VW GOES FOR THE GOLD FROM COAST-TO-COAST
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Sat, Apr 24, 2004
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
Volkswagen Touareg
VW
GOES FOR THE GOLD FROM COAST-TO-COAST
The all-new 2004 Volkswagen Touareg is the company's
first attempt to venture into the top tier of the automotive marketplace.
Volkswagen is well known around the world for economical vehicles that are well
engineered and very reliable, Volkswagen, with the introduction of the Touareg,
is entering new territory with a smartly styled, powerful, versatile, luxurious
and very safe sport utility carrying a base price of $34,900.00.
© All photos by Harvey Schwartz I
was planning on visiting family and friends in Pompano Beach, Florida, and
thought that since I was testing the V8 powered model here in LA the week
before, why not try scheduling the V6 model in Florida and take my family and
friends around in style as I visited the canals in Pompano Beach, and the
Florida Everglades in nearby Loxahatchee. The experience was worthwhile as
I was able to test and evaluate both the top-of-the-line V8 powered version and
entry V6 powered model. Both Touaregs come standard with all-wheel-drive, and with two rows of
seating for five.
The top model sports a 4.2 liter, 40-valve DOHC V8 that generates 310 hp and 302
lb.ft. of torque, and offers a four-corner, six-height-adjustable, air spring
suspension system that makes this vehicle equal to Jeeps and Hummers in serious
off-roading. The V8 powered Touareg also comes shod with big 255/55R18
all-season radial tires that wrap around 18x8 inch alloy wheels. Bigger 19
inch tires and wheels are also available. The standard independent wishbone suspension features upper & lower
control arms, gas-charged shocks, steel coil springs, and anti-roll bars, front
and rear. The 3.2 liter DOHC V6 engine makes 220 hp and 225 lb.ft. of
torque and comes standard with 255/60R17 all-season radial tires wrapped around
17x7.5 inch alloy wheels. If you need a wagon for towing, the Touareg is the choice since either engine
is factory rated for towing up to 7,716 lbs. Both engines are hooked up to
a silky smooth and powerful six-speed automatic transmission with VW's
'manumatic' shift control. A Dynamic Shift Program offers a sport mode
that holds gears too much higher revs before shifting. The transmission
sends engine power to all the wheels via VW's 4Motion permanent 4WD, with a
low-range gear and adaptive torque distribution. There is a standard
rear-differential lock on the V8 and optional on the V6. Driving dynamics are excellent with either engine but I loved driving the V8
in LA. There is plenty of power when needed for merging or cruising. With
the fully independent wishbone suspension, the truck handles and performs much
like a luxury sport sedan. The ride is always smooth and relaxed.
The power assisted, Servotronic rack & pinion steering system easily guides
you where you want to go. The Touareg's 7-traction-control systems, that
includes hill descent and hill rollback control, help to keep you on track on or
off the road. The Touareg is designed for serious off-roading. The smooth and well-executed exterior styling features, up front, bi-Xenon
headlamps with a headlight washer system, VW's signature grille, an air intake
on the center lower bumper and air intakes on the sides. The deep skirt
features small round fog lamps on the sides. From the side you see flowing lines from the high front end that sweeps up
the steeply raked windshield, over the flat roof and then slightly out and down
over the rear hatch. Long pieces of chrome accents outline the strong and
rugged silhouette of the Touareg, and if you think you've seen the same
profile on the all-new Porsche Cayenne, you are correct. VW developed the
basic body and chassis of the Cayenne for Porsche. Porsche adds its own
interior, sheetmetal, and engines.
Inside is where the Touareg shines and disappoints. The four doors open
wide but should open wider for easier entry and exit since the low roofline
makes you bend you neck to enter or exit. The other disappointment is that
the Touareg comes only with two rows of seats for five persons, not five adults,
since I tried getting three adults into the rear but it was too cramped.
Not a big deal, but with so many other luxury mid-size sport utilities offering
three rows, VW should have engineered the same. Maybe next year?
Other than these two shortcomings, the interior is just like sitting in your
easy chair in your favorite room. The visibility is great with plenty of
side viewing. The 12-way powered and heated leather bucket seats with
memory are very comfortable and very supportive. There is real wood and
real aluminum trim everywhere for a luxurious touch. All buttons, dials,
and levers are within easy reach and fully illuminated for safe nighttime
travel. The optional 4-area electronic climate control really works.
The beefy leather wrapped, tilting and telescoping steering wheel feels perfect
in your hands and contains buttons for the 375 watt 12 channel, 11 speaker,
audio system, electronic cruise control, and the optional navigation system.
The only problem I found with the navigation system, if you option for it, is
that you can't listen to a CD when the navigation system is working because it
shares the same entry slot with the navigation system's CD. There is a
6-CD changer mounted on the left side of the cargo area. I loved looking at the beautiful instrument cluster with its deep blue color.
You get a big, 160mph speedometer, 8,000 rpm tachometer, and smaller gauges for
fuel, engine temperature, oil temperature and voltmeter. Bright LED lights
warn of system or safety failure. All four windows have 'one-touch' up
or down and the door locks are powered. The gated gearshift lever is in
the right position for easy and firm use. Thick pile carpeting and thick
floor mats help keep unwanted outside noise out of the cabin. Two big,
pop-up dials on the real wood trimmed center console easily control seven
traction-control systems, hill descent and hill rollback and six adjustable
ride-heights. In the center is a knurled button to set one of three
damping settings. There is also an optional parking assist sensor that
helps you avoid hitting objects behind you when backing up.
Grab handles are found above each door and there are reading lamps in the back.
The rear seating section benefits from air vents behind the center console that
also houses the rear entertainment system. The second row bench seat also
comes with a pull-down center armrest with dual cupholders that pop-out to use.
The 60/40 split bench seat folds flat for extra storage in the fully carpeted
cargo area. You'll notice chrome tie-down rings, a security shade and
12volt plug. When you open the lift gate the lip is line with a wide and
ribbed chrome strip. The all-new 2004 VW Touareg comes standard with the latest safety features
including front and rear crush zones, side impact beams in each door, driver and
front passenger front airbags, side airbags, side curtain protection again head
injuries, front and rear, 3-point safety belts for all seating, lower anchors
and tethers for children, child safety rear door locks intelligent crash
response system, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lamps. Prices for the all-new Touareg are competitive with other mid-size luxury
sport utilities.
The loaded V6 powered model starts $34,900.00 and the fully loaded V8 model that
I tested stickers at $53,205.00. As I mentioned before, the Touareg is designed for serious off-road
adventures, and is also one of the best looking, best handling, most
comfortable, safe, and well appointed mid-size sport utilities vehicles.
Driving the V8 powered Touareg was a pleasure on the fast LA freeways; up and
around the joyous Santa Monica Mountain canyons. In Florida, the V6
Touareg was perfect to drive over and around the beautiful canals of Pompano
Beach, and then out to the Everglades at Loxahatchee.
© Harvey Schwartz
For more information on Volkswagen products, go to www.vw.com.
More photos from Harvey Schwartz can be found at www.autofotos.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Name of vehicle: 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
Price: $53,205.00 as tested
Engine type: 4.2 liter DOHC 40-valve V8, aluminum alloy block/head
Horsepower: 310 at 5,400 rpm
Torque: 302 lb.ft. at 4,000 rpm
Drive configuration: front engine/all-wheel drive
Transmission type:
6-speed automatic transmission with Sport Shift, and Tiptronic manumatic
auto/manual shifting
Front suspension: upper & lower control arms, computer controlled air
springs, computer controlled gas-charged shocks, anti roll bar.
Rear suspension: upper & lower control arms, computer controlled air
springs, computer controlled gas-charged shocks, anti-roll bar
Wheels/tires: 18x8 in. aluminum alloy wheels/P255/55R18 in. all-season steel
belted radial tires.
Brakes:
13 in. front vented discs with 4-piston caliper/13 in. vented rear discs with
twin-piston calipers with ABS, Brake Assist, Dynamic Rear Brake Proportioning
Overall length: 187.2 in.
Overall width: 75.9 in.
Overall height: 68.0 in.
Curb weight: 5,086 lbs. to 5,250 lbs.
EPA mileage:
14 mpg city / 18 mph highway (V8)
15 mpg city / 20 mpg highway (V6)
0-60 mph: 8.8 sec. V8/10.8 sec. V6