VOLKSWAGEN has confirmed its first vehicle capable of running on battery power – the Touareg R – has been approved for sale in Australia, and is scheduled to arrive toward the end of 2022.
The Plug-in Hybrid EV, whose combined electric motor and turbo petrol V6 delivers performance comparable to the now discontinued Touareg V8 turbo diesel, will also be the fifth R performance model to join Volkswagen’s local line-up next year.
The Touareg R will follow the Golf R, Golf R Wagon, Tiguan R (all due in late quarter one) and the T-Roc R (quarter three).
Unlike these, which run high performance versions of Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo petrol engine, the luxury/performance SUV runs a 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine paired to a 100kW/400Nm electric motor.
The combination develops a combined 700Nm and 340kW – the latter figure representing more power than any production Volkswagen. Drive goes to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This enables a 5.1-second sprint from zero to 100km/h – barely behind the Tiguan R and T-Roc R. Power for the electric component of the Touareg R’s drivetrain is supplied by a 14.3kWh lithium-ion battery mounted beneath the boot floor.
A genuine self-charging hybrid, it can be charged either on the run using the combustion engine as a generator or via plug-in means at up to 7.2kW on an AC wall box, or 10A domestic power point, for a full charge in 2.5 hours.
An electric range of some 47km is possible. At a possible 135km/h, the top speed in electric mode is considerably greater than Australia’s legal limit. Towing weight is 3500kg.
Further Touareg R details will be announced next month along with the entire 2022 R range.
