Volkswagen has released images of its Touareg R50 ahead of the SUV’s Australian Motor Show debut. Continuing with the R-series performance treatment — such as with the Golf R32 and the new Passat R36 — VW hails the Touareg R50 as “one of the most powerful SUVs in the world.”
The Touareg R50 is based on the Touareg V10 TDi but sees a significant boost in output over the TDi’s 313 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Power for the R50 is rated at 350 horsepower and an asphalt-shredding 627 lb-ft of torque. That added grunt is good for a 0-60 time of just 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 146 mph.
In addition to the boost in power, the R50 will also sport 21 inch wheels — which hide blue-painted brake calipers — a revised front clip, side skirts and wider fender flares. To keep the added speed under control, VW has also equipped the R50 with an upgraded suspension. The SUV’s interior is sprinkled with the R50 logo, including on the headrests of the nappa leather seats and its stainless steel tread plates.
The Touareg R50 is set to go on sale in Germany this November with prices starting at €88,260.
10/04, 1:28 PM
posted by:
MY Si
1st Comment! WHOO
10/04, 1:28 PM
posted by:
MY Si
hey i like this thing.
10/04, 1:34 PM
posted by:
LP640
3rd comment ha ha i dont like the large rims but it would look good in black
10/04, 1:36 PM
posted by:
MY Si
4th Comment! YAY- hey this is like the R36 Passat wagon! I wonder what else VW is going to “R”
10/04, 1:38 PM
posted by:
Aston Martin
It’s having a bad-taste contest with the Cayenne Turbo. I still think the Porsche is more vulgar. If you got one of these in bright pink, with chrome 28″ inch rims and blacked out windows, then slammed down the ground clearance it would still do the trick though.
10/04, 1:40 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
5th comment!
How many seats?
Of course, it’s “one of the most powerful SUVs in the world,”
If its not the least-powerful, it can make that claim.
don’t bu unjustifiably impressed
10/04, 1:43 PM
posted by:
MY Si
jjt. asston beat you to the punch.
10/04, 1:53 PM
posted by:
jamaicandude
The regular TD boasts 533 lb-ft, and this one will have a “generous increase” on top of that? That’s all I need to hear, really… until I hear the price. I know I say it all the time, but diesels are cool.
10/04, 2:41 PM
posted by:
Vipallica
Is there someone who needs this? Why do we need that much power in a SUV? It’s to heavy and it’s just stupid-.-.
10/04, 3:10 PM
posted by:
(V)ike
This is going to Rock. I hope BMW takes note and makes an M X6 or similar.
Torque monsters are the best!
10/04, 3:11 PM
posted by:
(V)ike
Vipallica – I do. I want the space of an SUV but the performance of a sports car.
10/04, 3:15 PM
posted by:
Aston Martin
^^ That’s just impossible. It’s all about balance between the two. you can have a good compromise, but not everything.
10/04, 3:49 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
They need to make an R-line verion of the Eos, and quit fooling around with this SUV nonsense.
10/04, 4:05 PM
posted by:
Skeeter
Destined to sell like the phaeton. Too bad; that was actually a nice car.
10/04, 6:07 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Skeeter: A great car nobody bought.
10/04, 7:19 PM
posted by:
A4
drooooooooooooooooooooooooool i love you volkswagen, give it to the US or die
10/04, 7:47 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Too bad about VW’s reliability problems…
10/05, 9:15 AM
posted by:
The Stig
The 4.2L TDI is a superior engine design.
10/05, 9:53 AM
posted by:
Get Real
1c3d0g got it right.
VW will never sell more of these without getting the parts to work correctly.
Go to “Rag” (their word) websites and read horror stories.
10/05, 9:56 AM
posted by:
55amg
i need this
10/05, 10:03 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
I know know VW’s secret plan to become the world’s number one carmaker:
……. Build useless unreliable bland pieces of crap that no one wants.
Ganz klug, diese verdammten deutschen Besserwisser!
10/06, 10:46 AM
posted by:
Ian
kinda reminds me of the new golf on some SERIOUS performance enhancing drugs
10/09, 3:51 PM
posted by:
Htay5500
this diesel engine is nice, but again reliability & quality w/ VW leaves a lot left to be desired.
10/09, 3:53 PM
posted by:
savedsol
They’ll build this but not a GX3… brilliant.
10/09, 4:15 PM
posted by:
futurezero
One of the most powerful SUV’s in the world? Talk about warping semantics in your favor. What kind of “power” are they referring to? Sports oriented performance or towing ability? Sure it’s got a lot of torque but if they are claiming sports-oriented performance, the damn Chevy Trailblazer SS or Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 could hand it to this thing. I’m not even mentioning putting this thing against the Cayenne Turbo or MB ML63 AMG because it would be like shooting a retard in a kiddie pool at that point.
VW, I love your determination but please stick to smaller cars and strive to make them more reliable. Leave the VAG performance research and development to Audi.
10/09, 4:35 PM
posted by:
Jazz
627 lb-ft of torque and only 6.7 0-60 ?
Should be in the 5 sec range with those numbers.
10/09, 6:06 PM
posted by:
DJ_Quaaludes
Volkswagen (Like BMW) is notorious for underrating its performance numbers. I would peg the 0-60 somewhere around 6.0, maybe less.
10/09, 6:21 PM
posted by:
sik59rt
R36 Passatt?? never heard bout that
10/09, 7:14 PM
posted by:
400horseSS
i like it
10/09, 7:34 PM
posted by:
Spingood Tanoya
An “asphalt-shredding” SUV. Why stop there?
I want the acceleration of a Viper, the cornering capability of an Elise, the carrying capacity of a Suburban, the looks of a Ferrari, the fuel economy of a Prius, and the reliability of a Corolla. First company to do that for under $25K gets my business.
And I want a pony and a built-in chocolate fountain too.
10/10, 1:46 AM
posted by:
Aston Martin
I want something that’ll go round the Nurburgring in 8 minutes, cross the Sahara desert, go to the North Pole and conquer the rainforest. I also want space for eight and enough room to carry their luggage as well. I want it to be beautiful like the best Aston Martins. And did I mention it must be a convertable?
10/10, 2:25 AM
posted by:
A4
theres an R36 passat, just not coming to our shores.
10/10, 6:51 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Comment by DJ_Quaaludes:
…… Volkswagen (Like BMW) is notorious for underrating its performance numbers.
AND overrating their mileage numbers.
10/10, 7:36 AM
posted by:
55amg
not as powerful as i thought it was going to be
10/10, 7:42 AM
posted by:
e46Ne90
maybe the increase weight here doesn’t help with performance figure
10/10, 10:41 AM
posted by:
Jazz
627lb- of torgue should have no problems moving 4500- 5000 lbs
10/10, 5:17 PM
posted by:
isellmazdas
are you serious??? if it’s 88,000 euros then it’s like $150,000 US dollars. and i can’t imagine spending over $75,000 for anything that does 0-60 in 6.7.
i almost think i didn’t read that right. 350hp and 627lb.ft. and it does what to sixty? it does what top speed?
the R50 deserves a big FRRRRRRPPPP!!!
10/11, 9:17 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
So is it official now at VW that every car must look like a GTI?