LA 2008: Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI, 25 mpg highway

Nov 20th 2008 at 5:46PM
Click for a high-res photo gallery of the new Touareg V6 TDI

Volkswagen is showing off the new Touareg V6 TDI at the LA Auto Show before it goes on sale in around March of 2009. The V6 TDI replaces the old V10 TDI in the lineup and uses the same 3.0L V6 diesel that's going into the Audi Q7 TDI. At 221 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque, it should offer plenty of performance while still getting EPA mileage ratings of 17 mpg city/ 25 mpg highway. The city rating is 2 mpg less than the Q7, which VW spokesman Steve Keyes attributes to the Touareg's extra weight. The Q7 uses significantly more aluminum in its structure. With the Touareg's 26.4 galllon tank that should give it a 600-mile range. Given the real-world 29 mpg we got with the Q7 on the Mileage Marathon, 25 mpg in all around driving with the Touareg should be easily attainable. Keyes told ABG that AMCI will be doing some real world mileage testing of the Touareg as they did with the Jetta and those numbers are expected to exceed the EPA sticker values.


[Source: Volkswagen]
Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

press release

VOLKSWAGEN SHOWCASES VARIETY OF DIESEL TECHNOLOGY AT 2008 L.A. AUTO SHOW
LOS ANGELES, Calif.- Volkswagen showcased the breadth of their diesel powered technology during a news conference today at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show. Volkswagen debuted its all-new 50-state compliant Touareg V6 TDI clean diesel SUV along with a purpose-built Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck that will run this years Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.
The Touareg V6 TDI clean diesel is powered by a 3.0L, turbocharged six cylinder engine capable of producing 221 horsepower and an impressive 407 lbs-ft. of torque. Utilizing common rail injection and the most advanced catalytic converter system in the world, it meets the most stringent emission requirements of California and will be available in all 50-states.
The Touareg V6 TDI will define a completely new generation of extremely economical and low emissions SUV's, and reinforces Volkswagen commitment to clean diesel technology as the most sensible alternative fuel vehicle available today.
The Touareg V6 TDI drastically reduces fuel costs with one of the most advanced diesel engines of our times. On the highway it attains an impressive 25 mpg according to EPA ratings, and with a fuel tank capacity of 26.4 gallons it equates to a driving range of more than 600 miles to the tank, all while emitting fewer emissions.
The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck that will run the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race in the SCORE Trophy Truck class is powered by a 5.5 liter V-12 clean diesel engine that produces 550 horsepower and 625 lbs.-ft. of torque.
Staying true to the off-road prowess that the Touareg is best known for, the purpose-built Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck takes the Touareg's off-road tenaciousness to a whole new level. With a double A-Arm front suspension that allows 25 inches of wheel travel, and a 4-link rear suspension that allows 30 inches of wheel travel, combined with Fox Racing Shocks, Eibach Coils and BFGoodrich Baja KRT 37x13.5x17 off-road tires the Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck should have little difficulty maneuvering the highly difficult and technical 634 mile Baja 1000 course.
Chassis design and production was handled by Arciero Miller Racing located in Foothill Ranch, California. The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck features a wheelbase of 125 inches, overall length of 213 inches, width of 92 inches, an overall height of 78 inches and weighs 5650 pounds. The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck Body was designed by the Volkswagen Design Center located in Santa Monica, California.
The Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI is sponsored by Volkswagen of America, Inc., Red Bull, BFGoodrich Tires, Dow Automotive, Oakley, KMC Wheels and Fox Shocks.
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Eos, Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Tiguan and Touareg 2 through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2009 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

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