Volkswagen’s largest SUV will get an update with exterior tweaks and new technology
The third-generation Volkswagen Touareg has been with us since 2018, meaning Volkswagen’s premier SUV is ripe for a mid-life facelift. Judging by our latest spy shots a full reveal of the revised model isn’t too far away.
To more successfully rival the likes of the Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery and the recently updated Mercedes GLE, Volkswagen will bestow the Touareg with a technology update inside and a slight redesign of the exterior. The overall range configuration won’t change – those looking for a seven-seat SUV from within the VW Group stable will be served by the Audi Q7 and the Touareg’s MLBevo platform won’t allow for a pure-electric model.
These new spy shots show the new Volkswagen Touareg undergoing the usual winter testing treatment. The front will receive Volkswagen’s updated badge and a restyled grille, while beneath the headlights (which should come with a new LED signature) an extra crease has appeared. Larger air intakes also appear on the model in the pictures and we expect that sportier R-Line and Touareg R versions will get bespoke trim once again.
The pre-facelift 20-inch wheels remain on this test car but we expect a new design of rim to launch with the updated model. There’s very little to differentiate between the rear of this test Touareg and that of the outgoing model thanks to the snow acting as makeshift camouflage. The rear lights and the bumper configuration remain the same. The ‘Touareg’ lettering has been positioned lower on the bootlid, however, and the new VW badge also sits further down with an extra horizontal crease connecting the two rear lights – for a look that’s closer to the North American and Chinese market VW Atlas.
Underpinning the latest Touareg will be the same MLB Evo platform as before, which is also found in other VW Group premium SUVs, such as the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. This means the lineup of powertrains is unlikely to change so expect a 3.0-litre V6 petrol with 335bhp and another combined with a plug-in hybrid system producing a total of 456bhp. There should also be two 3.0-litre V6 diesels with 228bhp and 282bhp. Each powertrain will be mated to Volkswagen 4MOTION four-wheel drive system.
Given the Touareg already uses Volkswagen’s largest infotainment screens (a 15-inch display alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel) as part of its ‘Innovision Cockpit’ layout, we don’t expect to see a change here for the facelifted model. A new infotainment design might be brought out on the Touareg as VW’s upcoming ID.7 has shown a new layout on its 15-inch central screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will return as will the Wi-fi hotspot.
The current Touareg starts from £56,125 in Black Edition trim (the only version now available), so expect the facelifted model to sit nearer to £60k when it goes on sale this year.
Now check out the latest on the new Volkswagen Tiguan here…
Keyword: New Volkswagen Touareg spied ahead of 2023 facelift