For 2019, the Volkswagen Touareg will benefit massively from the Audi Q7’s 4.0-litre V8 TDI engine. In fact, the new Touareg TDI is the most powerful VW in production.
The previous generation Volkswagen Touareg bowed out of the North American market in 2017 in favour of the Atlas. Although most enjoyed the Touareg’s size and performance, at the time of the decision, there wasn’t enough room between the upcoming larger Tiguan and the 3-row Atlas to justify keeping it onboard.
There was that and, all along, VW of North America was already working on its replacement which we’ve seen as the Atlas Cross Sport. More than likely, we’ll also get a pickup version under what seems to be shaping up as the Atlas sub-brand in the form of the Tanoak concept.
As such, if you were thinking that VW was nearsighted when they decided to pull the plug on the established and mostly appreciated Touareg from their North American portfolio, you might be no more than 10% right.
Having said all that, the new Touareg is doing well in other markets and, to continue to grow its appeal, Volkswagen has dropped Audi’s honking-ly powerful 4.0-litre turbodiesel V8 under its very handsome bonnet. The stats are practically earth-shattering. The V8 puts down 416-horsepower and 664 lb.-ft. of torque.
This kind of oomph catapults the big brute to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds (!) on its way to a governed top speed of 250 km/h. And yes, it is said to meet Europe’s latest 6d-TEMP emissions standards.
And no, it’s not coming back. At least, we severely doubt it.
