Vehicle Tests > Strategic re-alignment

While the TDI engine is exceptional there's nothing wrong with the petrol FSI either. FSI is VW/Audi's direct fuel injection system meaning that the petrol is injected directly into the combustion chamber and not into the inlet tract as on conventional EFI systems. This achieves more efficient combustion resulting in more performance and better economy. Figures for the 3.6 litre FSI V6 are 206kW at 6200rpm, 360Nm at 2800rpm and combined ADR fuel consumption of 13.8L/100km. Our highway test average was an indicated 14.2L/100km.
As you would expect the petrol V6 is smoother and quieter than the diesel and it delivers its best performance up high in the rev range where it is sweet and rewarding to drive. But it can't match the TDI for low rpm torque, drivability and economy.

All engines in the Touareg range are backed by a six-speed auto transmission with VW's 4xMotion constant 4WD system that uses an auto-locking computer controlled clutch pack to distribute drive front to rear. The clutch pack can be manually locked by a console dial and is locked when the 2.7:1 low range is selected. A rear differential lock is optional.

Suspension is independent via double wishbones and coil springs. The top-spec V10 gets height and damper adjustable air suspension, which is a $5,490 option on the three lower-spec variants.

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Both the V6TDI and FSI vehicles Overlander drove on the launch rode on the standard coil spring suspension, which we found to be fine when on good sealed roads, but easily unsettled over broken and corrugated roads. On potholed dirt roads the suspension delivered sharp loud bumps through to the cabin and the calibration wasn't suited to these conditions at all. Interestingly, the Audi Q7 rides on a modified version of the platform that is shared by Touareg and Cayenne yet the coil sprung Q7 showed none of these faults over the harsh conditions on the Birdsville track when we drove it there just a month earlier.

The new pricing and engines of the Touareg range should make it more appealing to a wider range of buyers. At $65 to $75K it becomes a serious alternative to the likes of Toyota LandCruiser and Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee for some one who doesn't need the seating capacity and offroad ability of the traditional 4WDs. It also has the Touareg priced below most of its European luxury SUV competition while with its excellent 2.7:1 low range and optional height adjustable suspension, the Touareg is more offroad capable than some of the softer Euro SUVs.

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