Volkswagen’s largest and most powerful diesel engine – the EA989 Series V8 TT – went out of production four years after the launch. The mill shipped in two forms (twin-turbo and TT+supercharged) and gave the VW Touareg 421 hp (314 kW) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque. Just as this spec becomes history, two new ones come in to replace it.
The mighty Touareg debuted in February and is now available for purchase alongside a new version, the less ambitious eHybrid.
Both come equipped with the same 3.0-liter V6 engine rated at 340 hp (254 kW) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque, which works in conjunction with a 136-hp (100-kW) electric motor. Both use the same kind of eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD system with a Torsen differential. However, while the Touareg R churns out 462 hp (345 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) total, the eHybrid only manages 381 hp (284 kW) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft).
The battery size is 14.1 kWh in both cases, which is enough for 47 km or 29 miles of WLTP-rated range. You can charge it from a wall socket, and you can drive all-electric at 140 km/h (87 mph) max. Starting the gas engine unlocks 250 km/h (155 mph).
The eHybrid needs 6.3 seconds to get to 100 km/h (62 mph), while the R manages the same in 5.1 s. Both lag behind the discontinued diesel version with its 4.9 seconds. The R has sporty exterior décor and optimized suspension. It also weighs in at just 2,020 kg (4,453 lbs), while the hybrid is much heavier at 2,427 kg (5,350 lbs).
Standard equipment includes a four-zone HVAC system, a digital dashboard, a panoramic roof and much more. The Touareg R additionally benefits from LED Matric headlights.
The eHybrid starts from €72,380 in Germany, whereas the R goes for €84,660 and above that.