The Black Edition’s 3.0-litre V6 diesel, in midfield 282bhp spec, felt very a lot in tune with the Touareg’s measurement and weight and suited the automobile exceptionally nicely. Also boasting 442lb ft torque there’s greater than sufficient punch and extra.
Only at decrease speeds do you detect a little bit of gruffness from the engine, however that quickly fades into the background as soon as in control. Even round city it is easy, melding properly with the eight-speed computerized gearbox.
Sure, in some cases the powertrain can really feel a bit unresponsive: the gearbox takes a second to discover a gear when extra forceful pedal inputs are utilized. There are a number of modes to select from too. Sport helps to dial up efficiency, eradicating among the lag skilled in Normal mode; though the latter feels smoother in all environments.
In the usual eHybrid, accessible solely in £69,150 Elegance trim, it was a little bit of a unique expertise. It makes use of the identical set-up as the £80,370 R – a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine paired with a gearbox-mounted electrical motor – however with a lesser system output of 375bhp (in contrast with the R’s 455bhp).
Both hybrids retain the identical 14.3kWh battery pack as earlier than, bucking the pattern from rivals who’ve elevated capability as a part of current facelifts – the X5 and GLE now supply a lot bigger 25.7kWh and 31.2kWh respectively.
Like its diesel sibling, it too supply incredible consolation, efficiency and luxurious befitting its flagship standing.
What was disappointing was the Touareg’s electrical efficiency. On the one hand, the SUV confirmed respectable effectivity on medium-length journeys (highs of 60-70mpg) , however the battery depleted at a somewhat alarming price, leaving longer runs a cheap problem and once more elevating questions about VW’s option to not improve that tiny battery.
On its personal, the petrol V6 fits the Touareg, with heaps of punchy torque to maintain the chunky household motor fascinating. But when a potter round city returns not more than 12mpg, and highs of mid-20s are all that may be anticipated, it reveals how wanted {that electrical} help actually is.
In electric-only mode, VW quotes a spread of 31 miles. We averaged 24, which was return, however nonetheless underneath half of the 51 we managed within the bigger-batteried X5 earlier this yr.
Once the battery is depleted, it’ll take 2.5hours to recharge through a 7.2kW charger (8.5h through a three-pin). The Touareg can after all additionally self-charge; we discovered it retrieved as a lot as 5 miles of vary in half-hour of driving.