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production...Disappointing, but I believe this has something to do with Fed Law Changes regarding Diesel #2 Fuel and cleaning up as it is in Europe and the fact that Diesel truck emissions are different than passenger cars... The performance level of diesels in Europe is fantastic. Those engines don't work over here on our lousy high-sulfur fuel. The trucking lobby has managed to stall requirements for better diesel fuel for years and it's only now starting to happen.
Personally, I'd love to own a turbodiesel-powered SUV. Great mix of fuel economy, torque for towing, and durability. Rumor has it that Dodge is planning to put a Cummins in their Durango soon. Toyota has always had a really strong diesel in the Land Cruiser but it doesn't get imported to North America.
Because of the deplorable diesel in this country we have to miss the opportunity to choose from one of those diesel engines, I say lets give the diesel clean up project to the snails and we may speed up things.
Bob
An encounter with the ML 499CDI.
http://207.182.236.112/default.asp?id=1&ACT=5&content=8&mnu=1
Thanks for the link.
Bob
you can also get to it by reading the phaeton story and looking at the links displayed.
There was a truckload of new VW's and 3 of them were wagon/SUV shaped vehicles completely wrapped in the shipping plastic except for the front and rear windows. You couldn't see a thing. I don't follow this topic - I know of this vehicle but it was odd to see them wrapped up like that.
Of course Boston is a huge import location for VW's so it doesn't suprise me to see them here. The port location is near my office so I like to go by there at times to see what's coming off the boat.
If people hardly even take their $25-$30 SUVs off the road, I doubt anyone would for the $50+K Touareg!
Cheers
Pat
Heres a few bits and pieces which have been made available lately:
Article on the September 26th world premier of the Touareg at the Paris Motor Show:
Click here for article
New pics from VWVortex:
Offroad--
Click here for offroad pic 1
Click here for offroad pic 2
Click here for offroad pic 3
Closeup of the NAV--
Click here for closeup of NAV
Can anybody else provide more information or details? I'd especially be curious if it will be available with a 6-speed manual ...there's been conflicting reports about this.
TIA
--'rocco
Bob
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That said, the Touareg looks great, inside and out, and I'm anxious to give it a closer look and test drive once it arrives. A few questions if anyone knows:
1. Will VW dealers provide loaners, wash the car, etc. when you take these higher-priced "luxury" vehicles in for service?
2. Will free scheduled maintenance be provided, like their Audi brand? (I own two Audi's and have come to really appreciate this).
3. Will the V10 diesel definitely be coming the U.S.? If so, when?
This dealership is a rather low volume dealer which is located in a smaller town that is not a bedroom community of a major metropolitan city. They already provide excellent service for their VW clients and even though not required to do so, wash cars after they are serviced. People whom Ive talked to that have purchased VWs there, tell me that they feel as if they get treated no differently than an Audi customer.
The decision to offer service loaners is usually up to the individual dealership. I know many Audi dealerships that dont offer them for routine scheduled services. The only stipulation that comes from Audi of America is that they'll reimburse the dealer for a service loaner to be given to the customer if the car has to be kept over night for warranty repairs.
So, my suspicion is that VW dealerships which are chosen to sell the Touareg and Phaeton will be a cut above the ordinary VW dealer. There is a VW salesperson (vwguild?) who posts on many of the Town Hall VW forums who could probably give more definitive answers to these questions. I know there have been many discussions on the Phaeton forum about this subject and he has given many explanations on Volkswagens future dealership plans. I really haven't followed those discussions so you might peruse the Phaeton forum (or it could have even been in the Passat forum<?>) to see where these discussions were taking place.
Will free scheduled maintenance be offered on the Touareg and Phaeton? I would suspect so. You'd have to think that they'd want to offer that just to stay competitive with their competition.
From what Ive been reading, the V10 diesel will be delayed coming to the U.S. because they need as much time as possible to fiddle with the smog controls so that it will be able to meet the stringent California emmisions requirements. I believe I read that on one of the VWVortex forums. If I can find it, I'll post the link later. What comes to my mind at the present time is a mid 2004 introduction. Oh wait, I found it (third article down on the following page): Click here and go to the third article on the page
And the links below lead to one of the most comprehensive articles I've seen so far pertaining to the Touareg (I have not even read them completely myself):
Click here for part 1
Click here for part 2
--'rocco
p.s. please excuse the lack of apostrophes ...Edmund's software must be goofing off this morning.
And what VW's plans for their distribution network for the Phaeton and Touareg, was called something like "brand standards" and has all been discussed, I believe, on the Phaeton forum. Maybe I can get vwguild to give us a quick reiteration on it again.
--'rocco
Heres another extremely comprehensive article that just came out yesterday ...an 8-page synopsis on almost everything you might want to know about the Touareg (some of it is a rehash of the previous article I posted):
Click here for article from GermanCarFans
--'rocco
I have a MarketPlace Ltd. Edition print, framed & hanging on the wall behind my desk...the not so subliminal message is the *2003* above the door as the address...
Cut to May 2001/Berlin, Germany/Dealer Principal
Meeting...Brand Standards Program introduced and incorporated into the *Basic Dealer Agreement*...
All VWOA Dealers are to be compliant with Brand Standards by the end of this Quarter...
Although all VW Dealers will have *the opportunity* to sell the Phaeton & the Touareg... logic dictates that only those with State of the Art facilities and a Technical Staff that has been trained on these products will actually get that opportunity.
VWAG has invested hundreds of millions Euros on the development & production of these vehicles. The No. Am. Dealers that have embraced this vision & the dedication and level of commitment that will be required to serve the Phaeton & Touareg customer will be rewarded... Those that have not will most probably *miss* this opportunity...
And I realize that most reports state that the Touareg won't be offered with a manual transmission here in N.A. but can you confirm that for sure. I suppose a vehicle of that size and configuration wouldn't have much of a demand for a 6-speed manual here in the states but I'd for sure wait for it if offered in the VR6 version. Obviously the six speed automatic would be logical for the V8 and the especially for the TDI but I'd sure like to see a manual available with the V6.
--'rocco
U.S. Government is giving oil companies until 2006 to clean up our diesel - big oil is fighting it every step of the way.
I'd be in hog heaven if we could get the diesels that Europe enjoys - I have an X5 which I would have gotten with the BMW Europe only diesel. I'm a huge fan of VW's, I'd abandon BMW for a comparable VW in a heart beat. I think VW's move up-market will be a success as long as their dealers are kept in line.
--'rocco
--'rocco
"VW SETTING U.S DIESEL STRATEGY
Look for Volkswagen to bring its stump-pulling V-10 turbo-diesel to the U.S. inside the new Touareg SUV – but not until the second quarter of 2004, according to Matthias Kroll, the sport-ute project’s director. The Touareg/V-10 package is receiving early raves from the media, but Kroll cautions VW doesn’t want to bring that diesel powerplant in immediately. Instead, the German automaker believes it needs a “really clean” diesel system that will use new trap technology to filter out particulates in order to meet increasingly stringent emissions standards. VW’s current diesels cannot be sold in California, and could be pushed out of the U.S. entirely by mid-decade without the new pollution hardware, which Kroll hints is now in the active testing stage. When the V-10 is added to the U.S. Touareg powertrain list, Volkswagen also intends to bring to the U.S. updated versions of its four-, six- and possibly its five-cylinder diesels, which would be used in the Jetta, Golf and Passat models. Currently, diesels command little demand in the States, but a growing number of industry officials believe they could see a sharp rise in demand, especially if Mideast issues force up fuel prices. In Europe, where gasoline often tops $5 a gallon, diesels currently have about a 40-percent share of the market. —Paul Eisenstein"
--'rocco
Additionally, Truck emission standards are, of course, different than those for passenger cars...
That's what I thought.
So, in all probability, we really can't rely on anything that author states?
--'rocco
of Diesel, and that is true primarily because of
perception vs. reality.
A vast number of people believe that all diesel engines spew clouds of black smoke, they smell, they are loud, and that Diesel#2 fuel is hard to find.
Diesel #2 is available everywhere, and the common ground of the other complaints is secondary to driving behind buses, big trucks, and MBZ 300SDs...;)
So maybe there's hope.
--'rocco
Changing subjects a little, what do you guys think of the Touareg's looks? From the pictures I think it's one of the best-looking SUV's I've seen, even nicer than the BMW and Volvo, IMO. The feature content looks great too, especially the air suspension which I've really come to appreciate in my allroad - great for towing as it stays level no matter the rear-end load.
I'm also wondering how it will track and drive, compared to the X5 for example. I really don't want to go back to a truck-like (typical SUV) ride. The handling + go factor is what interests me - if they're both really good I plan to take a real good look at this vehicle, but I'm in no rush as our '98.5 A4 (which the Touareg would conceivable replace) still drives and looks great.
For me, where the Touareg really shines is its instrument cluster. It's definitely the best I've seen on any vehicle, IMO. The interior in general, from the pics I've seen, also looks much nicer than the X5's.
And in my case, it's the tranny that will make the decision for me. If it's offered with a 6-speed manual, I'll buy one for sure. If not, I guess I'll try to pick up an allroad if they're not discontinued before the Touareg is actually available.
As for the handling, I'd have to suspect that it won't be as good as your allroad because of its higher center of gravity but it should outperform the X5 ...I'd have to imagine.
The acceleration and torque of that V10 TDI sounds amazing ...in fact, everything about that engine sounds amazing. Let's see how long it is before we get it here; if we ever get it here. I know it won't be available with a manual tranny but if I were ever considering towing a trailer, I'd definitely would consider it.
--'rocco
From the picture I've seen the interior is extremely good looking, I hope VW would offer a 7 seaters SUV along the road. However, if its priced exactly the same as X5 or ML I would definitely not go for a VW. Luxury brand have much better service facility, people just treat you better. A lot of my friends is making fun of the new phaeton, cause if VW have Audi and Bentley why need another luxury brand?
I DO think the Touareg (specs, looks and on paper) looks to be a very well-executed vehicle. I'm interested, and when I go to take a closer look I'll be much more interested in observed quality of the materials, how it drives and dealer service committment than how I perceive the VW brand based on its reputation.
Base V6 model with greatly reduced chrome trim on front grill and no chrome around the windows and lower side panels:
click here
V10 TDI with Extreme Package which includes additional skid plates and outside mounted spare:
click here for pic 1
click here for pic 2
Jeff-- No prices announced for N.A. yet. Probably will be announced in the second quarter of 2003 from what I'm hearing. If you were implying that your hope is that its pricing will be under the X5 and ML, I seriously doubt it. Rumor is that the base V6 will start somewhere around 35k but I'd have to believe once desireable options are added that it will be quite a bit over the 45k mark. V10 TDI could be hovering in the 55-60k range which suggests that the 4.2 will be somewhere in the range of 50k.
--'rocco
I agree that the outside mounted spare would seemingly cut down on rear visibility. It would also appear to undermine the versatility of the rear window since the window is designed to open independently (if one so chooses) from the rest of the tailgate hatch.
Overall though, the Touareg is quite impressive.
Speaking of the bracket: isn't that one of the most nicest looking designs around??! ...no hinges showing and a very integrated look.
Joel-- yes, Richard is correct. It is an option and also is a component of the "Extreme Package" which is an off-road package of sorts. The standard spare will be a space-saver located under the cargo area accessible from the inside ...from what I've read.
--'rocco
The versatility I was thinking of is the occasional item (e.g. ladder) that, if needed, could protrude out the rear window opening. Granted, maybe not the safest thing to do and it is unknown whether the window could securely stay up for such purposes but, it is something many have done at one time or another. Just a thought.
I understand the Touareg will have some type of a sophisticated cross-bar system on the roof but it isn't apparent from the pictures we've seen. I saw it in one article and now I can't remember which one it was. I'll hunt around for it and post it if or when I find it.
--'rocco
Now give me a break!!!! Whenewer is convenient, off roading is a big factor, hypocresy, througth the years I have started some off roading topics and they all die for lack of interest as well as others. I am a hard core off roader and when I talk about the subject people starts to yarn, so bunks to all that off roading crap.
Lets talk about something that really concerns people or a more usefull option and that is towing, at close to 8,000lbs of towing capacity conbined with that V10 diesel the Touareg will really shine, and that extra weigth will really be usefull.
"The Touareg feels as alert and agile as a BMW X5 despite massively superior off-road ability, which augurs well for the architecturally similar Porsche Cayenne. This came home to us on a series of fast bends in which the hefty VW gripped hard, could be placed precisely with well-weighted steering, held on to its line and gave a good impression of quite a sporty car - which is exactly what Volkswagen, to our initial scepticism, claims. Seldom has a 4x4 felt more stable, inspired such confidence and hidden its bulk so well. This applies to both the V10 and the V6, but the diesel car is much the more amusing with its mass-defying torque. Both are disarmingly effortless off-road."
To view the entire, extremely comprehensive, 4Car review and rating of the Touareg, click on the following link. It's a 5 page article that not only contains an extensive review but also provides a pictorial listing of features where you lay your cursor on a number and it gives a corresponding feature, many of which weve not heard about so far. Be sure to view all five pages.
Click here for page 1 of 5 of the 4Car article.
And here's the info on the roof rack contained in the article from GermanCarFans:
"For transporting athletic equipment, rooftop luggage or other loads on the roof, C-rails made of aluminium profiles for fastening a roof-carrier system developed especially for the Touareg are standard equipment. The two crossbars of this aerodynamically optimised system can, if not required, be disassembled or pushed together and to the back of the vehicle, where they form a visually harmonic unit with the roofline."
click here for picture #1
click here for picture #2
--'rocco