If you wanted to see the all-new VW Touareg in its finished state, breaking into the design studio is one option. Another option would’ve been to be out in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Europe at 4am last night: That’s where we’ve snagged these photos of a showroom ready, 2011 Volkswagen Touareg.
As it turns out, styling-wise, this new Touareg is not a huge departure from the current model. While the front end has several modest styling tweaks, the biggest change we see are the LED-adorned headlights, although it’s worth noting that the engineers are still disguising the head lamps. There’s a transparent wrap over the lamps, which are further obscured by one of the neatest paint-color tape jobs we’ve seen. Overall this new Touareg looks smaller and a bit less tough than the out-going model.
Another big bit of news we hear is that this new Touareg will go on a crash diet and may be as much as 500-600 pounds lighter. This should certainly help the Touareg’s less-than-stellar fuel economy and improve handling. Along with its weight loss, we’re also hearing the chassis has in fact been lengthened by a few inches for a more roomy interior and an optional 3rd row of seats. Though we expect the third row will probably amount to jump seats that fold flat.
The VW SUV will continue to share a chassis with the next generation Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. Powertains should include updated versions of the 3.6L V6 and 4.2L V8 gasoline motors along with one, or two, turbo diesel offerings. VW also hinted at a Hybrid Touareg at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The Hybrid Touareg should sport a 3.0L supercharged V6 along with an electric motor that will sit between the transmission and the V6. The supercharged V6 is the same motor found in Audi’s new S4 and A6.
Our sources tell us the Touareg will be cheaper this time around. This probably means VW will strip out some of the luxury items and options from the lower end trims. Watch for the new Touareg to start production in March or April of 2010 at the Bratislava, Slovakia plant. Expect the 2011 Touareg to make its world debut at January’s Detroit Auto Show.
11/24, 11:17 AM
posted by:
bigp
well lets see if the have anymore plans for this suv, it will not beat anything ford can make. the tdi will be nice. not very different from the current..
11/24, 11:29 AM
posted by:
nickkop
awww mannn… i hope i an am not so disappointed when i see one in person…
love the current touareg esp. the V6 TDI and V10 TDI models
i am not liking these styling changes…. it looks…. pussified… CUV-ized
lowered ride height, narrower track, smaller and narrower wheels… aaaahhhh
they already have a tiguan!!
11/24, 11:47 AM
posted by:
IIL
Looks just like an updated touareg.. nothing too nice
11/24, 11:53 AM
posted by:
Zesty Honda
Can you say Porsche Cayenne!
11/24, 12:36 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
The people have gone to great lengths to camo this thing up…I just noticed that the rear lights are FAKE! Something is off with the front light area too. I will wait till it officially comes out…
11/24, 12:46 PM
posted by:
bcjohnso99
Design looks 5 years old and it hasn’t hit the market yet. Needed more than a new grill and lights.
11/24, 1:11 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
I think I like it better with camo
11/24, 1:13 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
idrino is right.. the inner taillights are covering up something a little less blocky.. and with the new headlights, there is no way that carryover grille will continue on the actual production model. But the biggest disappointment is the overall body styling.. if there have been any changes made, they are along the lines of the Mk6 Golf.. this is not an all-new model.
11/24, 2:09 PM
posted by:
nickkop
idrinorbarsaku++
11/24, 2:11 PM
posted by:
nickkop
i was thinking the same thing.. but then the article said this was infact the production model, so i thought i might be wrong; it seems that, in fact, the author of the article is wrong…
11/24, 3:51 PM
posted by:
A.J.
Yes, a lot of the design bits are actually camo…the rear lights are especially fake.
11/24, 4:33 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’m really hoping the new Grand Cherokee is as stunning in production as the concepts would indicate because just about everything else we’re seeing in this class seems to be a step backwards.
11/24, 7:48 PM
posted by:
DrFill
At least it won’t be such a load for a small mid-sized crossover
It’s going to have a salad
Enjoy!
DrFill
11/24, 8:30 PM
posted by:
NickelDime
Where is the breakthrough here? To my mind, the interior was the big differentiator for this car when it came out. The styling was typical VW. Many mid-size SUVs have stepped up their game on interior (including most of the American marques).
Unless there is a technical breakthrough, there doesn’t seem to be anything compelling about this vehicle.
11/25, 3:43 AM
posted by:
A4
What the hell? It’s like the fat chick that goes to the gym every day for the last 3 years but guess what… she looks the same, and just thinks she’s hotter.
11/25, 4:02 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for the VW Group
Wonderful. This classy SUV will mutilate the remains of the BMW X5 when it is released.
VW. A European Invasion.
11/25, 10:27 AM
posted by:
zeegone
The first ones looked really cool, this is a small improvement but it’s kind of hard to see the big difference. Wish they weren’t all such lemons though I might have considered buying one
11/26, 12:57 AM
posted by:
jzcarguy
Well done VW! I really hope that this will be the first 3rd row vehicle to break the 30mpg hwy mark! It might be a stretch, but put the 3.0 tdi in this lightened body, it might have a shot. Making the car bigger and still loosing weight – hmm… must be the German engineering. or use of more plastic…