Volkswagen is presenting in Paris the world premiere of a new generation of the Touareg luxury class SUV. The market launch of the new version of the top-seller will take place at the end of November 2006. The Touareg, equipped with over 2,300 redesigned parts, looks different from its predecessor with a completely modified front section with crest radiator grill, distinctive headlights and much more. In addition, a substantial amount of new and sometimes unique technical developments are being employed. The Touareg will also be available as the first Volkswagen with an eight cylinder direct injection gasoline-powered engine (V8 FSI, 257 kW / 350 hp).
ABSplus
ABSplus, developed and patented by Volkswagen, is a world first: The standard equipment system shortens the braking distance of the Touareg by up to 20% on loose driving surfaces. Before now SUVs became unstable when braking hard on surfaces such as gravel or sand and steerability and stopping distance were significantly impaired. This is where ABSplus comes in: Thanks to an innovative traction control system the Touareg pushes parts of the surface material in front of the temporarily locked-up wheels. This creates a type of braking wedge. The result: Braking action is greatly increased without impacting steerability and the stopping distance is correspondingly reduced.
ACC
No less innovative than ABSplus is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with a new follow-to-stop feature. The radar-based distance control automatically slows down and accelerates the vehicle within a previously defined range of speed depending on traffic conditions. The system now employed in the Touareg for the first time slows the car down to a complete stop. Also new: the stopping distance control (Front Scan) integrated into the ACC system. Ahead of certain situations it "arms" the brakes as a preventative measure.
Side Scan
Another assistant system in the new Touareg generation, being introduced for the first time in a Volkswagen, is the lane changing assistant (Side Scan). This system monitors the area next to and behind the Touareg and a control lamp in the exterior mirrors warns of a possible risk of collision when changing lanes.
ESP innovations
New features have been added to the ESP electronic stabilization program. In detail these include a now hydraulic instead of pneumatic brake assistant (optimal operational reliability), preventative brake pressure build-up when the gas pedal is released suddenly, Active Rollover Protection (ARP) to increase stability, rain brake support (windshield wiper effect for wet road surfaces), fading brake support (additional pressure build-up optimizes constant braking) and understeer control logic (improves turning behavior when understeering).
Driving dynamics package with dynamic response
The Touareg masters tough off-road use and extreme tours and yet offers the comfort of a sedan and remarkable sportiness. Previously, this dynamic could be increased in terms of the chassis via an optional sport chassis for Touareg models with steel suspension. A sport chassis – with dynamic response in this case – is now also being added to the models with pneumatic shock suspension. "Driving dynamics package with dynamic response" adds a hard spring rate to the already existing "Sport" mode of the manually and automatically controllable pneumatic shock absorption system. This increase in dynamics and safety is achieved, among other things, via reinforced stabilizers, absorbers regulated by steering wheel movement, a modified pneumatic shock absorption system and new software. Driving comfort remains just as good in normal suspension mode as with models without sport chassis.
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