A powerful start: The new Touareg
V6 TDI in a severe test as a service vehicle in the Dakar Rally
Photos: Volkswagen
The Dakar Rally 2007 begins
in 18 days. Five Race-Touareg 2s are involved as favourites and
several new Touareg V6 TDIs as service vehicles. This will be a
last trial before the second generation of the globally
successful off-roader is delivered to the first customer at the
beginning of 2007. The opinion of off-road experts: cars that
can survive such a 9,000 kilometre desert adventure as the Dakar
Rally can withstand anything.
Without the service Touareg,
it would be impossible to compete in a rally of the Dakar
calibre. Very similar to the standard model, the Touareg V6 TDIs
will ensure that the crew, tools, spare parts, tents and
provisions are always close behind the race Touareg 2s during
their fierce drive through the desert. The competing cars will
also be supported by three race trucks, seven service trucks and
three Volkswagen T5 Transporters.
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The service vehicles are
technically little different from the standard Touareg of the
second generation, which recently went on order, as the base
model already provides the ideal basis for the trip through the
Sahara. In both cases, a 165 kW / 225 bhp six-cylinder TDI with
diesel particle filter ensures a powerful drive. At as little as
1,750 revolutions, a power band in which other engines are just
waking up, the V6 TDI develops its maximum torque of 500 Nm.
If needed, the Touareg can also carry up
to 3,500 kilograms of equipment. Both in the Dakar and the standard
versions, the 4XMOTION four-wheel transmission ensures maximum traction.
Of course, there are differences in the
equipping in comparison with the standard model. Special "Dakar extras"
are indispensable for the service Touareg V6 TDI, which is to pass from
Portugal through Spain, Morocco, Mauretania and Mali to Senegal:
long-range tanks, all-terrain tyres, sand deflectors, roll bars, bucket
seats with six-point belts, a special navigation system programmable for
off-road purposes, satellite telephone and a location system for
emergencies are included.
The second generation of the Touareg will
be launched on currently with the "Dakar" with the first customers.
Technically and visually modified in numerous ways, the premium class
off-roader with the 174 bhp/128 kW five-cylinder TDI is available at
prices from 41,450 Euros (42,521.88 Euros*).
The Touareg V6 TDI, the standard
model of the service Touareg, costs 44,950 Euros (46,112.50 Euros*) with
six-speed manual gearbox and 47,125 Euros (48,343.75 Euros*) with
six-speed automatic gearbox. Volkswagen also offers the Touareg as a V10
TDI (313 bhp/230 kW), as a V6 FSI (280 bhp/206 kW) and, for the first
time, as a V8 FSI (350 bhp/257 kW). All TDI variants are equipped as
standard with a maintenance-free, diesel particle filter.
