The Touareg has achieved only modest sales worldwide since its launch in 2003, mostly because of its lack of seven-seater capability and premium price tag compared with many of its Japanese rivals. These issues highlight the Touareg’s awkward position in the market - more premium than many of its competitors, but not high-end enough to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW, Porsche and Mercedes. In Australia, Touareg sales reached 657 units for the first six months of the year, slightly up on 2007’s levels.

Changes will be significant
The new Touareg will be slightly smaller than the current model but will feature a range of more fuel efficient engines and be able to seat up to seven passengers. Seen with only minimal camouflage due to its last-generation sheet metal, the vehicle’s test status is given away by several details including a misaligned fuel-filler cap, a slightly longer wheelbase than what the body was designed for, evidenced by the wheels being off-centre in the wells, and what appears to be a wider track as suggested by the oversized rear bumper.

The front of the car also features a different intake system, positioned lower than that of the current production model.

All of these changes are small individually, but they add up to what is likely to be an all-new platform residing under familiar sheet metal. There’s also the possibility that this test-mule is the current version conducting powertrain and emissions testing for a U.S. market V6 TDI due later this year, but the multitude of noticeable changes to the car’s body suggest otherwise.
 
Platform sharing with up-market stable mates could help
The new platform will be shared with the next-generation Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 and will feature increased use of aluminium to keep weight down, improving handling and efficiency. It will also be slightly sportier and adopt styling influences from the recently launched Tiguan SUV.

The new engine lineup will start with a 208kW 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine and top out with a 257kW 4.2-litre petrol V8. A pair of diesel engines will also be on offer including 2.7-litre and 3.0-litre turbodiesels. All the engines will be matched with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Balancing the Touareg sufficiently below its Audi and Porsche siblings to keep the brand images distinct while still maintaining sales and premium perceptions will be a difficult task, as the current model has proven. Expanding the size to allow seven-passenger seating and improving the available engine range will go a long way toward achieving that goal, but it will still take a deft hand to keep the markets separate

Volkswagen Touareg test mule spy shots

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