German brand’s flagship SUV gets fresh styling, extra tech and more refinement as part of mid-life update
The facelifted 2024 Volkswagen Touareg has broken cover in Europe and will arrive Down Under in the first quarter of next year brandishing a sharp new look, reworked suspension and plenty of new technology.
New bumpers feature front and rear, complemented by all-new headlight and tail-light clusters, the latter of which now encompasses a full-width lighting strip and even an illuminated red VW logo.
The crisp new exterior styling previews similar changes made within the luxury large SUV’s cabin, where there’s an upgraded Innovation Cockpit comprising a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster and the latest 15.0-inch ‘Discover Pro Max’ touch-screen infotainment system.
Just about every display and or function of the Discover Pro Max system has been enhanced, updated or upgraded, with better voice recognition, lane-level navigation and high-resolution HD map data being just a few notable mentions.
The charging power of the onboard USB-C ports has been upped from 15W to 45W, while the centre console is adorned with softer-touch materials.
Adding to the extra comfort levels is a more refined suspension tune for all variants, but VW is yet to divulge exact what changes it’s made in tandem with the reworked ESC system, which now allows for more spirited driving before intervening and can sense when there’s a load on the roof and adapt accordingly.
Five powertrains will be available in the updated Touareg line-up globally, comprising a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, two 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesels and two plug-in hybrids – including a 340kW system for the long-awaited Touareg R flagship, which is back for 2024 and finally set to come to Australia.
Customers will have the choice of Touareg, Elegance, R-Line and R trim levels, the latter of which pairs its high-performance powertrain with blue R-branded brake callipers, ‘R’ puddle lamps, blue interior accents, Vienna leather trim, illuminated R logos, a panoramic sunroof and four-zone climate control.
Full pricing and specification details of the new range will be announced in the lead-up to its local launch in early 2024, but one of the headline options will be new IQ.LIGHT HD LED Matrix headlights.
Volkswagen management board member for sales, marketing and aftersales Imelda Labbé said the new Touareg has been enhanced in all the right areas and in alignment with customer feedback.
“The result is a true all-rounder that will excite on-road, off-road and naturally also as a first-class towing vehicle,” she said.
All these upgrades, including the new suspension, follow similar advances for the updated Porsche Cayenne, which is hardly surprising given the two models share the same MLB Evo architecture, as do the Audi Q7/Q8, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus.
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Keyword: 2024 Volkswagen Touareg revealed, here early next year