Volkswagen Touareg R50
It might be a diesel, but yes, it’s still all of the above. This is VW’s new R50. Due to be unveiled at the Australian International Motor Show later this month it’s the latest car from VW Individual, the same engineering group responsible for the Golf R32, Passat R36, and the Bluemotion range, including the Polo.
The Touareg R50 has VW’s 4.9-litre V10 diesel but with a ‘generous’ increase on power. Expect the standard 313bhp to rise to around the 350bhp mark, while the 553lb ft should climb to a round 600. The standard car only does 22.4mpg and pumps out 333g/km, so while that’s better than a Cayenne Turbo’s 19mpg and 358g/km, the power increase surely won’t do it any favors.
Completing the package are bigger wheels and tyres, tweaked suspension and a new bodykit. VW's press release gave no indication on price but this R50 will definitely be more than £60,000 when it arrives in the UK in spring of 2008.
Nope. In fact, it's giving Audi a close run for the number of new models expected over the next few years. We’ve just driven the VW Tiguan, and loved it, while by Christmas we’ll have Bluemotion versions of the Golf, Passat and Passat estate in the UK.
Behind the scenes, though not hidden from our spy cameras, VW is readying a new Golf.
