Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI Exclusive - polyphonic
Achieving excellence in many areas is not easy. Therefore, it is not surprising that the people of the Renaissance are an endangered species, and little is said about polo in sports. Some cars also need to be versatile because they serve more than one function. Not only does the Volkswagen Touareg struggle in the large SUV class, but it also appears to be replacing the high-end limousine that Volkswagen hasn't had since the Phaeton. To do this, he must have many skills. Will the Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI handle it?
At first glance, I give him a good chance. In addition to commercial vehicles, the Touareg is the largest vehicle in the Volkswagen range, and the engine and equipment offering seems to meet the expectations of the most demanding customers. Is it possible to flash normally in this machine? After all, you buy a car with your eyes. In addition, buyers of such cars often want to be looked at by others. Volkswagen Touareg differs not only in its size. Yes, he has solid dimensions - almost 4,8 meters long, 194 centimeters wide and more than 170 centimeters high is enough to be noticed. That's not all. Touareg also falls into the category of "beautiful cars". After the first contact, we will recognize the make of the car in front of us. In this case, the often criticized, somewhat conservative style of Wolfsburg cars is more attractive.
Why? Too fancy SUV, devoid of traditional proportions, may not be successful. Touareg is made in a classic style, but restyling in 2010 made the car visually lighter and no longer resembles a closet, which was reproached with the previous version. The front is clearly visible the latest "image" of Volkswagen in the form of geometric lamps connected by a grille with longitudinal bars and a large manufacturer's logo. The lateral line is traditional, but proportional. And in the back with dual exhaust, inflated fenders and big headlights, it looks very good. From this point of view, the car appears relatively small and wide. There are as many supporters of Volkswagen style as there are opponents. I usually criticize the conservative look of Wolfsburg cars, but I really like the Touareg. Maybe it's its size, maybe it's the good lines, or maybe it's the chrome fittings and big wheels? I won't crumble. It just looks good.
When I climbed inside, I thought that it was not like in other Volkswagen cars. At first I thought that this was a logical feeling, because the interior of this car should be more luxurious than other models in the line. However, this was not the case. I just found a little more... art here. The dashboard is still traditional and Volkswagen-esque, but the stylistic "broken" center console has broken the ideal simplicity of the design. A small change and the effect is immediately noticeable. The display is now closer to the driver for easier access, while the buttons and dials are lower, recessed deeper into the center console. This brings the element to life, but also distorts Volkswagen's masterful ergonomics. To reach some of the switches, you need to get off your chair. Ergonomic slip in this brand? Yes, but small.
The rest of the handles and buttons are in the usual places, so every driver will quickly feel at home here. It's nice to get in from other cars without feeling lost. The very sensitive screen is to be commended, and the menu that allows you to control all the on-board systems is beautiful, legible and transparent. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find the Polish language, which for this class of car and price should be considered a big disadvantage. Or maybe the Touareg motivates you to learn languages? He didn't encourage me at all. Between the cute clock is a large on-board computer display that shows the necessary data and allows you to control the “driving assistants”. Everything works the way I would like it to and, in fact, apart from minor remarks, the Touareg defends itself well from my criticism.
The materials used for the finishing look very good and the matching of the elements is beyond doubt. The plastic is designed in dark colors, but enlivened with silver inserts and wooden elements of disputable beauty. I just don't like the texture and color of this veneer, which is reminiscent of my unpopular aunt's shiny furniture from a bygone era. However, I believe that someone may like it, and I respect him completely. After all, each of us has different childhood memories. However, wood veneer has a significant drawback - it is quickly scratched. The upper part of the dashboard is finished with such soft plastic that when pressed with a finger, it seems to sink into the material. It's a pity that the central tunnel and door panels are finished with a hard material that our elbows and knees will sometimes feel. The interior is effectively illuminated by the huge panoramic roof, which is worth every extra penny. The driving position is excellent, the seats are comfortable. The inside of the Touareg looks very good. After all, I did not feel the luxury that I expected from this car, knowing which version I would love to drive. Disappointment? Exactly like the absence of your favorite beer in the store - other good ones too, but you still want it.
The Volkswagen Touareg leaves no room for doubt about interior space. If in your free time you like to count cubic centimeters, I will be happy to know how many there are in this spacious cabin. It is enough for me to know that here I can comfortably lean back, take five tall passengers and not listen to their complaints. The trunk has one drawback. This is a roller blind that, when raised, does not return to its place, thus closing the rear window. Fortunately, the trunk will absorb a lot of luggage, and 580 liters will be enough, even if the car is driven by 5 women who need to change clothes three times a day. The 772 kg load capacity means that after the last wash, the trims can still be wet and we won't overload the Touareg. A heavy "backpack" will not stop this car.
It is not surprising, because for all these kilograms there is something to pull on. Under the hood is a powerful diesel generator. The emblem on the tailgate says that this is not an economical engine, but a performance-oriented engine. After all, eight V-cylinders are the dream of many of us. The engine surprises in several ways at once. It's quite loud for the class of car, but it doesn't sound like a diesel, so I could understand it. The V8 TDI has large combustion amplitudes - when driving economically outside the city, it consumes only 7 liters per hundred, and in the city it can easily consume twice as much. When driving fast on the highway, it consumes 9,5 liters, which is a good result. Taking into account the weight, dimensions and large engine, Volkswagen is quite economical.
Tuareg - sprinter or draft bull? As you know, these two functions are difficult to combine. So says the theory, because the practical experience of operating this machine says otherwise. An 8-litre V4.2 engine with 340 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque powers this big car with ease. A sharp start makes the ground turn the other way, and 275 mm wide tires roll asphalt. A sharp start from the headlights leaves the entire GTI behind. In 6 seconds we have 100 km/h on the odometer and a lot of cars in the rearview mirror. Flexibility also leaves nothing to be desired. This car travels at any speed and in any gear, and pushes all passengers into the seat for free. You just have to be patient with the Tiptronic 8-speed automatic transmission, which sometimes doesn't fully read the signals sent by the driver's right foot and can't decide whether to shift it into one or two gears at once. It is best to press the gas to the floor, then the problem decreases. Touareg is not only fast, but also strong. 800 Nm, available over a wide rev range, makes it easy to pull a three-ton trailer or tear down the wall of an old garage. Just connect the wall and the Volkswagen with a rope and add gas.
The Touareg can do push-ups. And this is on our team. Obedience can be evoked by the ride height knob, which proves especially useful when we decide to drive this car on tarmac roads. The difference between the extreme settings is 140 millimeters, and the maximum ground clearance can increase up to 30 centimeters. And other terrain settings? For daredevils - the depth of the ford is 58 centimeters and the perspective angles of approach, exit and ramp are 25, 26 and 17 degrees, respectively. The car rises smoothly, gently rocking the passengers. Front and back rise alternately a few centimeters each time. The air suspension also has stiffness adjustment. Volkswagen offered 3 modes: comfort, normal and sport. I did not like the first one, and even found it redundant. In this setting, the Touareg is too soft and can wobble uncomfortably. This was especially signaled by passengers in the rear seats, mentioning symptoms similar to seasickness. The normal mode is just right for our bumpy roads, and the sport mode has become my favorite. With the stick in this position, you can afford to take a lot of cornering without otherwise losing bump damping. If we add in the excellent 4MOTION drivetrain, it turns out that the Touareg is a really good corner-eater that suddenly lost half of its 2222 kilograms of curb weight. Rides easily, confidently and predictably. Driving is a big advantage of this car, just remember to avoid comfort mode. Air suspension, despite the large surcharge of PLN 16, is worth considering.
The Touareg we reviewed had the Exclusive trim level, which seems to meet all the driver's needs. There are not many modern systems on board. The Blind Spot Assistant looks where our eyes cannot reach and informs us with a delicate lamp on the mirror to carefully change lanes. I really like the way the active cruise control doesn't panic, it brakes and accelerates smoothly, so the driver feels like the system really knows what it's doing. It is also worth paying extra for 20-inch wheels; although they limit the off-road capabilities, they significantly affect the appearance of this car. Adding large circles gives the silhouette a lighter feel. It's a pity that the 20s cost as much as 12 zlotys. Time for a quick cost overview. If the basic version of the Touareg V640 costs 8 and this is already a considerable amount for a car “for the people,” then the price of the tested version is dangerously close to 318 zlotys.
Touareg is a real multilogue. He has proven to have the skills of a sprinter. He can also be a tireless workhorse and weightlifter. Despite this, it does not lose grace in the turns, and the suspension allows us to perform fast slalom without harm to our health. After all, she has the makings of a celebrity because she just looks good. He is not without flaws, but distances himself from his more sedate counterparts. It works best as an SUV, slightly worse as a limousine. However, the Touareg is a really good Volkswagen - it's a shame we'll have to pay a lot for it. Luxury costs money, even from the People's Car manufacturer.
