Volkswagen Touareg R

The third-generation Volkswagen Touareg crossover SUV has gained the long awaited R version and this high performance version tries to evoke memories of the legendary R50 of the past in a different kind of way.

The Touareg R, priced at 86,850 Euros plus additional costs, is a whole different kind of beast because for the first time in VWR history, it's a PHEV in the name of green business. Yes, Volkswagen's in serious business to shake off its dirty image by going electric and this new Touareg R is one of them.

First and foremost, it works like a normal Touareg. You still get the same luxurious interior fit for five, the same boot space, the same gadgetry some speedo boys may find it disturbing, and so on, but since this is the R version, the exterior design feels like it's got injected with steroids' to make it look macho every way it goes. When parked near the grocery store or a shopping center, people might think that there's a macho athlete and his family are on the go and that's the first impression of the Touareg R.

Because it's a plug-in hybrid, in tune with the times, the Touareg R features a 3.0L V6 turbo engine bolted to an electric drive motor, a 14.1kWh li-ion battery, an 8-speed Tiptronic, and 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive. That setup produces up to a superb 462PS of power and 700Nm of torque, making it capable of going from 0-100kph in 5.1 seconds and top speed electronically limited to 250kph. This crossover can chew the RAV4 PHV alive on the road and looks like Volkswagen's on the roll now.

It maybe not as sharp as a Porsche Cayenne but for a plug-in hybrid SUV, the Touareg R loves making a statement on and off the road, well almost because it was made to be enjoyed on the road more than off the road like most high-performance crossovers do. It maybe bulky but it's addictive and some are very jealous to drive one.

Of course, like all fast SUVs, it's got loads of advanced safety features that will scare a speedo boy straight but this one's different because it comes with Travel Assist that works even on speeds up to 250kph. Flashy but still it can scare him straight on the German motorways, and that's not all because the Touareg R is the first and only plug-in hybrid SUV that comes with Trailer Assist so towing stuff at the back never felt so good.

The Touareg R really is the spiritual successor of the legendary Touareg R50 from many years ago and with its clean credentials, uncanny performance, powertrain, tech, and more, it really is the real beginning of the new VW R lineup.

Photo: Volkswagen