Volkswagen Touareg Final Edition signals the end of an era
After more than 1.2 million sales in 39 countries across three generations, the Volkswagen Touareg, as a combustion model, will cease production following the release of a Final Edition.
The Touareg marked Volkswagen’s foray into the premium SUV market in 2002, with larger dimensions, better equipment and more advanced technologies giving the model flagship status in the brand. These features would later find their way to the brand’s smaller models, helping them up their game in respective segments. A quarter of a century of production of the Touareg will cease in 2027.
The first generation Volkswagen Touareg 2002-2010 (left) and the Final Edition (right)
For the Final Edition, its significance to Volkswagen will be marked with exclusive design elements inside and out, including laser-engraved ‘Final Edition’ lettering on the windows and gear level, while also appearing on the illuminated dash panel trim and on the illuminated sill panel mouldings.
Three generations of Touareg
Touareg I
2002 - 2010
471,000 units sold
Launched in autumn 2002, the Touareg became one of the leading SUVs thanks to its numerous innovations like electromechanical roll stabilisation and CDC air suspension, enabling it to drive through water depths of 58 centimetres.
Top of the range was the Touareg V10 TDI, which was equipped with the most powerful diesel engine installed at Volkswagen at the time, putting out 308bhp and giving it a 0-62mph acceleration time of 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 139mph.
The first generation Volkswagen Touareg navigating deep water
Touareg II
2010 - 2018
483,000 units sold
The second generation Touareg grew in width and length, and sported new aerodynamic bumpers and a newly designed radiator grille. Its release also coincided with the first hybrid vehicle from VW, and the Touareg 3.0 V6 TSI Hybrid was powered by a supercharged 328bhp V6 petrol engine mated to a 45 bhp electric motor. This combined 473bhp and 580 Nm of torque enabled a 0-62 acceleration time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 149mph.
The second generation Volkswagen Touareg
Touareg III
2018 - present
265,000 units sold
For the third generation Touareg, the cockpit was completely revamped and given new digital innovations like connectivity and assist systems.
Since 2020, the Touareg R Hybrid has been the flagship model in the range offering 455 bhp, 700 Nm of torque and a top speed of 155 mph. Its practical use is probably best demonstrated in the picture below, where it is towing a 3.5 tonne trailer.
The third generation Volkswagen Touareg towing a 3.5 tonne trailer
Racing prowess and breaking records
Dakar Rally
When Volkswagen Motorsport developed the Race Touareg, it led to VW becoming one of the most dominant teams in the Dakar Rally thanks its robust design, All Wheel Drive and reliability. Three overall victories in a row in 2009, 2010 and 2011, with Giniel de Villiers, Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah behind the wheel, respectively.
Touareg Stanley
One of the Touareg’s most impressive successes was its victory in 2005 at the prestigious DARPA (Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency) Grand Challenge in California.
The Touareg Stanley beat 22 other vehicles and was one of only four to reach the finish line, as it completed the challenging 131 mile desert route in six hours, 53 minutes and 58 seconds, all without human intervention.
Volkswagen had the help of various other research centres for this project, with the Touareg equipped with laser detectors, stereo vision equipment, cameras, GPS and specially developed control software to help it navigate the rough terrain. It also helped in the development of self-driving vehicles, signalling the beginning of partly automated assist systems and led to the introduction of Adaptive Cruise Control on the third generation of Touareg.
Towing a Boeing
In 2016, a near-production Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI towed a 155 tonne Boeing 747 on an airport runway. Equipped with modified running gear and making full use of its 750 Nm of torque, the Touareg was able to tow the plane over a distance of 150 metres before bringing it to a standstill. To counter the weight of the plane, the Touareg was loaded with over four tonnes of additional weight and further showcased its ability to withstand challenging situations.
Long distance specialist
In 2011, a Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI completed the legendary Panamericana route from Tierra del Fuego in Argentina to Alaska with long distance expert Rainer Zietlow and his team at the helm.
The journey covered over 14,000 miles and saw the team travel through 17 countries while facing nearly every type of climate able to be experienced, leading the Touareg to beat the previous world record by four days.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Volkswagen