Touareg R: VW's most powerful model set for Australia

Volkswagen is set to introduce its most powerful model to Australia – the Touareg R.

The flagship version of the German brand’s large SUV is the first electrified R production model, combining a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine and an electric motor.

VW Australia is in discussions to confirm the addition of the plug-in-hybrid performance SUV which produces 340kW and 700Nm between the two different forms of motor.

“We didn’t initially think we would be in line for the Touareg R, and PHEVs were previously off the table for us, but two things have happened to create a potential opportunity,” said Volkswagen Australia spokesperson Paul Pottinger.

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“Our V8 Touareg models were so successful they’re now almost impossible to find at dealers, and the R would be a natural fit to replace them as the range’s halo vehicle.

“And we had an undertaking from the Federal Government that our petrol quality wouldn’t remain among the worst in the world.”

The Touareg R brings more power than the 310kW twin-turbo diesel V8 featured in the Touareg 310TDI R-Line and Wolfsburg variants, though can’t match their maximum torque of 900Nm.

The all-wheel-drive Touareg R has a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.1 seconds, which will make it the fastest variant available when it arrives.

While slower than the 4.9 seconds of the outgoing 310TDI, the Touareg is significantly quicker than its R50 predecessor sold between 2008 and 2010. That 5.0-litre V10 twin-turbo diesel Touareg performed the benchmark sprint in 6.8 seconds.

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A distinction for the R, however, is that it can be driven for up to 47 kilometres on its 100kW/400Nm electric motor alone (figure based on Europe’s WLTP testing cycle).

This contributes to a low WLTP fuel consumption figure of 2.7L/100km, with CO2 emissions rate at 62g/km. This compares with the 310TDI’s 7.5L/100km and 185g/km.

The Touareg R’s speed is limited to 135km/h on electric power, though a 250km/h top speed is possible when the 250kW/450Nm also comes into play.

Volkswagen says the Touareg R, which shares its platform and drivetrain with the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, has an approximate combined driving range of 810km.

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Charging time for the SUV’s 14.3kWh battery pack, which powers the electric motor, is quoted at eight hours using a standard 2.3kW power socket, or 2.5 hours with a 7.2kW EV home charger.

The Touareg R rolls on 285/45R20 tyres, has a braked towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, and offers a boot capacity of 665 litres.

While it’s too early for VW Australia to confirm pricing for the vehicle, the Touareg R would be expected to be priced similarly to the V8 variants it would replace. The 310TDI costs from $136,490 in R-Line trim, and from $139,990 as the Wolfsburg special edition.

This would also price the Touareg R below the $148,000 Cayenne E-Hybrid twin from VW Group sister brand Porsche.

The VW Touareg R would make 2022 an even bigger year for Volkswagen’s high-performance models. The next-generation Golf R hatch and wagon, plus the first ever Tiguan R and T-Roc R SUVs are already confirmed for next year.