Plug-in hybrids are a middle ground between conventional and electric vehicles. A source of excessive performance as well as a supply of middle ground. The Volkswagen Touareg R is the top of the line, the most costly vehicle produced by the Germans.
Volkswagen signifies “people’s car” by definition. Since its inception, the German company has sought to present itself as a supporter of middle-class mobilization. It’s odd that some of the country’s electricity corporations are directly affected by this rule. The Volkswagen Touareg R is both the most costly and powerful Volkswagen ever produced. It’s exceptional, even extravagant, but is it recommended? We put it to the test and examine it.
The Touareg R is the company’s most unique vehicle, with the exception of the anomaly that is the turn-of-the-century Volkswagen XL1. We’re talking about the company’s most costly product, as well as the largest and most polished, if we look at the pricing list. It is regarded as the benchmark in terms of performance and quality. In each of the several senses of the word, it is a flagship. As good as he is by himself.
The house’s SUV lineup has brought numerous delights. So many, in fact, that the fleet is now increasing with the introduction of new models such as the T-ROC, T-Cross, and Taigun. The earliest of them all was the Touareg. The cornerstone that established the basis for a highly prosperous family.
There have already been three generations of people who have walked on the asphalt and dirt, yet each generation has moved further away from the field to rest silently on the chilly asphalt. It has evolved from a real 4×4 to an SUV with excellent off-road capability.
He intended to focus on a more exclusive market with the debut of the next model, if at all feasible. The Volkswagen Touareg has increased in every manner, not just in size, with a 2.9 meter wheelbase and dimensions of 4.88 meters long, 1.98 meters wide, and 1.72 meters high. Quality, equipment, space, and comfort have all improved.
Come on, it has focused on all that the SUV consumer wants, leaving behind the off-road ambitions that they adored in the previous generation.
The cost has also increased significantly. The Touareg has always been more cost-effective than comparable vehicles such as the Mercedes GLE, BMW X5, Volvo XC90, and Audi Q7. Since they share a lot more than one may think at first, the latter might be crossed out as the twin brother. The Q7 60 TFSIe has a starting price of 93,150 euros in Ingolstadt, where Audi is headquartered. Why am I mentioning the 60 TFSIe? Because it comes with the same set of features as the Touareg R.
So, with that plainly premium positioning, what does Volkswagen have to offer? The first is an eye-catching SUV. The Touareg R makes no attempt to blend in. Its size is already a great ally in the face of indiscretion, but when we add scandalous artwork like the R range’s metallic blue and black 22-inch wheels, the outcome is that everyone will stare at you. I was astounded by the amount of attention he was receiving and the questions others were asking about him.
Many people are enthralled by its presence, which is understandable, but when you consider the price, you may not agree.
Despite this, I have to concede that this is the finest Touareg of all time, especially when viewed from the inside. Volkswagen wanted its flagship to have the most comprehensive and modern technology, with features not found in any other of the company’s vehicles.
Obviously, if you ask for a large sum of money for a product, you must attach some restrictions to it. The Touareg R’s finishes are of exceptional quality. Leather, cushioned surfaces, and well detailed moldings… Volkswagen demonstrates that it understands what it’s doing and delivers on its promises. A Q7 can provide higher-quality finishes, but it will need significantly more scratching of the pockets.
The cabin has the feel of a high-end automobile, and it’s well-designed and presented. Minimalism and digitization go hand in hand. All duty is delegated to two huge panels by a very subtle interior of tactile buttons. One that performs instrumentation duties with a large volume of data and many display choices.
The other display, which measures 15 inches and is larger than some laptops, is the multimedia system’s main center.
Although I am not a fan of a screen that performs all functions, I must confess that the excessive size helps. All of the “buttons” are fantastic since they make operating the menus and submenus easy even while driving. The system is well-designed and straightforward, albeit the sheer amount of capabilities it offers might be intimidating at first. It’s an early version of the modern Volkswagen Golf or ID family module, and I honestly believe it’s superior.
The equipment is the most comprehensive and opulent in the entire home.
LED matrix headlights, night vision camera, 360-degree parking camera, heated front seats with massaging function, four climate zones, panoramic sunroof, pneumatic suspension, power door lock, double glazing, and much more are just a few of the numerous features. Many comfort features were added to make each trip as pleasant as possible.
In this exceptional technical deployment, security is also a key consideration. The Touareg R comes with modern technology that allow it to achieve a level 2 of autonomous driving, as well as additional features like the trailer assistance and lateral wind assistant. It must be acknowledged that riding in it seems like riding in a tank, with a strong sense of security.
The height and seclusion give some of that security. The glass, as well as the insulating layers, are thicker than typical. All of this results in a low level of interior noise, with only the influence of high-speed air having the least effect on acoustic comfort.
It goes without saying that the Volkswagen Touareg R’s riding comfort is unrivaled within the brand. It would be much better if the rim diameter was reduced by an inch or two.
All of this ensures that the five passengers who can be accommodated inside have a nice journey. The rear seat passengers have plenty of headroom and legroom. Only the nascent transmission tunnel can diminish comfort, requiring the passenger in the middle to ride with their legs spread wide. The trunk isn’t much better, with a minimum capacity of 610 liters and a maximum capacity of 1,600 liters.
Three large persons can sit comfortably on the back bench.
When Volkswagen adds the R to one of its models, it transforms it into the family’s most powerful vehicle. A high-performance plug-in hybrid mechanical assembly is reserved for the Touareg R. A turbocharged V6 gasoline engine with a displacement of three liters is mounted under the hood.
A back battery with a net capacity of 14.3 kWh powers an electric motor next to it. The engine produces a maximum of 462 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque, with a claimed range of 47 kilometers on electricity.
The Volkswagen Touareg R is in the driver’s seat.
The Touareg R, like any decent PHEV, always begins in electric mode (a remaining battery is always left for it).
This provides for a very relaxing driving experience in the early phases of the march. In truth, it’s not just the initial bars that give you that sense; in actuality, all of your driving is geared toward that aim. For a few scenarios, you should feel at ease with a high level of performance.
When calculating the Touareg R’s power, many people wonder why so many horses are required. Power is seen as a status symbol. It’s not for everyone to have 462 horses beneath their right foot, but explaining why a Volkswagen costs so much and has so many horses is a tough battle. When the average client thinks about the vee and double vee signatures, he envisions logical items at a reasonable price with high confidence.
One of them talking about these numbers in front of the public is inappropriate. The fact is that having that much power isn’t required, and you’ll seldom use it, so choosing a Touareg PHEV with lesser performance makes far more sense.
But, since we’re in this situation, we must acknowledge that the Touareg R isn’t an awful driver. The scale indicates a weight of 2,465 kg. Two and a half tons that can easily run a lot of miles.
To be able to support so much performance, the developers have defined their own setup. The air suspension is not an optional feature; it comes standard, and owing to the many driving programs, it is possible to change the overall behavior little, but noticeably. Body roll is greatly decreased in Sport mode, allowing for an unsuitable agility for these weights and volumes.
I don’t want to call it a sports vehicle since it isn’t, but it does move rather well.
Obviously, the Touareg R has a lot of power because it can and wants to. We’ll see the most gain in acceleration, where we’ll be able to leave many of the compacts behind that only stand up to the bare minimum. Despite this, because it is a plug-in hybrid, it must also be considered in terms of efficiency. Volkswagen has two electric driving modes: eDrive (all-electric) and Hybrid. The engines are integrated in the latter to provide an ideal mix of performance and cost savings.
Furthermore, it is possible to conserve or even charge the battery while driving, however it should be noted that overall consumption will increase. It is not at all discreet to consume anything when everything is spoken in passing. Despite official numbers claiming an average cost of 2.8 liters per 100 kilometers, the fact is that the average cost has stayed unchanged at 10.3 liters per 100 kilometers after more than a thousand kilometers driven. Official data is not available.
Despite this, I don’t think it’s a horrible consumption number when you consider the overall weight and strength. I recharged a total of two times during my experiments.
Recharges that have gone off without a hitch and allowed the full battery to be recharged in two and a half hours using a 7.4 kW connection. In a domestic plug, the period is increased to 8 hours and 45 minutes, allowing for a more cost-effective recharging at night.
I doubt there are many individuals who gaze at the Volkswagen Touareg R with little eyes. Yes, that is true in terms of aesthetics. When configured as the test unit, it’s a very striking SUV. When you start thinking about other figures who aren’t as joyful, the infatuation fades. Without a doubt, the pricing is its major flaw. It influences the overall experience, yet we don’t include it in our final rankings at Motor.es since we believe that everyone invests their euros in whatever they choose.
Keyword: Volkswagen Touareg R, Most Expensive Product Tested