Beijing show: Volkswagen's updated Touareg surfaces

VOLKSWAGEN will debut its updated Touareg SUV at the Beijing auto show next week, revealing subtle styling changes and improved safety and infotainment.

The high-riding crossover gets a restyled front end, with a larger, more prominent grille that replaces the two-fin design with four, bigger headlights that connect with the grille as well as a new front bumper that forms an “A” shape around the lower air intakes.

All variants gain bi-Xenon headlights as standard, while at the rear, the Touareg gains a restyled bumper, diffuser and Volkswagen badge. The LED rear fog-lights have been relocated to the bumper.

An optional Chrome and Style package adds a wraparound chrome strip in the rear bumper.

Other exterior changes include new alloy wheel designs and the addition of five new body colours to the range - "Light Silver Metallic", "Sand Gold Metallic", "Moonlight Blue Metallic", "Black Oak Brown Metallic" and "Reef Blue Metallic”.

In the cabin, Volkswagen has changed the rotary knobs and a number of the controls have shifted location, while the colour for the illuminated controls has changed from red to white. There is now a greater choice of leather upholstery colours, new wood accents and more chrome throughout the cabin.

A number of online services have been added, including the availability of Google Earth and Street View to the European-spec models, and the adaptive cruise control has also been tweaked.

A post-collision braking system that warns vehicles travelling behind of an accident is standard on all diesel models and a fuel-saving coasting function is also standard.

Volkswagen says that the aerodynamic improvements to the Touareg have meant a six per cent drop in fuel use for the 150kW/400 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, which currently consumes 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres on the Australian combined cycle.

While details of the Australian-spec Touareg are scarce, Volkswagen Group Australia general manager of communications Karl Gehling said to expect the updated SUV in local showrooms at some stage next year.

The current Touareg line-up in Australia is a diesel-only proposition and ranges in price from $63,990 for the base 150 TDI and climbs to $114,990 for the hardcore V8 TDI R-Line.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen has revealed a mid-life update for its Jetta mid-sizer at the New York motor show this week, revealing similarly subtle changes as the Touareg.

Also scheduled for a 2015 Australian debut, the facelifted Jetta gains a restyled front-end with optional bi-Xenon headlights, while the boot-lid, tail-lights and bumper has been updated at the rear.

A new multi-function steering wheel, chrome tubes surrounding the dash gauges, ambient lighting and new trim choices round out the changes to the interior.

Safety systems such as blind-spot warning, cross traffic alert and a frontal collision alert are also available in the updated Jetta range.

Mr Gehling ruled out introducing the hybrid Jetta that is available in the US, adding that Volkswagen's current line-up of efficient diesel and petrol engines offer excellent fuel economy and good value for money.