The last redesign of this mid-size crossover was really important because we saw a pretty revolutionary overhaul. It has brought a completely new approach. This SUV is now far more luxurious and it competes in the same segment as its corporates siblings that wear premium badges, such as Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga. Touareg has nothing to be ashamed of. Moreover, it even beats its siblings in some aspects. After two years of production, the German manufacturer is about to bring one important novelty, as we are going to see a plug-in hybrid version in the offer. With even more expanded powertrain offer, the 2021 VW Touareg will be an even more appealing luxury SUV, which really doesn’t leave any room for complaints.
Other than a new PHEV powertrain, we expect that the next year won’t bring more significant changes. The overall layout will definitely remain the same, while it’s still early for visual updates. Some things could happen in terms of standard equipment. Still, we don’t expect anything special, as the current model is already pretty impressive in this aspect. The new 2021 VW Touareg should hit the market in the last quarter of 2020.
2021 VW Touareg R Plug-In Hybrid
AS we’ve just mentioned, this will be the biggest novelty for the next year. The 2021 VW Touareg R will come with a new powertrain, so diesel-haters will finally get an economical alternative. The details about this version are already known and the numbers look pretty amazing. This system will be based on a well-known 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine, which is good for about 335 horsepower. It will get help from a quite capable electric motor that puts out 134 horsepower. The combined output will go up to 456 horsepower, which is the number that promises some pretty respectable performances. For example, the 0-60 time should go around five seconds.
Along with a powerful electric motor, this version will also come with a 14.1-kWh battery pack, which is large enough to provide an all-electric range of 30 miles. Add to this a top speed of 87 mph in the electric mode, and you can expect a lot of benefits when it comes to urban rides.
2021 VW Touareg Engines
Other than the new PHEV model, the 2021 Touareg should carry on with the same engines in the offer. This means several pretty familiar options, starting with a well-known 3.0-liter V6 gasoline unit, which delivers around 335 horsepower.
Considering that the new generation is designed primarily for European and the Chinese market, and not for North America, it’s no wonder that the focus in on diesel engines. There are three such versions in the offer. Base models come with a 3.0-liter TDI that delivers around 230 horsepower, which seems okay for the daily ride. Still, a more powerful version with 282 horsepower seems like a much better deal. It is significantly faster and doesn’t waste any more fuel at all.
Those who prefer diesel power can opt for the famous 4.0-liter V8 Turbodiesel. This one features a max output of 416 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. With such numbers, it’s no wonder that the 0-60 time goes in less than 5 seconds. At the same time, you may count on way more than 20 miles per gallon, no matter how heavy you are on a gas pedal.
2021 VW Touareg Design
In terms of base design characteristics, we definitely don’t expect to see any particular change for the next year. The current generation has been around for just a couple of years and it would be hard to expect any particular change so soon, especially if we consider that German carmakers don’t practice big changes during a production cycle. The 2021 VW Touareg will carry on with the same styling, which accentuates the model’s premium character. A classic aesthetical approach has been enhanced with numerous shiny chrome details. Still, things that are under the skin are far more important in this case, considering that this model shares the platform with models like Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. The ride quality is impressive, and we could say this model stands somewhere in the middle when it’s about comfort and performances.
The same story goes for the interior, which is one of the nicest in the class. The overall layout is simplistic, while the dashboard is highlighted by a large touchscreen and excellent virtual cockpit. The overall quality is amazing, while more than 114 inches in wheelbase ensures plenty of space and excellent comfort.
Release Date and Price
While the details about the new 2021 VW Touareg R plug-in hybrid model are still unclear, we presume that the rest of the lineup will come in a typical time of year, sometime in the last quarter. When it comes to the price, this model starts around 46.000 GBP in the UK, while the 2021 VW Touareg USA definitely isn’t something you should expect to see, despite the rumors.