Volkswagen’s multi award-winning Touareg SUV lineup has been expanded with the arrival of a new five-cylinder turbo diesel model called the R5 TDI.

The newcomer joins its brother – the tremendous V10 twin-turbo - to give Volkswagen two diesel variants for the luxurious Touareg.

Priced from only $69,900, the R5 TDI Touareg represents genuine value-for-money when considered against comparable vehicles from rival German and Japanese manufacturers.

Power for the R5 TDI comes from Volkswagen’s 2.5-litre five cylinder turbo-diesel – one of Volkswagen’s latest generation diesels – delivering 400Nm of torque (virtually the same as the 4.2-litre V8 petrol Touareg) and 128kW of power.

Virtually the only way to distinguish the R5 TDI Touareg from the V6 petrol model is the R5 TDI’s unique 5-spoke ‘Canyon’ 17-inch alloy wheels.

Just like the V6, there are two R5 TDI models - the standard (R5 TDI) and luxury (R5 TDI L) variants.

In addition to the R5 TDI’s already comprehensive list of standard features, some of the extras included in the R5 TDI L models are: ‘Cricket’ leather interior with front seats featuring 12-way electronic adjustment plus lumbar support and heating, walnut wood inserts in the dashboard, centre console, doors and gear knob, brushed aluminium trim inserts in the dashboard and doors, coming/leaving home function for the lights, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer jets and an auto-dimming anti-glare rearview mirror.

Since its launch, Volkswagen’s Touareg has garnered a swag of ‘4WD of the Year’ awards including significant ‘gongs’ in North America (Motor Trend and Car & Driver magazines) plus the Overlander magazine award in Australia.

And the British Research and Technology Centre Thatcham named the Touareg as the most ‘theft-proof’ 4WD. These days consumers are placing car security and anti-theft equipment almost as high on their list of purchase considerations as performance, handling and paint/interior colours.

Clearly Volkswagen has delivered on its proposition that Touareg combines the features of a high quality off-road vehicle with the comfort of a luxury sedan and the dynamic of a sports car to deliver a new philosophy for 4WDs.

As Overlander magazine said in its ‘4WD of the Year’ award: “In summary we can only say one thing about the Touareg. It’s so clever and so capable, that every 4WD manufacturer should buy one and pull it apart to find out what makes it tick. There are some good lessons to be learnt, that’s for sure.”

Like all Touareg models, the R5 TDI has a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with Dynamic Shift programme (DSP) and transmits its drive to all four wheels via Volkswagen’s 4XMOTION system with a transfer gearbox – featuring a switchable off-road low-range gear – front, rear and centre differentials. Centre differential lock is standard and an electronic rear differential lock is optional.

In normal conditions power is split 50/50 front and rear but when the going gets tough, up to 100% drive can be transferred to either front or rear or even to an individual wheel. The driver can also activate the differential locks (up to 100%) manually using the rotary switch in the cockpit.

The dual-wishbone front and rear suspensions feature acoustically insulated subframes to simultaneously provide the almost imperceptibly low levels of noise transmitted to the luxury interior (as per a prestige sedan) and the exact, precise wheel guidance control of a sports car.

Away from sealed roads, the Touareg is simply formidable. Ground clearance is 237mm; approach/departure angles are 28 degrees (aided by the short front and rear body overhangs); the ramp-over angle is 22 degrees and the wading depth is 500mm.

Around town, in the country or even on the beach or bush trails, one thing that stands out is Touareg’s beautiful styling – inside and out.

Touareg was the first of Volkswagen’s ‘New Generation’ styling to come to Australia. Now, it’s clear to see the styling cues that are shared between Volkswagen’s full-size 4WD, the all-new Golf and the Phaeton luxury sedan – most notably the arrow-shaped transition from the front doors and mudguards to the bonnet.

Similarly, the Touareg also possesses the new ‘face’ of Volkswagen – distinctive grille/headlight, turn signals integrated into the exterior mirrors and the distinctive rear light design.

Volkswagen has long been regarded as the global benchmark for automotive interior design and like the Phaeton – its luxury sedan stable mate – the Touareg sets entirely new accents in the luxury class without compromising ergonomics or form. The geometrically clear layout of the dash panel and centre console, the transition from horizontal to vertical elements and the harmonic arches unmistakably reflect Volkswagen design across all models.

Even the details convey an impression of the highest quality and an ideal balance between form and function. Examples: the large dials for the Climatronic air-conditioning system as well as the drive and running gear controls are ergonomic masterpieces, their surfaces of precious, scratch-resistant metal.

R5 Has Latest Generation Volkswagen Diesel

The R5 TDI is powered by a 2.5-litre in-line turbo-diesel engine with pump injection that represents Volkswagen’s new generation design of 5 cylinder diesel powerplants.

The 5 cylinder engines were developed for both transverse and longitudinal mounting in various Volkswagen models (Touareg is longitudinal).

For the R5 TDI Touareg, maximum torque is 400Nm at 2000 rpm and peak power is 128kW at 3500 rpm.

In creating the 2.5-litre TDI engine, development goals for Volkswagen’s engineers were:

• A compact design to allow both longitudinal and transverse mounting
• Low weight (for example the aluminium block)
• Low maintenance (for example the maintenance-free gear train)
• Soiling resistant ancillary drives unit – important for off-road driving
• A modular design to minimize the number of sealing faces
• Cross-flow cylinder head with pump injection system
• Variable geometry turbocharger (electro-pneumatic)

The cylinder faces are plasma-coated. This means a coating powder is applied to the cylinder wall with a plasma burner and as a result there is no need for liners in the cylinders of the aluminium block.

Plasma-coating helps to reduce weight by dispensing with press-fitted grey cast iron cylinder liners and allows a more compact overall block design as the gap between cylinder bores can be smaller than with normal cast iron blocks. And the coated cylinder face has reduced wear characteristics.

Adoption of a cross-flow design with the aluminium cylinder head means the intake and exhaust ports are arranged opposite each for maximum charge cycle efficiency.

In terms of engine packaging, to assist a reduced overall length, the vibration damper is integrated in the crankshaft. It is mounted by four bolts in place of the regular first counterweight. Vibrations are damped over the full engine load and speed range by use of plastic friction elements.

The piston bosses and the small end have a trapezoidal shape in order to minimize stresses in both the pistons and conrods under high combustion forces – as a result, the combustion forces are distributed over a larger area. And to provide good antifrictional properties, the piston bosses have brass bushings.

In addition, a cooling duct has been cast into the piston in order to cool the piston ring area. The oil spray nozzles inject oil into this cooling ducts as soon as the piston is at bottom dead centre.

The helical gear train also reflects the need for compact dimensions in this engine. The gear train transmits the high drive forces in a space-saving manner – the 15 degree helical toothing increases the load-bearing tooth flank width and reduces the gear dimensions to a minimum.

Drive for the camshaft and ancillary units comes from the crankshaft via the gear train which is arranged at the flywheel end of the engine. With the alternator and air-conditioning compressor, the axis tolerances as well as the running irregularities in the longitudinal direction of the drive axis are equalized and damped by an elastic drive coupling – which is also a good dust sealer…handy for off-road driving.

Exterior Design – Touareg Is The New Generation 4WD

At 4754mm long, 1928mm wide, 1726mm high and with a wheelbase of 2855mm, Volkswagen’s Touareg is definitely a full-size 4WD in the latest generation European style.

The fully galvanised body is the longest and widest amongst its direct competitors, but at the same time it is also lower – an important point in executing the total concept. This dimensional ratio results in a truly dynamic and elegant appearance that clearly differentiates the Touareg from both its domestic German rivals and also from 4WDs and SUVs built in other parts of the world.

But it’s not just the classical dimensions that are important with the body of a 4WD wagon…

Measured from the centre of the axle, the front overhang is just 926mm, while at the rear, the figure is just 973mm. The result for the R5 TDI model is Approach/Departure Angles of just 28.4 degrees.

Combined with a complex, 3-part door seal system designed to keep water out, waterproof headlights (as well as waterproof connectors), a special guide for the air intake and engine ventilation plus sealed drive shafts, the Touareg can ford creek crossings up to 500mm deep.

Touareg’s large tailgate and separately opening window guarantee optimum accessibility. The two-piece tailgate, opened by invisible spring shock absorber units, also offers a high degree of technical aesthetics and is unlocked electro-mechanically.

The fully galvanised body construction is characterized by especially high static and dynamic rigidity. And unlike some rival 4WDs, Touareg’s bodyshell rigidity is evenly distributed along the entire body structure so that it plays a role in providing optimum performance from the entire chassis but also guarantees the flawless functioning of doors, bonnet and tailgate with extremely narrow panel gaps in all operating conditions.

Dynamic torsional rigidity of the body is also extremely high – over 40 Hz. Combined with state-of-the-art joining processes used in production – such as laser-welding and laser-soldering – this ensures Touareg owners enjoy outstanding driving comfort with the extremely low levels of NVH one expects from a true prestige 4WD wagon.

Touareg is the first 4WD wagon sold in Australia that already exceeds the requirements of the EC’s 2006 pedestrian protection standard and so not every part of its beautiful exterior paint finish covers steel – the bonnet is aluminium, front mudguards the front (and rear) bumpers are high-tech plastic.

The front guards are constructed of a plastic possessing flexible material and design properties. Wall thickness varies between 2.7mm and 3.4mm depending on the functional necessity. Uniform painting over the entire body is achieved as the material used is resistant to high paint temperatures and, with a two-shell construction, the front guards offer a very high degree of form stability.

Bumpers are constructed of thermal-resistant, extremely rugged plastic that is capable of withstanding engine and exhaust temperatures but also protect against deformation in ‘touch’ parking and off-road dings.

The aluminium bonnet is quite simply a work of art – it is light weight and has optimum deformation characteristics both for a vehicular accident but also in the unfortunate event of a clash with a pedestrian…in which case ‘optimum’ means designed to reduce injury to the pedestrian.

Body acoustic characteristics built in: Volkswagen Touareg’s quietness and refinement are not ‘add-ons’ – rather this feature was designed-in from the beginning of development and so the bodyshell’s acoustic characteristics genuinely match the levels of a luxury sedan.

Some examples:

• Sealing of all bodyframe openings to the interior
• Complex seal system on doors, windows and luggage compartment. The three-part system for the doors consists of internal and external seals as well as a window-guide profile. Unique in class is complete protection of all interior sill panels and interior surfaces of door openings against dirt.
• Engine compartment encapsulation
• Maximum absorption in the drive assembly
• Maximum absorption in the drive tunnel and lightweight damping
• Selective use of highly effective aluminium-sandwich sound-deadening
• Material damping
• Optimised wheel-housing liners
• Damping between engine compartment and interior
• Absorbing roof lining
• Absorption in the luggage compartment
• Absorption in the pillar trim and dashboard.

Interior Design – Functional Aesthetics plus Indulgent Comfort

Modelled on the Phaeton, Volkswagen’s full-size luxury sedan, the Touareg sets entirely new accents in the luxury 4WD segment without compromising trusted Volkswagen values. In fact, one look inside confirms the Touareg is Volkswagen doing what Volkswagen does best – a perfect blend of functional aesthetics, luxury, comfort and outstanding space utilization.

Volkswagen’s combination of quality materials and progressive design perfectly combines the purposefulness of a high-class off-road vehicle with the elegance of a luxury sedan and the ‘can-do’ dynamic of a sports car.

Decorative Walnut wood inlays (R5 TDI L) and ‘Cricket’ leather seats add to the unquestioned refinement of the Touareg.

For the driver, simplicity is the key – Volkswagen’s designers have avoided overloading the control areas with functions. For example the steering column is only used for conventional basic functions (turn signals, wipers and headlight flashers) while all other systems – such as the main light functions – are activated via separate switches.

The entire centre console is also designed to be very easy to use: In the vertical area are the centre air vents, a lockable storage compartment and audio strip. Below the infotainment area are controls for the R5 TDI’s 2-zone Climatronic air-conditioning.

Controls for the 4WD system are found on the horizontal portion of the centre console and for added safety these can be lowered to prevent unintended operation.

A large front centre armrest features two storage compartments – one that is suited for a 1-litre drink bottle. A separate, lockable storage compartment is found in the upper area of the dash panel.

R5 TDI L model Touaregs offer standard 12-way adjustable electric front seats. The rear seat consists of three individually contoured seats in one bench. Both R5 TDI and R5 TDI L models come standard with three rear headrests, three 3-point seat belts and a centre armrest.

Touareg Chassis – Perfect propulsion on and off all roads

Volkswagen’s overall philosophy for the Touareg is again apparent with the chassis that perfectly supplements genuine off-road features with the safety and dynamic attributes of luxury sedans and sports cars.

Touareg features Volkswagen 4XMOTION all-wheel-drive system that guarantees not only outstanding off-road characteristics but also a high degree of safety and dynamic potential on paved roads.

The flow of drive is handled by a transfer gearbox – that unlike some other luxury 4WDs, comes standard with a low-range off-road reduction gear – then to the front and rear differentials (centre electronic differential lock is standard, optional on the rear). The continuously adjustable multi-disc clutch of the centre differential lock is automatically triggered by the drivetrain’s electronic system.

Depending on conditions, up to 100% of the drive force can be transmitted to either front or rear axle (the drive force is regulated primarily by engine torque and secondarily based on slippage).

The driver has the option of activating the differential locks up to 100% manually using a rotary switch in the cockpit, thus temporarily deactivating the lock’s automatic control.

A standard four-wheel EDL (Electronic Differential Lock via braking) supports the fine distribution of the drive force.

In normal situations – dry road, even grip, constant engine power – the drive is split symmetrically front/rear. But, for example, as soon as a wheel begins to slip, due to aquaplaning or a wet spot on one side of the road, the multi-disc lock of the central differential increases the flow of power (up to 100%) to the axle in order to provide more grip. EDL supports this adjusted power distribution.

The result is that the four-wheel-drive equally enhances both handling and active safety. And enables Volkswagen to confidently claim the Touareg handles like a luxury sedan and precise sports car – its driving behaviour is extremely safe and controllable and cornering is outstanding even in unfavourable conditions.

When the off-road going gets very tough, the centre differential is simply locked and low-range selected by the centre console-mounted rotary switch. So equipped, the R5 TDI Touareg can overcome even the steepest 45 degree slopes.

Touareg also offers standard hill-starting assist and (when the ESP is switched on) downhill assist.

Suspension features an independent dual wishbone setup with upper links from aluminium and lower links from steel (fronts) and forged aluminium top links with steel wishbones at the rear.

Standard internally ventilated fixed caliper brake discs including ESP, braking assistant and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) securely and reliably bring the Touareg to a stop.