2011 Volkswagen Touareg

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The class changing 2011 Touareg offers three powertrain choices, including Volkswagen's first-ever worldwide use of a hybrid engine. All three engines -- the 3.0L V6 TSI supercharged hybrid, 3.0L V6 TDI clean diesel and 3.6L V6 FSI gasoline -- are mated to Volkswagen's first eight-speed transmission, along with Volkswagen's 4MOTION all wheel drive system.

This article will concentrate on the Touareg model with the 3.6L V6 FSI gasoline engine.

Exterior Changes

The exterior changes to the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg reflect the refinements under the hood. Compared to its predecessor, the 2011 Touareg is wider and has a shorter overall height for a stronger presence. A longer wheelbase and greater length provide more room inside the cabin, while the use of new materials and other adjustments have removed approximately 350 pounds from the vehicle.

At the front is a narrower grille opening that seamlessly connects to the trapezoidal headlight housings that carry U-shaped LED running lights and Bi-Xenon High Intensity Gas-Discharged headlamps. The housings flow into the new fender flares, and a pair of compact fog lamps at the lower portion of the front fascia stand underneath the Touareg's front air intakes.

The hood features a raised portion that runs from the grille back, finishing at the side mirrors and giving a more muscular appearance. A chrome accent strip carries from behind the front wheels, and runs along the bottom of the doors to complement the chrome touches bordering the windows.

The back of the Volkswagen Touareg is defined with pronounced curves around the hatch area, new "L-Design" taillights, and a blacked out lower bumper with a set of shaped, chrome exhaust tips.

Another new design feature in the second generation Touareg is the automatically opening and closing tailgate that can be operated from inside the vehicle, at the tailgate itself or through a remote control on the fully redesigned key fob.

The Volkswagen Touareg will be available in nine different colors including five new colors: Cool Silver Metallic, Flint Gray Metallic, Toffee Brown Metallic and Night Blue Metallic.

The V6 gasoline powertrain will be available in three different trims: "Sport," "Lux" and "Executive." Each trim will come with one of three different wheels. The "Sport" trim will have the 18" Tacora alloy wheels, "Lux" trim will be equipped with 19" Everest wheels and the "Executive" trim will come with 20" Pikes Peak wheels. All Touaregs will come standard with all-season tires.

Volkswagen Touareg: Review (2/2)