Want
a burst of speed to merge into relentless traffic? Want pure power, on 130 MPH
speed-rated tires, to surge forward with unfettered fun? Want some knobs and gauges
and other gizmos, bathed in a warm, red glow, to play with? Volkswagen's pricey,
award-winning, yet oddly-named Touareg has it all. Here's
a pampering, mudworthy, roar-down-the-road vehicle surpassing the description
"crossover" -- or maybe helping define it. Although this five-seater
has rigid "self-supporting" construction instead of the truck base of
many competitors, it can easily bump shoulders with the best on truly tortuous
off-road tracks, especially in "sport" suspension mode, or even with
stuff in tow. That's
where gizmos come in. Touch the console-mounted button and those ample sideview
mirrors with trendy turn indicator lights flap in and out like an icebound duck
trying to escape from a frozen pond. That's great for forging through a thicket
or easing into tight parking spots. A word of caution here. Until familiarity
sets in, an errant touch of the mirror adjustment while driving can leave you
blind on both sides. Besides
a center-mounted, multi-disc nav system, VW has centered a little information
box between gauges just below the vision line when driving so it's easy to glance
through the steering wheel to check. At the touch of a toggle, it details time,
mileage, instant "tyre" pressure, and more, or the road it thinks you
are on. Touareg,
with permanent four-wheel drive, is powered by a 3.2 liter, 220 HP V-6 or 4.2
liter, 310 HP V-8. Sport wheels range from 17-inch to optional-19 inch, with custom
cut lugnuts apparently to quell theft. Standard independent suspension guarantees
superb handling, and button adjustments fix the differential for varied terrain. On
the "why not" list of extras: A cigarette lighter turned flashlight
to aid the lost on a lonely road, and (believe it) an air conditioned glove box.
|