Volkswagen Touareg R: Hybrid world premiere in Geneva

Volkswagen ramps up its hybrid campaign in 2020: with the world premiere of the new Touareg R at the Geneva Motor Show (5 to 15 March 2020), the brand’s top-of-the-range model now also features a plug-in hybrid drive. 

The Touareg R with a power output of 340 kW (462 PS) offers an innovative blend of superlative performance and electric efficiency. When the battery is sufficiently charged, the new SUV always starts in electric E-MODE for zero emissions. 

The all-round talent can be driven at up to 140 km/h using electric power; above this speed, the turbocharged V6 petrol engine (TSI) supplements the electric drive motor. The Touareg R will cover most commuter distances fully electrically.

Drivers can intuitively control the battery’s charge level using the Hybrid menu in the Infotainment system. It is therefore possible to reserve sufficient levels of electric energy even at the end of a long journey so that destinations in built-up areas can be reached with zero emissions. 

If the navigation system is active, the battery manager also looks ahead and predictively takes into account the route and topography data to the adapt battery use and thus optimise the electric range.

The hybrid drive of the Touareg R essentially consists of a 2,995 cm³ V6 turbocharged petrol engine (250 kW/340 PS), the electric drive motor (100kW/136 PS) and a lithium-ion battery (energy capacity of 14.1 kWh) built into the luggage compartment underbody. An 8-speed automatic gearbox (with Tiptronic) and a transfer box transmit the power to the standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

Thanks to the all-wheel drive and the very powerful hybrid system (700 Nm torque), the Touareg R is designed for a superior maximum trailer weight of up to 3.5 tonnes. This Volkswagen model is also the first plug-in hybrid SUV available with Trailer Assist – an assistance system for automated manoeuvring with a trailer. And this is also possible with purely electric power. 

The latest Travel Assist version is also a new feature, enabling assisted driving up to speeds of 250 km/h for the very first time. The top speed itself is less important here than the fact that the most recent Travel Assist generation reflects the ever higher development standard of Volkswagen’s systems on the way to autonomous driving (IQ. DRIVE).

The new, high-tech SUV was designed by the Volkswagen R performance brand, which traditionally develops the sportiest models in the Volkswagen range. The Touareg R represents a paradigm shift – it is the first Volkswagen R model to feature a plug-in hybrid drive. It is also the first time a hybrid model has been the most highly-powered Volkswagen. The extremely well appointed Touareg R, which features the Black Style exterior design package along with 20-inch alloy wheels (Braga) and R-Line interior trim (e.g. Vienna leather interior with Crystal Grey stitching), is set to enter the market in the second half of the year.