Volkswagen Touareg R PHEV locked in for Australia in 2022
Volkswagen will swap V8 power for plug-in hybrid electric propulsion for its Touareg large SUV with the imminent arrival of the Touareg R PHEV.
The German brand has confirmed it will sell its first rechargeable car in Australia – the Touareg R PHEV – late in 2022.
It will effectively replace the diesel-powered V8 that was recently discontinued, bringing a new eco-friendly alternative to the top-end of the Touareg lineup.
The Volkswagen Touareg R PHEV uses a 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol engine teamed with a 100kW/400Nm electric motor.
The combined output is 340kW and 700Nm – more than many fancied performance cars – which is enough to launch the five-seat SUV to 100km/h in as little as 5.1 seconds. It’s the same drivetrain used in the Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid and Bentley Bentayga Hybrid (Porsche and Bentley are part of the Volkswagen Group).
A lithium-ion battery with 14.3kWh of usable capacity provides up to 47km of range on the WLTP cycle. It also reduces luggage capacity from 810 litres to 665L.
Charging is AC only at up to 7.2kW with a wallbox, enough for a full charge in 2.5 hours, or closer to six hours from a home powerpoint.
The Touareg R can operate in EV mode at up to 135km/h.
Its tow capacity is 3500kg, matching the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser and Land Rover Discovery.
“The Aussie appetite for the biggest and best Volkswagens combined with the overdue recognition on the part of government that Australians deserve the best quality petrol, and the progressive policies of NSW, all helped make the business case,” said Volkswagen Australia’s General Manager of Passenger Vehicle Marketing Ralph Beckmann.
As well as the benefits of being able to drive purely on electricity – or as a hybrid sipping less fuel – Volkswagen says the imminent arrival of the Touareg R PHEV will bolster the R performance sub-brand.
“Having two R [badged] SUVs – Tiguan and Touareg – and an R crossover in the T-Roc in addition to the greatly enhanced Mark 8 Golf Rs, will give Volkswagen a performance portfolio unapproached by its market rivals,” said Beckmann.
No word on pricing, although it’s expected to hover around the same level as the Touareg V8, which started at $136,490 plus on-road costs.
As for pure EVs, they’re still on Volkswagen’s radar for Australia, but nothing is confirmed yet.
A spokesperson told Skoda was working hard on the Enyaq and Volkswagen on the ID.4.
“All the [Volkswagen] Group brands are hard at work on EVs at the moment,” the spokesperson said.
