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While
classifying Volkswagen's Touareg as a crossover vehicle,
we remember some of the reasons it is. It does so many things,
and does them exceedingly well in the process. There's an
air of luxury refinement aptly befitting a premium, wide-bodied
sport vehicle in the (not quite) hold-your-breath price
range. There's a capability to truly go off-road without
crossing fingers for luck in the process, thanks to VW's
4XMOTION permanent four-wheel-drive with low range gearing
for the trackless wilderness. There's the unibody construction
that smooths out street manners in a way that would be lost
with a truck base. And whether powered by the 3.2-liter,
240-HP V6 or 4.2-liter 310-HP V8, there's an aspect of sporty
command one would expect from either.
For
2005, VW makes some handling and safety changes. Models
without the available air suspension system get a modified
suspension and slightly lower ride height. V6 powerplants
are beefed up 20 horsepower. Standard side curtain airbags
augment front and side impact ones. And all models have
VW's load management system to automatically unlock doors,
switch off the fuel supply, turn on emergency flashers,
plus more, if airbags deploy.
The
Touareg's base prices ($37,140 V6; $44,260 V8) might seem
steep if not for a long list of standard equipment that
includes sunroof, anti-theft with starter interrupt, rain
sensor wipers, and hill descent and climb assist on all
models. But those numbers can climb with some costly equipment
packages.
Sadly,
one of VW's planned triumphs in North America for 2005,
with relatively few expected takers but good for bragging
rights following rave reviews, got shot down out almost
out of the chute. A 5.0-liter, 310-HP, 10 cylinder diesel
(base price $58,490) goes back to the drawing board for
more 2005-mandated EPA testing, because it uses a Europe-sanctioned
exhaust treatment to reduce emissions. Presumably those
who feel a 553-lb.ft. torque rating and 23 highway/17 city
mileage can't be missed won't mind the delay.
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