Talk about the cars you like in ONE.MOTORING Forum's Road Tests.
Forum

Introduction, styling

In the past, only Japanese manufacturers like Toyota and Honda embraced hybrid technology, while the Europeans focused on diesel power. The success of the hybrid in one of the most important car markets in the world as well as ever tightening emissions laws, the US though has convinced European car manufacturers that they can't shun hybrid technology anymore.

The differences between the hybrid and the 3.6 FSI on the outside are minimal to say the least. Externally, the hybrid model is differentiated by the chrome strip that runs along the sides on the sills, different wheels as well as the 'Hybrid' badges on the sills, front grille as well as on the tailgate.

The Touareg's overall styling is a combination of the first gen model as well as design themes from contemporary Volkswagens. The Tiuareg's narrow grille corporate nose look is not all about aesthetics though as Volkswagen claims that the Touareg's body is altogether more slippery through the air than its predecessor's, a Cd improvement of 0.03 to 0.35 to be exact. The hybrid model also features LED bulbs for its tail lamps, a feature that wasn't fitted on the car in the pictures here.

Performance, ride and handling

Under the bonnet lies the same hybrid drive train as its two closely related Porsche hybrid cousins, which means that the internal combustion engine is the 3-litre supercharged V6 lump from the Audi S4 among other models making 333bhp and 440Nm. Being a Volkswagen, the engine has obviously lost the 'F' from its TFSI moniker in the Audi models and is badged the TSI in the Touareg.

Unlike the Lexus RX450h's hybrid drive system where it has an electric motor powering the rear wheels supplementing the V6 petrol engine powered front wheels to boost performance, the Touareg Hybrid features a 34kW (46bhp) electric motor integrated within the transmission. Volkswagen doesn't quote the combined engine/motor's outputs but considering that the hybrid system and drivetrain is similar to Porsche's, we can assume that the Touareg's combined outputs to be similar to the Porsche models' 380bhp and 580Nm, numbers that are significantly higher than the 3.6 FSI variant's 280bhp and 360Nm.

Just like the Cayenne S Hybrid, the Touareg Hybrid may be driven either by the electric motor or the combustion engine alone, or by both drive units together. When maximum acceleration is required, the electric motor provides a boost effect for additional power and acceleration. The hybrid system also incorporates a nickel metal-hydride battery stack (NiMh) fitted beneath the luggage compartment, storing electrical energy regained when applying the brakes and driving under regular conditions. This energy is then available for boosting and electric motoring, again saving fuel in the process.

With a quoted 0-100km/h time of 6.5 seconds, the Touareg hybrid certainly feels urgent and quick for a large SUV powered by an engine that is smaller than the base model's 3.6 FSI unit. Compared to the latter, the Hybrid is a noticeable 1.3 seconds quicker to reach 100km/h from rest. The Hybrid also has the higher top speed - 240km/h versus the 3.6 FSI's 228km/h. Floor the hybrid's gas pedal to the carpet off the line and it certainly feels impressively quick for a big off-roader that weighs in at over 2.3 tons.

With the electric motor doing its job of boosting acceleration from very low speeds, the Touareg Hybrid doesn't feel at all lazy to get up to speed off the line. In fact, while the 3.6 FSI can feel flat-footed at some engine speeds, the hybrid feels noticeably more eager at any given speed and situation.

On the road, one can hardly feel the hybrid system at work as it seamlessly switches between petrol and electric power and vice versa. Power delivery via the eight-speed automatic gearbox is seamless indeed - the torque converter automatic gearbox is certainly a good match for the drivetrain's characteristics.

The Touareg is never renowned for its on road handling capabilities and the hybrid is no different. Even though it shared many components with the Porsche Cayenne underneath, it was nowhere near the latter when it comes to on road handling.

In terms of fuel economy, the hybrid returns an average fuel consumption figure of 12.2km per litre, which is significantly better than the 3.6 FSI's 9.6km per litre. Correspondingly, when it comes to the increasingly important CO2 emissions, the hybrid' 193 grams per km betters the base model's 248 grams per km.

Interior and conclusion

The hybrid model is little different from the standard V6 variant on the inside. With the batteries taking up the area under the boot floor, there isn't space for a spare wheel in the Touareg Hybrid - it is equipped with a quick fix puncture repair kit instead. Oddly though, the Cayenne Hybrid does get a spare, albeit one that is standing vertically on the right hand side of the luggage area, which isn't very pleasant looking or ideal.

The Touareg offers acres of room for passengers inside. There's great head and legroom (thanks to a 38mm longer wheelbase than the first gen model) at the rear even for the tallest of passengers. Up front, the driver and passenger get new electrically adjustable seats that are superbly comfortable while the dashboard is an ergonomic delight. The easy-to-read instruments are flanked by a colour screen that displays setting for the stereo, the MFD as well as directions for the standard sat nav - the hybrid model adds further info within the MFD that includes power flow indicators and so on. Furthermore, the large touchscreen for the infotainment system displays a bigger power flow diagram and an average fuel consumption chart for enlightening the passengers.

Perceived luxury and overall quality is a notch above Volkswagen models like the Golf and Passat even though some of the switchgear, like those on the multi function steering wheel is shared with lesser models. The Touareg Hybrid comes standard with loads of luxurious kit - keyless operation, a superb sounding CD stereo system with an internal hard drive, trip computer, sat nav, front and rear parking sensors, electrically operated tailgate, bi-Xenon headlamps and so on.

The hybrid commands a relatively reasonable twenty-six grand price premium over the regular 3.6-litre base Touareg, which isn't that significant when you consider the fuel savings in the long run and the extra performance it offers, making it a no brainer to stick to just petrol power alone in the 3.6 FSI Touareg variant.

Oneshift.com is the new, hip authoritative website for the passionate car enthusiast who wants to have anything and everything to do with cars. Backed by a community of strong enthusiasts, including a professional panel of road test journalists, Oneshift has under its wing a supportive, growing car community that houses members of every age from different walks of life.