Volkswagen has confirmed that it is assessing the market viability of a performance-upped version of its Touareg SUV. This alleged Touareg R might emerge with a hybrid powertrain under the hood.
This would not be the first time for the Touareg to put on the ‘R’ badge. The first generation of the SUV had a crazy performance version named the R50, which packed a five-liter, 10-cylinder diesel engine rated at 345 hp (257 kW) and 850 Nm (627 pound-feet) of torque. The latest generation packs an even stronger diesel V8 (4.0L, 421 hp / 314 kW, 900 Nm / 664 lb-ft).
However, the odds of the new Touareg R being purely ICE-powered are low. In a much likelier scenario, it will be getting a two-liter gas engine teamed up with an electric motor. One such Touareg version is available in China, where it packs 360 hp (268 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). The R for Europe will likely be boosted to at least 400 hp / 300 kW, though.
If greenlit for production, the SUV should emerge in 2021. And no, VW says it does not want to make it fully electric just yet.