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I have always thought of the Touareg as a pretty good looking SUV. Even though it may not have the glam-factor of Audi's Q7, or the distinctive, fearsome, gaping frontals of its cousin, the Cayenne, it still does a brilliant job upholding its stature. And that's just about the exterior.
I had the opportunity to take the "Treg" through some of our most challenging twisties late one night, and have been left a little baffled since. In a similar way which the tight-and-hard-turning Maserati Quattroporte did, the Touareg certainly was not very far from leaving a similar impression.
Through the bends, it felt so controllable, and even on the edge, it would gently remind you not to go too far ? and all that whilst in the utmost of comfort, without much drama. You could chuck it into a turn hard and fast, but it would barely throw you off your seat. Its body roll is so well-controlled that it would put to shame most other sedans on the road.
While you are seated a lot higher than most other motorists on the road, it does not wallow about, whatever the road condition.
I had the opportunity to take the "Treg" through some of our most challenging twisties late one night, and have been left a little baffled since. In a similar way which the tight-and-hard-turning Maserati Quattroporte did, the Touareg certainly was not very far from leaving a similar impression.
Through the bends, it felt so controllable, and even on the edge, it would gently remind you not to go too far ? and all that whilst in the utmost of comfort, without much drama. You could chuck it into a turn hard and fast, but it would barely throw you off your seat. Its body roll is so well-controlled that it would put to shame most other sedans on the road.
While you are seated a lot higher than most other motorists on the road, it does not wallow about, whatever the road condition.
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In Traffic
City traffic will not leave you in frustration, well, not as much as it would have in most other cars, because the comfort levels in this SUV are just amazing. And while you won't be seeing lots of fancy trim details, the sensation is still not that of a S$184,000 car. It's beyond that.
Build quality seems to have been stepped up and you certainly will have a hard time looking for creaky bits and loosely-fit covers. While it isn't what you might expect from an Audi, it certainly does not disappoint.
Riding in it definitely sends a pleasurable tinge of luxury and stateliness through your nerves. And that is because it is just that much magnificent.
The gentle growl of its V6 on the highways calms your senses, yet subtly reminds you of its powerful disposition. The auto 'box might not be what you would expect from a DSG, but to be honest, if this Touareg were fitted with a DSG, it could have very well spoilt the fun. It might spoil the whole posh-y experience by letting in too much of sporty characteristics. And that's why, despite my love and respect for the dual-clutch system, I'd rather have the automatic. It's no split-second shifter, but it doesn't disappoint either.
And I would not need to get started on its practicality. Look in the boot and all that matters from then on is one small little detail - a chromed handle, which lifts the boot floor lid to reveal its spare tyre. Yes, a chromed handle!
City traffic will not leave you in frustration, well, not as much as it would have in most other cars, because the comfort levels in this SUV are just amazing. And while you won't be seeing lots of fancy trim details, the sensation is still not that of a S$184,000 car. It's beyond that.
Build quality seems to have been stepped up and you certainly will have a hard time looking for creaky bits and loosely-fit covers. While it isn't what you might expect from an Audi, it certainly does not disappoint.
Riding in it definitely sends a pleasurable tinge of luxury and stateliness through your nerves. And that is because it is just that much magnificent.
The gentle growl of its V6 on the highways calms your senses, yet subtly reminds you of its powerful disposition. The auto 'box might not be what you would expect from a DSG, but to be honest, if this Touareg were fitted with a DSG, it could have very well spoilt the fun. It might spoil the whole posh-y experience by letting in too much of sporty characteristics. And that's why, despite my love and respect for the dual-clutch system, I'd rather have the automatic. It's no split-second shifter, but it doesn't disappoint either.
And I would not need to get started on its practicality. Look in the boot and all that matters from then on is one small little detail - a chromed handle, which lifts the boot floor lid to reveal its spare tyre. Yes, a chromed handle!
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Turning the wheel about with such ease also contributed to the confusing experience. To provide an analogy, it is like when you pick something up using more strength than required, because you thought it was going to be heavy, and only after having almost swung it upwards, realise that you have made yourself look a little dumb. It isn't absolutely numb and lifeless, but it could do with a little more feedback.
After all, if they had bothered to fit in some decent off-roading capabilities into it, it would only be logical that whoever was behind should naturally feel some feedback from the terrain. So, strange it was that the steering felt this easy to deal with.
After all, if they had bothered to fit in some decent off-roading capabilities into it, it would only be logical that whoever was behind should naturally feel some feedback from the terrain. So, strange it was that the steering felt this easy to deal with.
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Space
Forget comparing the luggage capacity in litres; you know it doesn't matter because you can always fold the centre-row seats down if you need more space.
If anyone is already performing some mathematical calculations on that, chances are they're probably in their mid 40's and above, walking around with a comb over, thick glasses draped over their dreary eyes, with shirts tucked tightly into brown trousers too short to not expose their socks. You probably won't catch them holding on to the spec sheet of a Touareg. Maybe to one of a C***l*a, but definitely not this.
Forget comparing the luggage capacity in litres; you know it doesn't matter because you can always fold the centre-row seats down if you need more space.
If anyone is already performing some mathematical calculations on that, chances are they're probably in their mid 40's and above, walking around with a comb over, thick glasses draped over their dreary eyes, with shirts tucked tightly into brown trousers too short to not expose their socks. You probably won't catch them holding on to the spec sheet of a Touareg. Maybe to one of a C***l*a, but definitely not this.
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On Buying One and Pollution
Yes, the fuel consumption might be just as pleasing as your kid's Chinese language grades (or maybe mine), but who cares? While awaiting the boffins to properly develop some economically viable alternative energy solution, you might as well use the petrol. "While we still have oil in the world", they might say. Sorry to burst your bubble, darlings, but there is still a lot more of that where it came from, and we're definitely in no hurry to save all the ice caps and snow-wolf-lake bears.
Not when our own turned green anyway.
Let me put it this way. George Bush travels around a lot in his jet-liner, Air Force One. The ratio of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted for every trip he makes to the number of passengers he has on that thing, is definitely not something which will impress Green Peace. And, he does it a lot. Why doesn't he fly in a Cessna instead? That would stop Alaska from melting, wouldn't it?
More importantly, large cars like these make up an infinitesimal percentage of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. So a few more Touaregs on the road is not going to hurt. It's not even going to do anything at all, except of course beautify our roads, and make your commuting a lot safer.
If the world's population's average income suddenly doubled or tripled, I wouldn't be surprised if this car achieved the Beetle's cult status. It's no fashion bug, but it is that good. And the world will still be in one piece.
Yes, the fuel consumption might be just as pleasing as your kid's Chinese language grades (or maybe mine), but who cares? While awaiting the boffins to properly develop some economically viable alternative energy solution, you might as well use the petrol. "While we still have oil in the world", they might say. Sorry to burst your bubble, darlings, but there is still a lot more of that where it came from, and we're definitely in no hurry to save all the ice caps and snow-wolf-lake bears.
Not when our own turned green anyway.
Let me put it this way. George Bush travels around a lot in his jet-liner, Air Force One. The ratio of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted for every trip he makes to the number of passengers he has on that thing, is definitely not something which will impress Green Peace. And, he does it a lot. Why doesn't he fly in a Cessna instead? That would stop Alaska from melting, wouldn't it?
More importantly, large cars like these make up an infinitesimal percentage of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. So a few more Touaregs on the road is not going to hurt. It's not even going to do anything at all, except of course beautify our roads, and make your commuting a lot safer.
If the world's population's average income suddenly doubled or tripled, I wouldn't be surprised if this car achieved the Beetle's cult status. It's no fashion bug, but it is that good. And the world will still be in one piece.
Specifications -
Price: $184,000
Engine: 3.6-litre, V6, 24-valves
Power: 280Bhp @ 6200rpm ( 77.8bhp/litre)
Torque: 360Nm @ 2500rpm
Transmission: 6 -speed Auto
Length/width/height: 4754 / 1928 / 1726 mm
Wheelbase: 2855 mm
Kerb weight: 2544 kg
0-100km/h: 8.6 sec
Price: $184,000
Engine: 3.6-litre, V6, 24-valves
Power: 280Bhp @ 6200rpm ( 77.8bhp/litre)
Torque: 360Nm @ 2500rpm
Transmission: 6 -speed Auto
Length/width/height: 4754 / 1928 / 1726 mm
Wheelbase: 2855 mm
Kerb weight: 2544 kg
0-100km/h: 8.6 sec
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