November 11, 2010, Bedford, MA. The largest, most luxurious vehicle in the Volkswagen lineup will soon add low emissions to its list of accomplishments. In 2011, the Touareg Hybrid will join the currently available Touareg and Touareg TDI, delivering Volkswagen’s first hybrid powertrain in the United States. The German automaker promises that buyers will not find themselves sacrificing power for a lower environmental impact.
The new Touareg Hybrid takes a different approach from other hybrids by using its electric motor to supplement a supercharged, 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine when extra power or torque is needed, as well as running solely on battery power at low speeds or in stop-and-go traffic. The result is an SUV with hot-rod credentials, delivering 380 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the 3.0-liter turbo diesel tops out at 225 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.6-liter gas-powered V-6 provides 280 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque.
That leaves the Touareg Hybrid as the power winner, and it also fares well in fuel economy at 21 mpg/city and 25 mpg/highway, beating the turbo diesel’s 19 mpg/city and falling just shy of its 28 mpg/highway. This puts the Touareg Hybrid well ahead of its competition in miles per gallon, beating the 2010 Ford Explorer’s 14 mpg/city and 20 mpg/highway and far surpassing the 12 mpg/city and 18 mpg/highway offered by the high-end Lexus LX 570.
“Everyone who has been wondering when Volkswagen would make a hybrid is sure to agree that it was worth the wait,” said Ray Hovsepian, general manager of Minuteman Volkswagen, a Massachusetts Volkswagen dealer. “All of the new Touareg models will offer improved performance, but the hybrid is truly something special. It challenges the idea that hybrids are underpowered, sluggish vehicles that struggle to keep up with highway traffic.”
Volkswagen has improved the suspension across the entire Touareg line, and lowered the weight of the SUVs by about 400 pounds in the gas and diesel models. While the 2011 Touareg loses some of its off-road capabilities due to these changes, it does have a smoother ride on the highway and still offers hill-descent control and a hefty, 7,700-pound towing capacity.
For Greater Boston Volkswagen Touareg shoppers, the changes mean a much quieter ride and excellent performance in snow and ice. Standard luxury features in the Touareg Hybrid include a heated steering wheel and seats, full-time all-wheel drive, a panoramic roof and a new multimedia system with displays behind the steering wheel and in the center console.
To preserve the SUV’s cargo space, Volkswagen placed the hybrid batteries beneath the rear floor mats. This leaves 15.3 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats and 55 cubic feet of space with the seats folded. All Touareg models feature a new, simpler mechanism that folds the rear seats down, replacing the three-step system found on 2010 models.
“One of the great things about the Touareg Hybrid is that drivers won’t need to map out diesel stations before they travel,” Hovsepian said. “That fact, and the stronger mileage in stop-and-go traffic, should make the Touareg Hybrid a local favorite when it arrives.”
About Minuteman Volkswagen:
Minuteman Volkswagen, located in Bedford MA, is entering its 38th year of excellence. Minuteman is renowned throughout the Greater Boston area for its friendly and knowledgeable sales staff, skilled service department and impressive selection of new and pre-owned Volkswagens. If you’re in the market for a quality new or pre-owned Volkswagen at the right price, Minuteman is where you want to be. For more information you can visit them on the web at www.minutemanvw.com, “like” them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MinutemanVW, call them at 781.275.8000 or stop by their showroom at 39 North Rd, Bedford, MA.
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