Test drive VW Touareg V10 TDI: locomotive

After a little facelift, the VW Touareg boasts a new front end and even more advanced technologies. Test of a five-liter diesel V10 version with a capacity of 313 hp from.

The fact that the refreshed VW Touareg is hiding 2300 new components is essentially unnoticeable, at least visually. The most notable change is the redesigned front end, featuring the characteristic new VW style grille with chrome plate, new headlights and bumper and fender modifications.

The most significant innovations are hidden under the "packaging".

Among the most valuable innovations of the updated model are the ABS plus system, which provides shorter braking distances on adverse surfaces, and the extended functions of the ESP system, which provide a more reliable response in extreme situations. Equipped with air suspension, the V10 TDI can also be equipped with technology to reduce lateral body vibrations, as well as an electronic assistant that warns of unwanted lane departure (Front and Side Scan).

During the tests, the operation of all these systems proved to be effective and trouble-free. In terms of dynamic characteristics, with almost phenomenal traction, this car resembles a real locomotive that can easily pull a massive freight train. The monstrous five-liter diesel works perfectly in sync with the six-speed automatic transmission, which perfectly compensates for a little weakness when starting off with a timely "return" to a lower gear. Stable cornering behavior is complemented by precise steering and excellent driving comfort, making it an excellent choice for long journeys. In practice, the V10 TDI variant has an overall more significant disadvantage - the operation of the otherwise known drive unit is rather noisy and uncultivated.

Text: Werner Schruff

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert

2020-08-30