New Kid On The Block
Wheels Magazine

Infiniti QX30 - New Kid On The Block

The Japanese premium brand bolsters its utility vehicle line-up with a sub-compact crossover. Is it good enough to make a mark in the highly competitive segment?

time-read
3 mins  |
June 8, 2018
The World's Best Race Track
Wheels Magazine

The World's Best Race Track

There are far more race tracks out there than you might have imagined, but, which one is the best?

time-read
2 mins  |
June 8, 2018
All-New Bespoke Generation 6 Tyre Arrives In Middle East
Wheels Magazine

All-New Bespoke Generation 6 Tyre Arrives In Middle East

Designed specifically for the region’s driving conditions, the new range will be available in three distinct product lines

time-read
1 min  |
June 8, 2018
Lincoln Navigator - AL Tayer Motors Begins Deliveries
Wheels Magazine

Lincoln Navigator - AL Tayer Motors Begins Deliveries

Combines modern luxury with advanced technology; starts from Dh351,750

time-read
1 min  |
June 8, 2018
Toyota Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle - Fuel For Thought
Wheels Magazine

Toyota Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle - Fuel For Thought

Has 70 per cent better economy compared to 2.5-litre petrol engine variant

time-read
2 mins  |
June 8, 2018
Honda Civic Pickup Truck Keep On Truckin'
Wheels Magazine

Honda Civic Pickup Truck Keep On Truckin'

Honda shows its fun side with a new one-off Civic Type R pickup truck and a Nürburgring lap record in its sights

time-read
1 min  |
June 8, 2018
Bentley - Setting New Global Standards
Wheels Magazine

Bentley - Setting New Global Standards

Employees achieve ‘Silver Award’ for customer service

time-read
1 min  |
June 8, 2018
Rapid Response
Wheels Magazine

Rapid Response

Aston Martin has given the Rapide a comprehensive going over and created a naturally aspirated four-door super-saloon to remind you the good ol’ days are still with us

time-read
1 min  |
June 22, 2018
More The Merrier
Wheels Magazine

More The Merrier

Lexus’ mid-size SUV gets seven seats, but does that make it a more compelling choice in its segment?

time-read
3 mins  |
June 22, 2018
Handle With Care
Wheels Magazine

Handle With Care

Rob bought this C4 because of its handling prowess — not tomention those gorgeous looks and powerful V8! He tells usmore about his classic Corvette

time-read
4 mins  |
June 22, 2018