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All controls to the suspension are accessed through the center console in the interior (see diagrams). There are three main areas of control: The left most rotary knob controls the all-wheel-drive system settings and has "high", "auto", "low", center differential lock, center and rear differential lock, and if equipped with a front differential, a front, center and rear differential lock position. To the right of this knob is a switch to defeat the standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and, if equipped with the air suspension, a roller switch to adjust through three levels of air suspension settings: "comfort", "auto" and "sport". If the vehicle is equipped with the optional air suspension there is a second rotatary knob to adjust ride height manually. Even with all these manual adjustments the Touareg will make certain assumptions based on a number of variables. For instance at highway speeds the air suspension automatically lowers the vehicle and resets the comfort level to a mid-level range. If you manually switch the all-wheel-drive system to "low" the vehicle goes into "comfort" mode and raises the vehicle to maximum ride height.
So how do all these systems work? Quite well actually... Volkswagen set us loose at their highly protected Ehra Lessien proving grounds just north of the Volkswagen headquarters in Wolfsburg for some on-road and off-road fun. Volkswagen had six Touaregs models for us to sample: two 220hp 3.2l VR6 with standard spring suspension, two 310hp 4.2l V8 models with air suspension, and two 313hp V10 TDI models with air suspension. All of the vehicles on hand were largely hand built units so some of the detailing we saw might be different when the final production version makes it way to the U.S. June of 2003.
The V6 model will be the base unit priced below $35,000 according to Volkswagen. It will come standard with a slew of standard equipment and a toned down appearance package indicative of a base model - no wood trim on the interior, blacked out front grill, smaller standard wheels and other touches. Even though the 3.2l VR6 is "rated" at 220hp in the Touareg we're inclined to think VW might be under-quoting the horsepower a bit. The V6 model moved off the line rather well, especially with the 6-speed Tiptronic which is standard on all models. Volkswagen quotes a 0-60mph time below 10 seconds for the VR6 model. The 3.2l is quiet and smooth and definitely not an engine option to shy away from.
The 313hp 4.2l V8 is borrowed from Audi and gives a very nice growl at higher RPMs and moves the Touareg smartly off the line. Volkswagen claims a 0-60mph below 8 seconds for the V8 model. The added weight was a little more noticeable when tossing the vehicle around the slalom cones, but not significantly different than the V6 model.
The 313hp V10 TDI is by far our favorite pick of all the models not because of the 313 horsepower but because of the 550 lb-ft. of torque. The V10 TDI model really moves off the line with big authority and literally pushes you back in your seat. It is also the quietest TDI we've ever heard and returns nearly 24 mpg combined cycle according to VW. Every journalist in attendance at the event echoed the same sentiment that the V10 TDI *is* the Touareg model to have. VW engineers tell us that since truck emissions are much looser than gasoline emission standards there is a VERY good chance we'll see the V10 TDI in the second year of production along with a 420hp+ W12-cylinder model.
All Touareg models come standard with a host of alphabet soup electronic systems to make sure you don't get in over your head: electronic stability program (ESP), anti-slip regulation (ASR), anti-lock brakes (ABS), engine braking control (EBC) and hydraulic brake assistant (HBA). All these systems work rather unobtrusively and the ASR and ESP are capable of being shut off via a switch on the center console. Other safety features include six airbags and an after crash procedure in which the Touareg, after being involved in a serious accident will automatically unlock all the doors, disrupt the starter line from the battery, turns off all HVAC systems, cuts the fuel supply, turns the hazard lights on and, if equipped, will use an option OnStar system to call for help.
