The Volkswagen Touareg, a fine SUV in the first place, has become even better in its new avatar. We had the pleasure of driving it from Nagpur in Maharashtra to Pench in Madhya Pradesh, with an off-roading session thrown in for good measure at the end of this 120-km drive
The new Volkswagen Touareg was launched in India at the Auto Expo in January 2012 and we were invited to Nagpur to drive this SUV. The drive was from Nagpur to Pench in Madhya Pradesh.
The Touareg in its new avatar is a far better looking SUV than its predecessor as the longer wheelbase gives the car a good profile from the side. It has a lesser overhang on either side now. The longer wheelbase also improves the handling further, though the old one was not a bad handling car. The ride quality has improved considerably over the predecessor’s.
The leather seats are comfortable with good side and lumbar support for long-distance driving. As expected of Volkswagen, the interior is top class and can hold its own against the best.
The V6 three-litre TDI punches out 245 PS at 3,800 RPM and a massive 550 Nm of torque at a mere 1,750 RPM and is mated to an eight-speed auto triptronic gearbox. This combination of engine and gearbox in the Touareg delivers excellent performance and refinement. One can hardly hear the engine running as the diesel motor delivers power right from 1,200 RPM onwards without the slightest fuss.
The Touareg was fuelled and ready for us at the Nagpur airport for the 120-kilometre drive to Pench, which went like a breeze in this car. One you did not feel a single thing as the front and rear multi-link suspension took everything in its stride from potholes to broken roads.At Pench there was a special off-roading course set up by VW to demonstrate the off-roading capabilities of the Touareg. There were a number of different obstacles the SUV had to negotiate and, at times, the vehicle would have anything from two to three wheels on the ground. With the auto hold you can stop on a steep climb by just taking your foot off the accelerator pedal without touching the brake and then step on the gas and get going without bothering about the brakes. In the hill descent mode, all you have to do is steer the car without touching the brakes. The Touareg will make even ordinary drivers look good.
If you want a luxury SUV that can take you off the beaten path, then the Touareg is the one.
Story & Photography: Aspi Bhathena
