Photo: SB-Medien
Now that we’ve seen the second-gen Audi Q7 and the Bentley SUV prototytpes out testing, it’s time to talk about another uber-important member of the Volkswagen Group SUV family, namely the third-generation VW Touareg. The Touareg chassis mule was spied for the first time, with the car hiding as an... Audi Q7.
We are dealing with two Touareg mules here, with both cars being registered with VW number plates from Braunschweig, Germany, close to Volkswagen’s R&D base. Usually, when a spy photgrapher’s lens manage to reach the interior of the car, you end up with precious information, but things are a bit more complicated than that.
While the cabin of the test mules is different to that of the current Touareg, that’s because it features a mix of VW and Audi parts. Both inside and outside the cars, the elements don’t quite fit perfectly, as with any mule.
The new chassis will also be more rigid, thus increasing safety, as well as assuring the solid base for the Touareg’s offroading potential. While few owners actually tap into these rugged terrain resources, the Touareg can’t afford to lose them.
The lower curb weight will mean all of the sub-systems of the car can make a move on the light side. While this will obviously bring benefits such as a smoother ride and better roadholding, the effects in the powertrain department will be even greater.
Thus, the engine line-up will start with four-cylinder units. Given the fact that the Volkswagen Group appears to have tempered its thirst for niches, we may not see a performance model - this area will be covered by the third-gen Porsche Cayenne anyway. In the gearbox department, the most important novelty will be an optional 10-speed DSG double-clutch gearbox.
Volkswagen is expected to released the third-generation Touareg in late 2016, or early 2017, as a 2018 model year. We know that may sound like a lot of time to wait, but you’ll be receiving plenty of updates meanwhile. For one thing, when our spy photographers shot the two mules, these were being unloaded in order to be set free on the Nurburgring.
While the cabin of the test mules is different to that of the current Touareg, that’s because it features a mix of VW and Audi parts. Both inside and outside the cars, the elements don’t quite fit perfectly, as with any mule.
Isn’t it a little early for a new Touareg?
Yes, we know the Touareg facelift hasn’t even reached all the dealerships yet, but the German engineers are out testing the new chassis. The switch to the VW Group’s third-generation SUV platform, is set to bring major changes. Tentativaely called MLB Evo, the architecture will see a shortened version of it underpin the Volkswagen model. Chief among the revisions will be an aluminum diet, which could see the vehicles lose anywhere between 220 and 800 lbs (100 and 360 kg), depending on the model.The new chassis will also be more rigid, thus increasing safety, as well as assuring the solid base for the Touareg’s offroading potential. While few owners actually tap into these rugged terrain resources, the Touareg can’t afford to lose them.
The lower curb weight will mean all of the sub-systems of the car can make a move on the light side. While this will obviously bring benefits such as a smoother ride and better roadholding, the effects in the powertrain department will be even greater.
Thus, the engine line-up will start with four-cylinder units. Given the fact that the Volkswagen Group appears to have tempered its thirst for niches, we may not see a performance model - this area will be covered by the third-gen Porsche Cayenne anyway. In the gearbox department, the most important novelty will be an optional 10-speed DSG double-clutch gearbox.
The Touareg will make an upmarket move
We’ll remind you Volkswagen is preparing to introduce a seven-seater SUV in the US, which will be built at its Chattanooga plant in Tennessee. This will be more of an actual people’s car, which means the Touareg will make a slight upmarket move.Volkswagen is expected to released the third-generation Touareg in late 2016, or early 2017, as a 2018 model year. We know that may sound like a lot of time to wait, but you’ll be receiving plenty of updates meanwhile. For one thing, when our spy photographers shot the two mules, these were being unloaded in order to be set free on the Nurburgring.
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