I found this great article online about our 2011 Touareg and wanted to share it with you guys! Source is the Toronto Star!
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Exceptional in every sense of the word
Peter Bleakney- Special to the Star
Volkswagen, the “people's car,” has had a long history of bringing affordable cars to the masses — of delivering a product to those who might otherwise not be able to afford it. So what does this have to do with the five-seat 2011 VW Touareg TDI Execline that lightens the billfold to the tune of $63,135 before freight and taxes? Quite a bit if you're in the market for a premium German SUV that goes down the road courtesy of a six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine.
With a starting price of $53,190 for the well-equipped 2011 Touareg TDI Comfortline (Bluetooth, navigation, powered tailgate), VW is significantly undercutting the competition. The BMW X5 xDrive35d bows at $62,800, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec at $63,900, and the Audi Q7 TDI, which uses the same engine, at $58,900. The mid-range Touareg TDI Highline, which has leather, proximity key, heated wheel and rear seats, and panoramic sunroof lists for $58,645.
The redesigned 2011 Touareg is an impressive piece, featuring a lovely interior, typical VW dynamics (read: engaging and refined), and a structure that feels as solid as the day is long. Like its sister ship, the Porsche Cayenne, this Touareg is a little longer and wider than the outgoing model yet looks more compact thanks to sleeker styling and a slightly lower roofline. Horseshoe-shaped LED running lights make for a nice touch.
The 2011 VW Touareg (in 3.6-litre V6 gas trim) was named Best CUV/SUV over $50,000 at the most recent Automobile Journalists Association of Canada TestFest. This diesel version is better. Of course there's no free lunch, as the premium for 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 is approximately $4,000 — money you'll likely never recoup despite the TDI's impressive fuel economy.
I observed a saintly 9.4 L/100km during a week of largely highway driving. Official numbers are 11.9 L/100 km city and 8.0 L/100 km highway versus 12.3 and 8.8 for the 3.6-litre gasoline V6. The TDI is a terrific engine, putting out 225 hp and 406 lb.-ft. — the latter available from 1,750 rpm. As with all 2011 Touaregs, the transmission is a smooth eight-speed Tiptronic well-suited to the diesel's relatively narrow power band.
As such, the TDI punches ahead from almost any speed with modest throttle application. One hundred km/h comes up in 8.6 seconds and it'll whoosh from 80 to 120 km/h in 5.8 seconds. Power is transferred to the ground via VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive.
While there is no low-speed transfer case, turning a dial on the console from On Road to Off Road rejigs the transmission mapping, traction control, stability control, braking and electronic differential lock for off-road duty. VW has done a great job in isolating the cabin from any diesel-like sounds or vibrations, bettering both the Merc and BMW in this regard.
Unlike the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel VWs, this V6 needs the AdBlue system to clean up its exhaust. Urea from a reservoir (filled during regular service visits) is injected into the exhaust upstream from a special catalytic converter, wherein most of the NOx (nitrogen oxide) is eliminated.
Working in conjunction with a particulate filter, there is zero smoke, soot or smell coming from the VW's tailpipes. The Touareg's cabin is exceptionally well-crafted, and this top-trim Execline featured real mahogany veneer and dark brown “saddle” leather. The 12-way seats, in typical VW fashion, find a balance between long-haul comfort and firm support. A large touchscreen dominates the upper console, and all systems are easily accessed and negotiated. The audio system sounds very good but this is the first vehicle I've tested without a CD drive. Sign of the times? Allowing plenty of light to fall on these lovely surroundings is the gigantic panorama sunroof with a front panel that tilts and retracts. The Execline gets adaptive xenon headlights with curve lights, powered tilt and telescope wheel (heated), heated rear seats, side rear sun shades, park assist, rearview camera and sports suspension with 20-inch alloys. On the road, there is no question this VW is dynamically superior to most SUVs.
The steering is tactile with great on-centre feel and the brakes are smooth and progressive. Body control is exceptional for a tall 2,256-kilogram sport-ute, but here comes that free-lunch thing again.
Over rough surfaces, the pitching and head-jostling is a reminder that firm underpinnings are generally a necessary ingredient for sporty handling. Still, refinement is key here. There are no crashes or thumps and on smoother roads the Touareg's manners are impeccable.
Utility is up with this redesigned 2011 Touareg. The 38-mm wheelbase stretch gives increased rear legroom and more load capacity. The rear seats flip forward, liberating 2,000 litres of cargo space. In the Highline and Execline the seat back releases are powered, as is the tailgate. The Touareg (both gas and diesel) will haul up to 3,500 kilograms with the $705 optional tow hitch.
Volkswagen has been selling diesel vehicles in North America since 1977, so it's fair to say the company knows a thing or two about oil-burners. The 2011 Touareg TDI Execline is an exceptional vehicle in every sense of the word. Frugal, fast, functional and exquisitely crafted, it can also be thought of as a relative bargain.
2011 VW Touareg TDI Execline
PRICE: $63,135, as-tested $63,840
ENGINE/POWER: 3.0L turbo-diesel V6, 225 hp; 406 lb.-ft.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (L/100km) city 11.9, hwy 8.0 claimed
COMPETITION: BMW X5 xDrive35d, Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, Audi Q7 TDI
WHAT'S BEST: Quiet and torquey diesel power, economical, quality interior WHAT'S WORST: Stiff ride, $4,000 premium for TDI
WHAT'S INTERESTING: For the 2010 calendar year, the TDI accounted for 75 per cent of Canadian sales
