VW Touareg PHEV Debuts at Geneva

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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25th February 2020

Volkswagen will debut its popular full-size SUV Touareg with a PHEV powertrain at next week’s 2020 Geneva Motor Show.

The marque’s top-of-the-range R model features a system with a power output of 458bhp employing a 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged gasoline engine with 336bhp and a 122bhp electric drive motor and a lithium-ion battery with an energy capacity of 14.1 kWh built into the underbody below the luggage compartment. An 8-speed automatic triptronic gearbox and a transfer box transmits the power to the standard 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

The system also claims 516ft-lbs of torque and is designed for a maximum trailer weight of up to 3.5 tons. It’s also the first PHEV model available with Trailer Assist – a system for automated maneuvering with a trailer and this is also possible with purely electric power.

Drivers can control the battery’s charge level using a menu in the infotainment system. If the navigation system is active, the battery manager also looks ahead, predicting the route and topography data to the adapt battery use and enhance the electric range.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_