Talking About Automobiles

The Volkswagen Touareg has gained several improvements, mostly defining refinement. The Touareg 2 now has redesigned headlights, grille, and bumpers, new, larger side mirrors, updated taillights and exhaust tips. It has bigger wheels measuring 19 inches for the V 8 and diesel V 10 models. On the inside, found are new instrument panel, 12 way power driver’s seat, new stereo interface (with standard Sirius Satellite Radio), and options like keyless access and four-zone climate control.

The 2008 Touareg 2 also received mechanical upgrades. It gets direct injection (FSI) to efficiently improve fuel economy while optimizing the power. It is now powered with a 280 horse, 3.6 L engine that replaces the 240 hp, 3.2 L V 6 of the 2007 model. The FSI 4.2 L V 8, which became available later in the prior model year, offers 350 hp and 324 pound-feet of torque. The torque-monster V 10 twin-turbo diesel, which was not available in the 2006 and 2007 models, is back with 553 pound-feet of torque with however, only 43-state legal for 2008 model. By the middle of the 2009 model year, it is expected that the V 10 TDI will be replaced by a 50 state-legal 3.0 L turbodiesel that uses urea injection, a system VW claims will be as easy to refill as the windshield washer fluid.

There also features that has been retained from the previous year model, which includes the four-wheel independent front and rear suspension systems, the four-wheel discs, Volkswagen’s 4XMotion four-wheel-drive system, Hill Roll Back Assist, and Hill Descent Assist. The Touareg 2 still offers an optional air suspension. And, like before, the four-wheel drive and ride height are controlled through knobs near the transmission shift lever on the center console.

The 2008 Touareg version comes with Volkswagen’s Electronic Stabilization Program comprised with several new features, including active rollover protection, dry-braking (which removes the water film from brake pads for shorter stops on wet surfaces), and ABS-Plus for better braking on loose surfaces like gravel or sand. The ABS-Plus temporarily locks the wheels, pushing some of the grabel/sand underneath to form a wedge, which shortens braking distance on uneven terrain by as much as 20 percent. The vehicle is also featured with tire-pressure-monitoring system that can inform the driver more quickly of a low or flat tire.

To make it a little more precise and clear, here is a table provided in trucktrend.com that could help you out picture the performance of the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 on a road test:

General

• Location of final assembly - Bratislava, Slovakia
• Body style - 4-door SUV
• EPA size class - Special purpose
• Drivetrain layout - Front engine, 4WD
• Airbags - Front, front side, side curtain

Powertrain

• Engine type - 11° V-6, iron block/alum heads
• Bore x stroke, in - 3.50 x 3.80
• Displacement, ci/L - 220/3.6
• Compression ratio - 11.3:1
• Valve gear - DOHC, 4 valves/cyl, VVT
• Fuel induction - Sequential multipoint fuel injection, FSI
• SAE horsepower, hp @ rpm - 280 @ 6200
• SAE torque, lb-ft @ rpm - 265 @ 2500
• Opt engine - 90° V-8, iron block/alum heads
• Bore x stroke, in - 3.33 x 3.66
• Displacement, ci/L - 255/4.2
• Compression ratio - 11.0:1
• Valve gear - DOHC, 5 valves/cyl
• Fuel induction - Sequential multipoint fuel injection, FSI
• SAE horsepower, hp @ rpm - 350 @ 6200
• SAE torque, lb-ft @ rpm - 324 @ 3000
• Opt engine - 90° twin TD V-10, iron block/alum heads
• Bore x stroke, in - 3.19 x 3.76
• Displacement, ci/L - 300/5.0
• Compression ratio - 18.0:1
• Valve gear - SOHC, 2 valves/cyl
• Fuel induction - Direct injection
• SAE horsepower, hp @ rpm - 310 @ 3750
• SAE torque, lb-ft @ rpm - 553 @ 2000
• Transmission - 6-speed automatic
• 1st - 4.15:1
• 2nd - 2.37:1
• 3rd - 1.56:1
• 4th - 1.16:1
• 5th - 0.86:1
• 6th - 0.69:1
• Reverse - 3.39:1
• Axle ratio - 4.56:1
• Final drive ratio - 3.15:1
• Low-range ratio - 2.66:1
• Crawl ratio (1st x axle gears x low range) - 50.3:1
• Recommended fuel - Premium unleaded/ULSD

Dimensions/Capacities

• Wheelbase, in - 112.4
• Length, in - 187.2
• Width, in - 75.9
• Height, in - 68.0
• Track, f/r, in - 65.2/65.7
• Headroom, f/r, in - 38.7/38.3
• Legroom, f/r, in - 41.3/35.6
• Shoulder room, f/r, in - 57.7/57.4
• Cargo volume, behind 1st/2nd row, cu ft - 71.0/31.0
• Ground clearance, in - 6.3-11.8 (air)
• Approach/departure angle, deg - 28.0/33.0 (air)
• Base curb weight/as tested, lb - 5086/5164 (V-6)
• Weight distribution, f/r, % - 52/48
• Max payload capacity, lb - 1400
• GVWR, lb - 6500
• GCWR, lb - 14,000
• Max towing capacity, lb - 7716
• Fuel capacity, gal - 26.4

Chassis

• Construction - Unibody
• Suspension, front/rear - Independent, double wishbone, coilover/independent, four-link; four-corner air suspension (opt)
• Steering type - Servotronic power steering
• Ratio - 14.7:0
• Turning circle, ft - 38.1
• Brakes, front/rear - 13-in vented disc/13-in vented disc, ABS
• Wheels - 19-in alloy
• Tires - P275/45R19

Performance

• 0-60 mph, sec - 7.9 (V-6)
• Quarter mile, sec @ mph - 16.0 @ 84.7
• Braking, 60-0, ft - 128
• EPA fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg - 12-15/17-20
• CO2 emissions, lb/mile - 1.22 (V-6); 1.40 (V-8); 1.31 (V-10)

Price

• Base price - $48,320 (V-8)
• Options - $10,700
• Price as tested - $59,020 (V-8)

Not bad at all, isn't it?