Beijing introduces refreshed VW Touareg range.

The redesigned Volkswagen Touareg has made its debut at the Auto China show in Beijing.  With a refreshed styling front and rear, new features and trims and greater efficiency, Volkswagen’s rugged yet refined premium SUV is more competitive than ever.

The front-end design of the Touareg features larger headlights (now bi-xenon as standard across the range), a deeper new radiator grille with four instead of two horizontal fins and a reprofiled bumper, all of which lend the Touareg a wider appearance.

At the rear as at the front, the redesigned bumper lends the Touareg a wider look than before, with a new rear diffuser between the twin tailpipes and LED rear foglights integrated in the bumper.  New door mirror caps, a range of new wheel designs and new paint colours complete the exterior makeover. 

Inside, the Touareg also gets the option of new colours for the standard leather upholstery, new design accents and new lighting.

As well as updated styling, new Touareg models come with updated technology and new safety features. All models will feature an automatic post-collision braking system, bi-xenon headlights and a coasting function on the eight-speed automatic gearbox. This last feature utilises the vehicle’s kinetic energy when driving downhill or when acceleration is not needed. As on existing Volkswagen models with coasting, it can be deactivated temporarily by simply tapping and releasing the brake pedal, or switched off through the vehicle’s systems.

The optional ADC automatic distance control has been enhanced. ADC, which uses a radar sensor integrated into the front of the car to detect distance from the car in front, maintain a preselected speed and automatically brake or accelerate in traffic, now also includes a city emergency braking function, and can automatically pull away in stop-and-go traffic.

To optimise further the Touareg’s fuel efficiency, low rolling resistance tyres are fitted, stop/start a further and battery regeneration systems are standard, and both V6 TDI engines are now EU6 emissions compliant, thanks in part to the use of a new SCR-DPF catalytic converter module which uses AdBlue to reduce emissions.   

The power of the entry-level 3.0-litre V6 TDI remains at 204 PS, while the previous 245 PS unit now offers 258 PS. Fuel efficiency has increased for both models, and emissions correspondingly reduced.  The 204 PS engine now returns a combined cycle 42.8 mpg and 174 g/km of CO₂ (previously 40.4 and 184), while the 258 PS model returns 41.5 and 178, up from 39.9 and down from 189 (provisional data). The V8 diesel and Hybrid models will no longer be offered in the UK.

The revised Touareg is expected to open for ordering in the UK in August, ahead of first deliveries in November. More details will be available at this time.