Beijing show: Volkswagen readies new-gen Touareg

VOLKSWAGEN is putting its new-generation Touareg through its final paces ahead of its full reveal at the Beijing motor show in March, conducting off-road testing in the Spanish town of Saragossa.

Shown with minimal camouflage to the front and rear end of the large SUV, the third iteration of the Touareg looks to evolve rather than revolutionise styling of the crossover.

Sharper body lines and a deeper door scallop are featured, while it also appears head- and tail-lights have been slimmed down to give the large five-seater a more svelte look.

Integrated roof rails, chrome highlights along the side window frame and a subtle roof-mounted rear spoiler can also be glimpsed from the pictures.

To be built on the Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous MLB platform – that also underpins the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne – the Touareg also gains rear axle steering for the first time in the model.

Turning the rear wheels complementarily to the front at low speeds mean increased manoeuvrability and a reduced turning circle from 12.20 to 11.13 metres when compared with the outgoing Touareg.

New separated stabilisers are also featured on the front and rear axles, which can reduce lateral tilt in the Touareg “to almost zero”, according to Volkswagen, and gift the SUV “steering around extremely narrow bends, almost like a Golf”.

Different drive modes will be offered, with drivers able to select between settings including comfort and sport.

Inside, Volkswagen has updated the cabin with a mix of high-gloss and matte finishes, with the dashboard appearing to borrow the horizontally-themed motif from the Passat.

An all-digital instrument display will feature, which will seamlessly join with the central infotainment unit that also handles navigation and climate controls. One display will measure 12 inches, while the other will be a 15-inch unit, although Volkswagen has yet to divulge which is which.

While audio controls will be integrated into the touchscreen, there will be a separate analogue volume control knob.

Having already conducted cold and hot weather testing, the Touareg will have covered more than three million kilometres in the lead up to its Australian on-sale date in early 2019.