Volkswagen unveils PHEV Touareg R

VOLKSWAGEN has ripped the covers off its most potent Touareg large SUV variant to date, in the form of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Touareg R, marking the first time a PHEV powertrain has been used in a Volkswagen R model.

However Australian fans need not get their hopes up, as there are no plans to bring the Touareg R Down Under in accordance with Volkswagen Group Australia’s policy to forego PHEV powertrains in favour of full-electric models in coming years.

The Touareg R shares its powertrain with its Volkswagen Group stablemate, the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, consisting of a 250kW 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 mated to a 100kW electric motor with a 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery.

Combined peak power is pegged at 340kW/700Nm, with an eight-speed automatic transmission sending drive to all four wheels, with variable torque distribution and a Torsen locking centre differential.

Operating solely on electric power, the Touareg R can travel at up to 140km/h with around 45km of range, while top speed is limited to 250km/h when the hybrid system is in use.

Drivers can control the level of charge in the battery in Hybrid mode, either letting it drain or using the petrol engine and regenerative braking to recharge the battery.

Along with full electric and hybrid mode, the Touareg R also features the usual comfort, normal, sport and eco and individual drive profiles, as well as off-road and snow modes for the more adventurous.

Maximum braked towing capacity is rated at 3500kg, while the brand claims the Touareg R is the only PHEV SUV with trailer assist, which helps the driver with manoeuvring the trailer in reverse.

Its adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist is also now available at speeds of up to 250km/h after previously being limited to 210km/h.

The Touareg R is differentiated from the rest of the range by its R-style body-coloured bumpers, wheelarches and lower door sections, black air intake grilles and side window strips, 20-inch Braga alloys and trapezoidal tailpipes.

Inside, the Touareg R gains the massive 15.0-inch Innovision Cockpit as standard, to go with a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster, aluminium trim, Vienna leather upholstery with Crystal grey stitching, new leather multifunction steering wheel and brushed aluminium door sills and pedals.

VGA is still yet to confirm whether the potent 310kW/900Nm 4.0-litre turbo-diesel V8 310TDI grade will make it to Australia, however the brand has put its hand up for the meaty oil-burning version.

With a new-generation launch in mid-2019, Volkswagen sold 1116 examples of the Touareg last year, an 18.8 per cent increase on 2018.

In January it moved 99 examples, a significant 153.8 per cent increase on the 39 managed in January 2019.