First Look: Volkswagen Touareg with Optional Hybrid Engine

The second generation all-new 2011 Volkswagen Touareg combines cutting-edge German design, even more versatility and an array of standard features, all while providing a combination of usability and world-class engineering that drivers and passengers have become familiar with in Volkswagen vehicles.

The class changing 2011 Touareg offers three powertrain choices, including Volkswagen’s first-ever worldwide use of a hybrid engine. All three engines -- the 3.0L V6 TSI® supercharged hybrid, 3.0L V6 TDI® clean diesel and 3.6L V6 FSI® gasoline -- are mated to Volkswagen’s first eight-speed transmission, along with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION® all wheel drive system.

As Volkswagen’s first production hybrid electric vehicle, the all-new Touareg 3.0-liter supercharged, direct injection V6 gasoline engine is paired with a special electric motor that significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions compared to the previous V8 FSI model. The electric motor is paired with a nickel metal-hydride battery pack fitted beneath the luggage compartment. The 288 volt battery consists of 240 individual cells and offers an energy density of 1.7 kWh. Both systems are capable of running independently or together and when combined, produce a total of 380 horsepower and 428 lbs.-ft. of torque. The new supercharged hybrid allows Touareg to offer customers V8 power with better fuel efficiency than a V6 engine.

The eight-speed automatic transmission ensures power is always available, while helping the Touareg Hybrid achieve an EPA estimated* 25 mpg during highway driving. When the driver releases the gas pedal, the engine will shut off while a special clutch disengages the transmission from the engine, allowing it to “coast” forward emission free without electric or combustion power to further aid in fuel savings.

Regenerative breaking also allows the electric motor to recover kinetic energy during coasting and braking to help recharge the nickel metal-hydride battery pack. Touareg Hybrid can drive up to 30 mph on pure electric power.

Another first for the Touareg hybrid is the standard Start-Stop system, which automatically stops the engine during idling, for example while waiting at a red light. In this system, the brake is the control mechanism and when activated, stops the engine. When the brake is released, the engine starts again. This function improves fuel economy and reduces emissions, especially during city driving conditions.

In addition to the Volkswagen’s first Supercharged Touareg Hybrid, the vehicle is also available with a 3.0-liter turbochargedV6 TDI® Clean Diesel engine, which offers class leading fuel economy (28 MPG hwy/19 MPG city EPA estimates), greater power versus a similarly-sized gasoline engine and super-clean 50 state legal emissions. A special DeNOx catalytic converter, augmented by a special injection system that sprays a synthetic urea-based solution (AdBlue) into the exhaust, helps reduce Nox emissions by up to 90 percent, and lets the engine meet the Tier 2, Bin 5/ULEV II standards imposed across all 50 U.S. states.

A 3.6-liter V6 FSI® gasoline engine comes standard with the 2011 model, providing smooth acceleration and all around performance offering 23 MPG hwy/16 MPG city EPA estimates, which represents a combined 19% improvement over the previous model.

All Touareg models now come with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission. 7th and 8th gears are laid out as fuel-efficient overdrive gears. The 8th gear reduces engine speed by 33 percent compared to 6th gear, which reduces fuel consumption and significantly lowers emissions.

The Touareg will continue its tradition of providing superior high-torque performance. The V6 engine will provide the driver a maximum torque of 265 lbs.-ft. at 2,500 to 5,000 rpm while producing 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. The TDI provides an impressive maximum torque of 406 lbs.-ft. at 1,750 to 2,250 rpm while producing 225 horsepower at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm.

The 2011 Touareg contains an impressive number of standard active and passive safety features to help keep the driver and passengers safe. Six airbags, including dual front units (dual-stage for the driver, single stage for the front passenger), thorax units for the driver and front passenger and Side Curtain Protection® for the front and rear outboard passengers, all are standard on the Touareg.

For the 2011 Touareg, Volkswagen developed an improved head restraint system. The whiplash-optimized head restraint (WOKS) rear impact protection system uses the contours and foam firmness in the backrest to help reduce relative movements of the torso and combines a patented shape of the head restraint structure to minimize head rotation after contact.

The Touareg also includes the following safety programs and management systems for a smooth, poised ride through most any situation: Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Auto-Hold and Hill Hold Assist and Volkswagen’s Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC).

Credits: wilswong