Volkswagen Touareg V8 flagship priced

Pricing and specs have been announced for an upgraded 2021 Volkswagen Touareg line-up, including the range-topping V8 TDI R-Line version priced at $136,490 plus on-road costs.

The new flagship of the second-generation Volkswagen Touareg range launched here a year ago is powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo diesel V8 found in the Bentley Bentayga.

Fitted with two sequential turbochargers, the bent-eight diesel is good for a whopping 310kW of power and 900Nm of torque – 52kW/50Nm up on last decade’s V10-powered Touareg R50.

Its maker says that’s enough to accelerate the Touareg V8 to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds, almost matching the pace of the much smaller and lighter Golf R hot hatch (4.8sec).

Therefore the 2021 Volkswagen Touareg 310 TDI V8 R-Line will not only be the most expensive model in the German brand’s range, but the quickest and most powerful SUV.

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Touareg’s current 190 TDI engine will be replaced by two new Euro 6 emissions-compliant diesel engines: the 170kW/500Nm 170 TDI or the tuned-up 210kW/600Nm 210 TDI.

According to Volkswagen, the new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesels offer better fuel economy and reduced emissions, thanks to a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system with AdBlue.

Current 190 TDI models consume a claimed 7.4L/100km, while the new 170 TDI and 210 TDI diesels are both claimed to use just 6.8L/100km.

The upgraded Touareg V6s are quick too, with Volkswagen claiming the entry-level 170 TDI matches the acceleration of the Amarok V6 ute and the 210 TDI is as quick as the VW Golf GTI.

As well as a 24-litre AdBlue tank, every variant will get a larger 90-litre fuel tank (up 15 litres). All models are fitted as standard with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

Pricing for the 2021 Touareg range begins at $81,490 plus ORCs for the 170 TDI ($700 more than the previous 190 TDI), while the more powerful 210 TDI can be had in two variants: Elegance ($99,490 plus ORCs) or R-Line ($108,490 plus ORCs).

Standard equipment on new entry-level 170 TDI variants includes LED headlights, daytime running lights (DRLs) and tail-lights, rain-sensing wipers, wireless phone charging, an electric tailgate, 19-inch alloy wheels, electric and heated front seats, Vienna leather-appointed trim and more.

Moving up in the range, the 210 TDI Elegance adds Matrix LED headlights, 20-inch Montero alloy wheels, air suspension, massaging front seats, dynamic indicators, headlight washers and the Innovision multimedia system including 15-inch infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch digital cockpit, head-up display, 30-colour ambient interior lighting and gloss black centre console.

Sportier standard equipment for the Volkswagen Touareg 210 TDI R-Line includes all-wheel steering, active roll stabilisation, R-Line front and rear bumpers, 20-inch Nevada alloys, a heated R-Line steering wheel with shift paddles, stainless steel pedals, black headlining, tinted windows and memory for the front seats, mirrors and steering column.

Safety features standard across the range include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane assist with adaptive lane guidance, travel assist, park assist, driver fatigue warning, front/rear parking sensors, reversing camera and rear cross traffic alert.

Flagship 310 TDI R-Line models get extra equipment including larger 21-inch Suzuka alloy wheels, tyre pressure monitoring and a number of packages that usually need to be optioned, including the Sound and Comfort and Innovision packs.

Also exclusive to the V8 Touareg is Volkswagen’s IQ. DRIVE Night Vision Technology, which works with the Front Assist function when the headlights are on to notify the driver if a person or animal is detected ahead switched on, depending on weather conditions.

Also fresh to the Touareg range is Travel Assist, which is said to allow for “partially automated driving across practically the whole speed range from commuter traffic to freeway speeds”.

A new capacitive-touch steering wheel includes buttons that provide haptic feedback, as well as a Travel Assist button on the steering wheel to activate lane guidance and adaptive cruise control. A single touch on the steering wheel will let the car know the driver has taken back control.

Optional extras for the large SUV include a glass panoramic sunroof ($3000) and metallic or pearl paint ($2100). Entry-level 170 TDI variants can add the Innovision pack for $8000, while the Sound and Comfort package costs the same for non-V8 variants.

Each 2021 Volkswagen Touareg will sport the German car-maker’s new logo – at the front and rear as well as on the wheel centre caps, steering wheel, instrument cluster and key fobs.

The new Touareg range will filter into Australian showrooms from October, starting with the TDI V8 R-Line, while the last Touareg with the current 190 TDI engine will be the Adventure special-edition that arrives in August.

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Touareg cost?
170 TDI – $81,490
210 TDI Elegance – $99,490
210 TDI R-Line – $108,490
310 TDI V8 R-Line – $136,490
* Prices exclude on-road costs