Volkswagen unveils facelifted Touareg

Sporting a new 'face', revised rear styling, updated interior and some key technical upgrades, the new model is expected in Australia in the early part of 2007.

As evident from the images, the Touareg has adopted a Passat-like face comprising a chrome-laden grille and elaborately curved headlights. Also new are the bonnet, front guards and bumper-spoiler assembly with in-built fog lights and brake cooling ducts.

The rear end has also been fettled, and is distinguishable from the current model via new tail-lights, bumper and exhaust pipes.

It's not just a cosmetic makeover, as VW has seen fit to upgrade the Touareg's electronic driver aid armoury and powertrains.

Headlining the enhancements is an updated anti-lock braking system dubbed ABSPlus and additional ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Program) features. 

In fact, VW is trumpeting ABSPlus as a world first, and the manufacturer claims this technology shortens braking distance by up to 20 per cent on loose surfaces. 

The ESP system has been bolstered by supplementing the existing safeguards with Active Rollover Protection (ARP), rain brake support, fading brake support and understeer control logic, which lessens the odds of running wide on corners.

The engine line-up will be underpinned by a new 3.6-litre V6 with 206kW -- a significant improvement on the 177kW eked out by the existing 3.2-litre unit.

Diesel powerplant choices will comprise a 128kW 2.5-litre TDI five-cylinder unit with DPF (diesel particulate filter) and a 165kW 3.0-litre V6 TDI with or without DPF. The oil-burning range will be topped by the thumping 230kW 5.0-litre V10 TDI.

All engines will be mated to Volkswagen's six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with sequential shift capability.

As before, the Touareg will come with permanent four-wheel drive, low-range gearing, electronic traction control linked to an auto-locking centre differential, hill start and descent assist, all of which combine to make the vehicle a genuinely capable all terrainer.

It's a timely upgrade for the Touareg, as the existing model has now been on sale in Australia for three years.

Despite its competence, the Touareg's sales local performance has been somewhat underwhelming -- just 310 examples found new homes until the end of August this year, compared with 1721 sales for the Lexus RX and 1702 for the Mercedes M-Class.

Volkswagen Australia officials admit the Touareg has under-performed and aim to remedy this by re-evaluating pricing and spec levels.