Not just another crossover

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2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 - Notable Features

Despite the "2" in its name, the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 is what the industry calls a "minor model change," and what everyone else calls a "refresh." Still, Volkswagen packed a lot of technology into the 2, the vast majority of it under the slightly refreshed sheetmetal. Aside from the more powerful set of engines which we'll discuss later, there are additional functions added to the stability control, all of which are designed to improve the Touareg's driving dynamics and increase its safety envelope.

The Hydraulic Braking Assistant charges the braking system fully if the throttle is suddenly disengaged, which the vehicle's computer interprets as an impending collision. Active rollover protection (ARP) uses the stability control to enhance rollover resistance, and the brake system is designed to apply more brake pressure in cases of brake fade. Understeer Control Logic improves the vehicle's dynamics if it understeers in a corner, that is, when the front tires lose traction. Another safety supplement is the ESP dry braking function, which engages the brake linings with the disc at repeated intervals, thus wiping away any water that may accumulate when the road is wet.

The Touareg also has what Volkswagen calls ABSPlus. It's designed to enhance stopping not only on pavement, but off, too. It works by temporarily locking a wheel when on dirt, which is actually more helpful than keeping the wheels spinning. By locking the wheel, a small amount of dirt, rocks and other debris forms in front of the tire, acting as a wheel chock, and helping to slow the car by as much as 20 percent faster, according to Volkswagen.