Better late than never

If you’re going to be late to the party, you better show up looking hotter than anyone else there or no one is even going to notice you.  Especially, when the party is filled with the debutantes of the sport utility world.  There are Navigators dressed to the nines, Escalades parading around with their blue blood family crests and Hummers stealing the show on the dance floor. So, why would anyone turn to the door to see yet another midsize SUV enter?

Not only would this Johnny-come-lately need to be able to compete in such ivy leagues, but also outshine all the others — quite the feat for such an overfilled market. However, that is exactly what Volkswagen had in mind when they debuted their first entry into the sport utility market: the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg.

What’s in a name?
The first comment most people made to us during our weeklong test drive was, “what’s it called?” Touareg (pronounced “tour-reg”) actually has its origins in Africa. Named after the Tuareg, a nomadic tribe in the Sahara Desert. These “free folk,” as the name translates, used to roam the Sahara supporting themselves by raiding neighboring tribes, leading caravans and extracting taxes from trans-Sahara travelers. Of course with the advent of modernization all of that changed. Today, the Tuareg are not quite as rambunctious. They’re more sedentary, living in urban settings on the outskirts of the desert. And, although it would come in handy, it’s unlikely they could afford to shell out ,000 for something that could traverse the desert in a fraction of the time that it takes a camel.

Touareg roots
Unlike its namesake, the Touareg shares its lineage with car royalty…the crème de la crème: Porsche. Volkswagen joined forces with Porsche to create a refined, yet utilitarian vehicle.

Porsche went with the Cayenne. And, Volkswagen created the Touareg. Why this partnership between two classes? Because if both manufacturers had to venture into this market by themselves the developmental costs could have easily tallied over billion dollars — not a very profitable prospect for Porsche who only sells about 55,000 cars per year. So, they decided to hook up.

Basically, the Touareg and the Cayenne share the same blue print when it comes to size, platform and drivetrain components. However, they each went their separate ways when it came to engine, suspension tuning, styling and the finishing touches. The result? The Cayenne is designed for pure city driving while the Touareg is at home anywhere you are.

Offroad capabilities
From the looks of it, you’d think the Touareg would be afraid of chipping paint if it ever ventured from the asphalt. But, this one will surprise you. All Touaregs (both V6 and V8 models) are equipped with 4XMOTION, Volkswagen’s term for full-time all-wheel-drive. Optional features like adjustable ride height (top clearance being 11.8 inches vs. 8 on typical SUVs) and continuous damping control, which allows for varying shock stiffness according to road conditions, make traversing wooded backroads as comfortable as driving down the interstate.

Serious offroaders should opt for the navigation system, which provides you with GPS coordinates, along with a graphic that displays front wheel steering angles and altimeter readings — and you thought you were piloting just another SUV.

Onroad refinement
Even though the Touareg is as capable as some Land Rovers, it is most likely destined to end up in the suburbia showroom. Pristinely parked in a driveway, never to venture past the safe, white strips of the road. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing as the Touareg is quite the looker.

Inside, the dash is bathed in burl walnut trim, brushed aluminum and chrome accents. Ambient lighting adds a warm glow every time you enter or exit while storage consoles are hidden inside one another: open the center console and you’ll find an integrated beverage holder that can accommodate one-liter container. Attention to detail is excellent and found where you would least expect it, like in the glove box (it’s air conditioned).

Its interior appearance could easily compete with the Mercedes ML-Class, BMW X5 and Lexus GX470. The Touareg fits five adults in comfort. The seats are wide and the headroom is generous. A third row is not an option, a negative point for some, but for those who don’t need to escort seven people around town, that simply equates into more cargo space. Our test vehicle even had a rear center armrest with a built-in, covered “load through.” Essentially, you could lay a pair of skis flat, through the “load through,” and because they’re encased in this built-in cover, there’s no dripping water or snow on your upholstery.

•••

Volkswagen may have been late to the party, but they knew what they needed to make an entrance. So, should the other manufacturers stop what they’re doing and turn to look at this new RSVP? If they’re smart, they will.

The Touareg is the real deal – it’s a svelte SUV with a taste for luxury and it isn’t afraid to get dirty, unless of course, you are.

Copyright (c) 2004, Michele Brooke

Standard Equipment
(partial list)

• 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission

• all wheel drive

• descent control

• mechanical center locking differential

• hi-lo gear selection

• alloy rims

• rain sensing wipers

• power glass sunroof

• privacy glass

• roof rack

• 4-wheel ABS

• emergency braking assist

• traction control

• stability control

• dual front side-mounted airbags

• front and rear head airbags

• Automatic headlamps

• tire pressure monitoring

• Front Fog/Driving Lights

• vinyl upholstery

• Heated front seats

• tilt and telescopic steering wheel

• dual zone climate controls - driver and passenger

• wood trim on dash

• AM/FM in-dash single CD player, CD-controller stereo with 10 speakers

V8 models also include:
(partial list)

• 18 inch wheels and tires

• leather upholstery

• 12 way power driver and front passenger seats

• Memory seats for 3 deivers

• multi-level heating front seats

• manual sunshades for rear side windows

• power retractable mirrors

Major Available Options

• Navigation System

• 4-Corner Air Suspension

• 4-Zone Climatronic Air Conditioning

• Electronic Parking Assistance

• OnStar Telematics

• Bi-Xenon Headlamps

• Rear Differential Lock

• Trailer Hitch

• AM/FM/CD stereo with 11 speakers and 6 disc CD changer

For more information on the Touareg, visit vw.com

Copyright ©  2004, SmartTrac Computer Systems, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.