DRIVING: Volkswagen Touareg R-Line: What is it like and what to put in the configuration? – Podkapotou.sk

Volkswagen Tuareg R-Line
Source: Jozef Murárik Are you already tapping your forehead? Why do we have the first ride on the Touareg until now? It’s very simple. In its third generation, the Volkswagen Touareg avoided bathing more than a cat in our editorial office. But finally the opportunity arose and one of us could try this, let’s say, really top model of the Volkswagen car company on our own skin. The offer of what the Touareg has under the hood is the combination of the device and the logo on the hood is quite surprising. After all, it can work with a three-liter V6 engine and an 8-speed hydrodynamic converter, which reminds us that this configuration has more in common with the vehicles of the unnamed four-ring brand than with other Volkswagens. The four-wheel drive itself speaks of the same. The third generation Touareg has certainly undergone several partial improvements over the first few years on the market. Now it can be said that it is a very well built car with early mistakes that cannot be avoided and it is a vehicle with surprising driving characteristics and maximum comfort. Volkswagen Tuareg R-Line Source: Jozef Murárik We’re probably not going to play sports here, because even the three-liter has quite moderate performance. It reaches 170 kW, which is 231 hp. However, much more interesting is the torque peaking at 500 Nm in the range of 1500 to 3000 revolutions. This is a guarantee that the Touareg can demonstrate decent acceleration in any spectrum and in any situation, despite the lower power. If this power is not enough, it is possible to reach for a diesel with a power of up to 210 kW (286 hp). And the highlight is the Touareg R with PHEV and 340 kW (462 hp). But the fundamental question is how the Touareg can cope with really significant competition in the form of the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE and also, basically, the sister Audi Q7. It plays on inconspicuousness and manages to attract the attention of the uninitiated. It’s still a Volkswagen and they’re cheap, right? It looks that way, compared to the competition, Volkswagen is really a cheaper alternative with very pleasant driving characteristics and very good workmanship. After all, the basic price starts at 61,790 euros, and the piece that we tried, with really extensive equipment, specifically with night vision or ventilated seats, is for 87,000 euros. How much would you get a similar piece from Munich, Stuttgart or Ingolstadt? There is probably no need to argue about the fact that the Touareg is a huge car. It is still a representative of the upper middle class and specifically the SUV section. This is also matched by the interior space, where everyone will have enough space even if 5 seats are needed. Here, however, traditionally, the shape of the rear seats leaves it in the middle on a raised post. Unlike some of its other competitors, the Touareg can’t seat seven, but makes up for it with a really massive 5-passenger boot, which has a base volume of 810 litres. Volkswagen Tuareg R-Line Source: Jozef Murárik The driver’s compartment shows that high demands were placed on the production and design of this car and the design is of very high quality. The really huge central touch screen looks interesting, which complements the slightly smaller screen in front of the driver and also the nicely processed head-up display. So many displays are really enough, and actually all the important functions of the Touareg are controlled by the central or control elements on the steering wheel. The system that the automaker used for this model is different from all other vehicles with the Volkswagen logo. Here, too, the technical kinship with the car manufacturer from Ingolstadt can be seen. The same is true of the chassis, which has air suspension with the possibility of adjusting the ground clearance and suspension characteristics. However, for the Touareg, even if it has the sporty-looking R-line equipment, it is suitable to set it to maximum comfort. It can handle driving in corners, but the slightly larger weight of the model shows in them. So what is the optimal configuration of the Touareg? The 170 kW (231 hp) engine is surprisingly enough. More power can be beneficial in certain situations, but it can also be driven with reasonable consumption, because the tables show a value of 7 liters in the combined cycle, which is the same as with the more powerful version of the engine. Volkswagen Tuareg R-Line Source: Jozef Murárik A much more difficult decision is in the case of equipment. On the one hand, the R-line with black on black on black specification looks mysterious and gangster, but the Touareg also suits the luxury specification with large silver wheels, blue bold metallic and pale leather interior. In such a case of configuration, a lot of chrome accessories can resemble a yacht on wheels, which also suits the Touareg. However, do not forget, in any case, the ventilated seats and the heated steering wheel. One additional item will be a plus in winter, one in summer. At night, however, night vision will certainly come in handy with a projection on the display in front of the driver instead of the on-board computer data. One of the advantages of the Touareg is the great interest in the model even on the used vehicle market, which results in an easier sale than, for example, with the competing Jaguar F-Pace. However, for the duration of ownership, it will provide the owner with a comfortable refuge in the jungle of road traffic. Comfortable not only in the chassis, but also in the seats and ease of control, despite the sportier appearance of the R-line equipment.