Volkswagen will bring new Touareg to India in 2012 (Upcoming Cars)

WHEN: July 2012

HOW MUCH: Rs 60 lakh

ENGINES: 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel, 4.2-litre V8 TDI diesel, 8-speed automatic

COMPETITION: BMW X5, Mercedes ML

The all-new Volkswagen Touareg will come to India in 2012, sources close to autojunction.in jave revealed. The new Touareg is new in every aspect, and boasts of all-new platform which is substantially lighter than the outgoing model, improving performance and fuel efficiency tremendously.

The news is the weight reduction – VW is claiming that the new Touareg is 220 kilos lighter than the model it replaces. Forty-three kilos have been saved in the new suspension itself. The Touareg also benefits from better off-road performance, with higher ground clearance and steeper approach and departure angles. The wheelbase is 40 mm longer as well, which translates into substantially more interior room. However, the new Touareg continues to remain a five-seater like its predecessor. So those looking for seven seats may be disappointed.

The Touareg has new powertrains as well, with a re-tuned version of the previous V6 TDI being carried over as the entry-level engine. There’s a 4.2-litre V8 as well, borrowed from the Q7, and a petrol-electric hybrid, which is unlikely to come to India. The V6 engine will be plenty powerful for most, with 245 PS and 550 Nm, which coupled with the low 2155 kg kerb weight, allows the new Touareg to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7 seconds. The 8-speed automatic gearbox plays a part too. Automatic stop-start has been included on this model as well, which cuts off the engine when coasting and while stop at traffic lights, allowing for better fuel efficiency. According to VW, the Touareg will return a combined figure of 16 kpl, which is truly impressive.

The new Touareg also gets VW’s version of a terrain response system, which allows the driver to adjust various parameters, including the traction control and hill assist, for tedious off-road conditions. For serious mud-pluggers, VW also offers a 4XMotion variant, with beefed-up differentials, low ratio gearbox and a bigger fuel tank. However, it’s unlikely that the company will offer this model in India.

The interiors follow Volkswagen’s clean design philosophy, and most of the switchgear is instantly recognisable as VW family parts. But that’s a good thing, because the German company boasts of some of the highest quality interiors on the market, across any segment.

What the VW Touareg is, is an unpretentious and thoroughly capable off-roader, which also promises to be engaging to drive on the road too. It will undoubtedly be priced lower than the competition, such as the Mercedes ML and BMW’s X5, which makes it altogether even more appealing. We expect this SUV to go on sale in India in the second half of 2012, with prices starting at around the Rs 60 lakh mark for the V6, with the V8 costing about Rs 10 lakh more.