Volkswagen Touareg R ditches V8 for 340kW Turbo V6 PHEV

On this World EV Day Volkswagen can confirm that its first vehicle capable of running on battery power – the Touareg R – is approved for sale in Australia and is scheduled to arrive toward the end of 2022.

This Plug-in Hybrid EV, whose combined electric motor and turbo petrol V6 delivers performance comparable to the now discontinued Touareg V8 turbo diesel, will also be the fifth R performance model to join Volkswagen’s local line-up next year.

The Touareg R will follow the Golf R, Golf R Wagon, Tiguan R (all due in late quarter one) and the T-Roc R (quarter three).

Unlike these, which run high performance versions of Volkswagen Group’s 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo petrol engine, the performance SUV runs a 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine paired to a 100kW/400Nm electric motor to develop a combined 700Nm and 340kW – the latter figure representing more power than any production Volkswagen.

Drive goes to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabling a 5.1-second sprint from zero to 100km/h – barely behind the Tiguan R and T-Roc R.

Power for the electric component of the Touareg R’s drivetrain is supplied by a 14.3kWh lithium-ion battery mounted beneath the boot floor. A self-charging hybrid, it can be charged either on the run using the combustion engine as a generator or via plug-in means at up to 7.2kW on an AC wallbox, or 10A domestic power point, for a full charge in 2.5 hours.

An electric range of some 47km is possible on the WLTP cycle, while an electric only top speed is rated at 135km/h – higher than our legal highway speed limits. Despite its hybrid drivetrain, the Touareg R’s towing weight remains strong at 3500kg.

Further Touareg R details will be announced next month along with the entire 2022 R range.