Filed under: SUVs, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia
Volkswagen Touareg R50 takes on Porsche's Cayenne
Volkswagen is taking its R-series of hopped-up rides to the next extreme with the release of the Touareg R50 next week at the Australian International Motor Show. V-Dub claims that the R50 will be one of the most powerful SUVs on the market, producing a "generous" increase in power over the 313 HP and 553 lb.-ft. of torque from its retuned V10 TDI. The R-treatment also includes upgraded wheels wrapped in high performance rubber, a revised suspension, some VW Individual aero bits and a restyled interior.
VW's scant press release is posted after the jump, and expect more to follow once the AIMS gets underway next week.
PRESS RELEASE
In another world premiere for the Australian International Motor Show, Volkswagen has announced it will unveil its new Touareg R50 in Sydney next week (11 October). Developed by a team of specialists at Volkswagen Individual GmbH, the Touareg R50 is one of the most powerful SUVs in the world. While Volkswagen has yet to announce detailed specifications, it promises the R50 boasts "generous" increases on the 230kW of power and 750Nm of torque produced by the current V10 TDi model on which it is based. Bigger wheels and tyres and tweaked suspension complete the high-performance package. Volkswagen Individual GmbH has also designed new exterior and interior features to reflect the R philosophy.
The R50 is the third model to appear under Volkswagen's sporty R label, following in the footsteps of the Golf R32 and the new Passat R36 - which was launched last month at the Frankfurt motor show. All three models have 4MOTION all-wheel drive to guarantee optimal traction.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brad 6:23AM (10/04/2007)
Thats bad ass!
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iPhoneResidentObssesive 6:41AM (10/04/2007)
313 hp=most powerful?
audi q7=350hp
mbgl450=319hp
porsche cayenne turbos and v8s=300-500 hp
escalade=400 hp
yukon denali=366 hp
etc. etc.
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RBW 6:58AM (10/04/2007)
Yes, most powerful.
"553 lb.-ft. of torque"
Nick 9:18AM (10/04/2007)
Horsepower is how fast you're going when you hit the wall; Torque is how far you drag it afterwards.
Nothing an ECU reflash couldn't fix if you wanted better HP numbers.... But this puppy will haul butt on the low end.
Neil 1:31PM (10/04/2007)
"producing a "generous" increase in power over the 313 HP and 553 lb.-ft. of torque from its retuned V10 TDI."
It says an increase over what the engine is doing now.....so they haven't stated how much power the engine will actually make once the SUV comes out.
Peter 2:41PM (10/04/2007)
What' s the point.... It's still a VW no matter what you do to it. Nobody in the right mind will buy this.
Malcolm Keith Rawson 9:20AM (10/05/2007)
313 hp and 553 tq are the stock numbers. Th R50 will be higher. The Audi and Porsche are already built side by side in the same plant using the same platform.
Brad Allenick 7:07AM (10/04/2007)
...I bet it won't beat the 'old' 2005-2007 V10 TDI Touraeg!
But really, that body kit is awesome and I love how its got the blue calipers, like the R32. I only wish it would come stateside.
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geo.stewart 8:30AM (10/04/2007)
1) wouldnt necessarily assume it wont come stateside
2) I agree. I think it looks better than the Cayenne.
interior may not be as rich, but exterior is definitely nicer.
Mike 7:19AM (10/04/2007)
Why would VW try and compete against Porsche? Isn't that taking money out of your own pocket?
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Chase 8:13AM (10/04/2007)
Porsche and VW have a funny relationship. Porsche technically owns a big part of VW, and the rest of VW doesn't like that. -- Just to point it out though, this R50 hits a different market than the Cayenne. The Cayanne is for people who want to look wealthy, and the VW is for people who don't but want a nice toy still.
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Larry 8:15AM (10/04/2007)
Aren't they the same car anyway?
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CoffeeJones 11:19AM (10/04/2007)
That's like saying the VW Phaeton, Audi A8 and Bentley Continental GT are the same cars.
Bill 12:48PM (10/04/2007)
"That's like saying the VW Phaeton, Audi A8 and Bentley Continental GT are the same cars. "
.... well, they are. More so the Phaeton and the Continental Flying Spur... but the A8 is quite similar as well. All three use the same engine 6.0 W12, in the Bentley it has twin turbos... the continental and the phaeton share a chassis, all wheel drive system, air suspension, and pretty much everything else except for interior accommodations.
Habibus 8:17AM (10/04/2007)
Why is VW going after Porsche, shouldn't that be Audi's job? VW needs to get their act together. Are they the less expensive brand to Audi, or are they competing with Audi? They should really make up their mind. The car looks like a big R32.
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Yankee 8:36AM (10/04/2007)
Despite the relationship between Porsche and VW, this still strikes me as silly. The Cayenne and Toureg are basically the same - this would be a bit like the Mercury Grand Marquis "taking on" the Ford Crown Victoria.
What about BMW? What about Mercedes? Why not "take" THEM on? Why is VW supposedly taking on one of its own subsidiaries? That's sure some strange relationship alright.
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Alex 8:50AM (10/04/2007)
Umm... settle down people. AutoBlog is making the "Touareg vs. Cayenne" statement. VW's press release makes no mention of targeted competition.
VW is building up their R series of cars. R32, R36, and now the R50. I'm sure you'll see an R Jetta at some point but that's not going to be built to take on the S4. A R version of the EOS may come out, but thats not going to take on the A4 Cabriolet or Boxster.
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Jeff 8:59AM (10/04/2007)
Amen !
MrBill 9:25AM (10/04/2007)
I think you guys missread the press release.
It will be a "generous increase" over the current 313hp and 553 lb.-ft.
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dean 1:58AM (10/12/2007)
Good catch, MrBill. I suppose Autoblog should be correcting their post pretty soon.
Yeah I thought when I read the blog that those hp/tq numbers sounded a lot like the original V10 tdi numbers.
With 10 cylinders on hand, a simple air intake/exhaust tweaking for better flow and a change to the computer would result in an easy 30+ hp gain and 60+ tq gain. Pour a little bit more money in for better injectors, VW would get a much better gain. I don't know if its a twin-turbo setup yet, but messing around with the turbos would be cool too.