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Powerful engine: V10 TDI develops 350 PS and 850 Newton-meter of
torque
Powerful concept: Unique and exclusive features from Volkswagen
Individual
Wolfsburg / Sydney, October 2007. In a world premiere,
Volkswagen is presenting the new Touareg R50 at the Australian International
Motor Show. Serving up a powerful 258 kW / 350 PS (at 3,500 rpm), this new
Volkswagen is one of the most powerful SUVs in the world. It was developed by a
team of specialists at Volkswagen Individual GmbH. After the legendary Golf R32
and the Passat R36 – recently shown in Frankfurt at the IAA 2007 – Volkswagen is
now presenting its third model under the sporty “R” label, the Touareg R50. All
three models have 4MOTION all-wheel drive guaranteeing optimal traction.
The R50 Engine
The excellent driving dynamics of the Touareg R50 are less the result of pure
top acceleration values than of torque levels that are nearly unattainable by
the competition. At just 2,000 rpm the SUV’s ten-cylinder TDI develops a maximum
torque of 850 Newton-meter. This means that every gear and speed range offers
torque-laden power like no other SUV.
The bi-turbo diesel of the Touareg R50 was derived from the familiar V10 TDI
with 230 kW / 313 PS. Adjustments to its bi-turbo charging and modified engine
management made it possible to boost engine power by 28 kW / 37 PS and increase
torque by a considerable 100 Newton-meter. Under these new performance
parameters, the SUV accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds (standard
production SUV: 7.4 seconds). Its top speed is 235 km/h. Compared to similarly
powered petrol engines, the fuel consumption of the ten-cylinder diesel engine
is low: On the motorway consumption is 9.6 litres, and its combined fuel economy
is 12,6 litres. Despite the big plus in performance and torque, the fuel
consumption rates have remained constant.
Overview of R50 Features
Apart from an increase in performance, Volkswagen Indivi¬dual GmbH designed
new exterior and interior features to reflect the R philosophy. From the
outside, the new Touareg R50 is easily recognizable with its 21-inch Omanyt-type
alloy wheels with 295 tyres, blue painted brake callipers, discrete wheel well
flares and independent bumpers. Inside, the features include a sports seat
system in anthracite coloured napa leather with integrated R50 logo in the
headrests.
The dark interior design is a particularly harmonious complement to the
Biscay Blue exterior colour that was specially developed for the Touareg R50.
Blue hues of this type have been typical of power-boosted Volkswagen R models
since the first Golf R32 in 2002. Optional car colours on the Touareg R50 are
Campanella White, Reflex Silver, Black Magic and Atacama Grey.
R50 Exterior Features
As part of its standard worldwide features, the Touareg R50 will be delivered
with a Sport design package in what is known as the R Look. It clearly
highlights the dynamic character of the most powerful European diesel SUV. The
design package for the front includes the radiator grille typical of the R
models in matt chrome with dual chrome fins. The lower radiator air inlet sports
a grille in a honeycomb look. This look is also applied to the screen in front
of the two intercoolers (on the left and right under the headlamps) and the fog
lamp surrounds. Distinctive: The crosspiece of the front spoiler in Reflex
Silver. The front skirt also exhibits an independent design.
Part of the Sport design package are the colour coded wheel well and side
skirt flares as well as flaps – aerodynamic components near the front and rear
axles. The most powerful diesel Touareg is also clearly recognized as an R model
at its rear end. Here it is the colour coded roof edge spoiler, the distinctive
bumper with diffuser in Reflex Silver and oval tailpipes that round up the Sport
design package. In addition, the R50 badge on the tailgate and the radiator
grille draw attention to the Touareg TDI. Also as standard: Tinted rear windows
(65 percent light-absorbing, starting at the pillars) and bi-xenon headlights.
The exclusive standard features also include an air-suspension sports chassis
being introduced for the first time in 2007 on the new Touareg generation. The
driving dynamics package with adaptive roll compensation and a chassis lowered
by twenty millimetres complement the existing Sport mode of the manually or
automatically controlled air suspension with a stiffer spring rate. Important:
In the suspension’s comfort mode, driving comfort remains just as good as on
versions without sports chassis.
R50 Interior Features
The interior of the Touareg – with its timeless clarity and high-end design
from the factory – was further refined and tuned for the R50. Anthracite
coloured napa leather distinguishes the standard sports seating system with R50
logo in the headrests. The logo is also integrated in the stainless steel tread
plates. Working with the sporty character of the Touareg is the light-coloured
engine spin decor of the interior – a metallic ¬structure similar to that
previously used on race cars – as well as metal worked caps for the accelerator
and brake pedals.
An R logo decorates the gearshift lever for the six-speed automatic
transmission (Tiptronic). Standard features of the Touareg R50 also include a
Winter package (including heated seats at outer seating positions in the rear),
the Premium Memory Package (including electrically adjustable seats, steering
column and seatbelt height), a net partition behind the rear seats and a ski
bag.
High-End R50 Safety Features
ABSplus: This is an innovative new system developed by
Volkswagen. The technology shortens the braking distance of the Touareg R50 on
loose surfaces – that is, especially in off-road operation – by up to 20
percent! A clear gain in safety!
Driving dynamics package with roll compensation: The R50 is
equipped with an innovative sport chassis. The so-called Driving Dynamics
Package with roll compensation supplements the already existing Sport mode of
the manually and automatically controlled air suspension by adding a stiffer
spring characteristic. The system counteracts body roll of the car when
cornering by actuating the electronically controlled dampers.
Rear Assist rear-view camera: As an optional feature,
Volks¬wagen is offering a rear-view camera. The wide-angle camera is located on
the tailgate, to the upper right of the license plate. It transmits a real image
to the navigation system display. Even small obstacles are easily recognized in
the area below window visibility limits. To make manoeuvring easier, the display
also shows the vehicle’s path in response to steering inputs.
Overview of the R Models
With the first R model in 2002, the R32 (177 kW / 241 PS) which is based on
the fourth generation best¬selling Golf, Volkswagen already satisfied wishes for
an exclusively equipped top-end Golf with a very impressive powerplant. 14,000
units were sold globally, far more than expected.
This success generated the vision of developing an entire series of R models
for the future – a job well-suited to Volkswagen Individual GmbH. In 2005, the
second version Golf R32 made its debut, equipped with a powerful 184 kW / 250 PS
engine and standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive. The Passat R36 captivates with its
remarkable understatement. The most powerful Passat of all times is driven by a
3.6 litre displacement V6 direct-injection gasoline engine (3.6 FSI) with 220 kW
/ 300 PS.
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