No Touareg Hybrid for Australia

Volkswagen yesterday revealed the new-generation Touareg, which also includes a hybrid version, but it appears that the global release might be different depending on the local market. Australia won't receive the hybrid configuration, as Volkswagen Australia said in a statement, for the sole reason that it could fail to impress thanks to the achievements of the regular model.

“We have looked at the line-up with the new Touareg, and the improvements in terms of reduced weight and reduced fuel consumption mean that the need for a hybrid version isn’t as great,” VW Australia spokesperson Karl Gehling was quoted as saying by drive.com.au.

“We don’t think there is going to be the demand for a hybrid [in Australia]. We’re not ruling it out for later editions, but at this stage we won’t be offering a hybrid.”

The Hybrid Touareg has a combined fuel consumption of 8.2 l/100km (28.6 mpg) and releases 193 grams of CO2 every kilometer. It takes the place of the previous V8 petrol engines in Europe and America and comprises a supercharged V6 TSI that develops 333 horsepower and a high-voltage battery. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

In Europe, Volkswagen will start selling the new Touareg in April, but in Australia it won't arrive sooner than early 2011. The car will make its first appearance at the Geneva Auto Show in March but will be presented to Australians at a later date. Specifications for the Australian market will be released later on.