The second generation all-new 2011 Volkswagen 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.

Supercharged Hybrid

As Volkswagen's first production hybrid electric vehicle, the all-new Touareg 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine is paired with an electric motor, which has a nickel metal-hydride battery pack fitted beneath the luggage compartment. The 288 volt battery consists of 240 individual cells and offers an energy density of 1.7 kWh. Both systems are capable of running independently or together and when combined, produce a total of 380 horsepower and 428 lbs.-ft. of torque.

The eight-speed automatic transmission ensures power is always available, while helping the Touareg Hybrid achieve an EPA estimated 25 mpg during highway driving. When the driver releases the gas pedal, the engine will shut off while a special clutch disengages the transmission from the engine, allowing it to "coast" forward emission free without electric or combustion power to further aid in fuel savings. Touareg Hybrid can drive up to 30 mph on pure electric power. The vehicle also includes the Start-Stop system, which automatically stops the engine during idling to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.

Exterior

The 2011 Touareg is wider and has a shorter overall height than its predecessor. 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.

The Touareg will be available in nine different colors: Cool Silver Metallic, Flint Gray Metallic, Toffee Brown Metallic, Night Blue Metallic and Tungsten Silver Metallic (Hybrid only).

The V6 and TDI Clean Diesel powertrains 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. The Hybrid will only come in one trim, with 19" Everest alloy wheels. All Touaregs will come standard with all-season tires.

Engine and Transmission

In addition to the Volkswagen's first Supercharged Touareg Hybrid, the vehicle is also available with a 3.0-liter turbochargedV6 TDI Clean Diesel engine (28 mpg hwy/19 mpg city EPA estimates). A special DeNOx catalytic converter, augmented by a special injection system that sprays a synthetic urea-based solution (AdBlue) into the exhaust, helps reduce Nox emissions by up to 90 percent, and lets the engine meet the Tier 2, Bin 5/ULEV II standards imposed across all 50 U.S. states.

A 3.6-liter V6 FSI gasoline engine comes standard with the 2011 model, offering 23 mpg hwy/16 mpg city EPA estimates, which represents a combined 19 percent improvement over the previous model.

The Touareg's V6 engine will provide the driver a maximum torque of 265 lbs.-ft. at 2,500 to 5,000 rpm while producing 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. The TDI provides an impressive maximum torque of 406 lbs.-ft. at 1,750 to 2,250 rpm while producing 225 horsepower at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm. All models have a towing capacity of 7,700 lbs.

Interior

Volkswagen's new premium RNS850 touch screen radio-navigation system is standard in the new Touareg. It features a large 8-inch screen, with a DVD/CD player that has MP3 playback capabilities and Satellite/FM/AM stereo, along with a 60GB hard drive with 18GB of space available to upload media. Located conveniently in the glovebox is access for iPod® or auxiliary input, SD cards and a DVD drive.

Active and Passive Safety

The 2011 Touareg contains six airbags, including dual front units (dual-stage for the driver, single stage for the front passenger), thorax units for the driver and front passenger and Side Curtain Protection for the front and rear outboard passengers.

For the 2011 Touareg, Volkswagen developed an improved head restraint system. The whiplash-optimized head restraint (WOKS) rear impact protection system uses the contours and foam firmness in the backrest to help reduce relative movements of the torso and combines a patented shape of the head restraint structure to minimize head rotation after contact.    

Roadside Assistance and Warranty

The 2011 Volkswagen Touareg includes 24-hour Roadside Assistance (third party provider) for three years or 36,000 miles, as standard. Meanwhile, limited warranties found standard on all Touareg models are:  

• Five-year/60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty

• Three-year/36,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty

• 12-year unlimited distance Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation

The Touareg, like the full line of 2011 Volkswagen models, is covered by the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this program, all scheduled maintenance is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty - three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.