9 February 2011
New car report; The people's SUV.
It may come as a surprise to many that the New Zealand car market sector experiencing the highest rate of growth at present is the SUV sector, with the total SUV market share having risen from 17.2% in 2004 to 26.9% YTD in 2010. And so far in 2010, approximately one in two Large Segment vehicles sold in New Zealand is an SUV.
The reasons for the shift towards SUV’s are many and varied, but suffice to say they suit the Kiwi lifestyle, and since manufacturers have been increasing their focus on fuel efficiency, SUV’s are an attractive proposition, and many buyers have been abandoning large cars in favour of SUV’s.
Since they launched their first generation Touareg here in 2003, Volkswagen’s New Zealand distributor has sold over 700 units, and with the introduction of the second generation model, they predict even higher numbers.
Retaining many of the classic styling elements of the previous model, the new Touareg is an entirely new vehicle and weighs in at around 200kg less than its predecessor. Adopting the new family face, the new model is 41mm longer, 12mm wider, 17mm lower and 38mm longer in the wheelbase, with an increase of 25 litres luggage capacity and additional interior occupant space, with almost three times as much knee room for rear seat passengers.
Three models will be available, two 3.0 litre V6 diesels and a 4.2 litre V8 diesel.
The entry level model will be offered with a 150kW V6 TDI engine, producing an estimated 400Nm of torque and returning an estimated fuel consumption of 7.4L/100km.
A 176kW V6 TDI will also be offered, with a torque figure of 550Nm and returning a similar fuel consumption figure to the entry level model. The top of the range Touareg will be the V8 TDI which produces 250kW and a whacking great 800Nm of torque. The V8 is said to use 9.1L/100km.
The V10 unit in the outgoing model will no longer be offered due to its inability to be tuned to meet Euro 6 emission standards which will be mandated in Europe in 2014.
All models feature a slick and impressive 8 speed automatic transmission and the weighty transfer box has been dispensed with, reasoning that very few luxury SUV’s venture far from the black-top. For those of the off-road persuasion, a “Terrain Tech” package with 4XMOTION with low range is available as a $4,500 option on V6 models only.
All models get seven airbags including a driver’s knee bag, Park Distance Control front and rear, climate control air conditioning, leather seats, Bluetooth and roof rails.
The TDI 150kW comes standard with 17 inch alloys and halogen headlights, while the TDI 176kW adds 18 inch alloys, privacy glass and higher quality Vienna leather seats which are electrically adjustable.
Extra goodies for the V8 extend to 19 inch alloys, air suspension, bi-xenon headlights, Nappa leather, satellite navigation with reversing camera, upgraded interior finishes, heated steering wheel with paddles and keyless entry and start.
An easily operated 6.5 inch touch screen is standard fitment in V6 models, with the sat nav and camera unit in the V8 up-sizing to an 8 inch unit, which is available as a $5,000 option on V6’s.
Our drive route north of Auckland in the TDI 176 V6 and TDI 250 V8 took in a variety of road surfaces including some gravel, and both vehicles impressed. It's well balanced for an SUV, sitting firmly on the road while leaning more towards luxurious and comfortable than sporty and hard.
Both offer more than adequate grunt, particularly the TDI 250 which has the capability of sprinting to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds, two seconds quicker than the TDI 176.
Initially, the two top models go on sale in New Zealand priced at $106,000 for the TDI 176 and $139,000 for the TDI 250.
The price leading TDI 150 will follow early in 2011, priced at $92,000. All are tow rated at 3,500kg for braked trailers and 750kg for unbraked.