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2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 - Models and Pricing
The Touareg family is broken into three members, separated by engine. The base model - and the one we tested - gets Volkswagen's narrow-angle V-6 engine, known as the VR6. The engine itself receives a horsepower bump thanks to direct fuel-injection technology. It's mated to a full-time four-wheel drive system with a locking center differential and driver-selectable low-range gear. It comes standard with the Touareg's new-generation safety equipment detailed above, a conventional spring suspension, and 17-in. alloy wheels.
New for 2008, your $40,000 (including the $680 destination charge) are the revised nose - with new headlights, grille opening and more chrome - and revised rear - with LED taillights, a new roof-edge spoiler and redesigned tailpipes. Inside is a redesigned instrument cluster with new lighting, redesigned 12-way power adjustable driver's seat, and standard Sirius satellite radio. The Touareg also gets a standard power rear liftgate. Order the $2,900 Lux package and the VR6 gets "Cricket" leather, walnut wood, a front sliding center armrest, 12-way passenger seat, and adjustable HID-headlights. The Lux Plus package costs $6,300 adds keyless entry and start, Volkswagen's upgraded Dynaudio sound system, four-zone automatic climate control and heated rear seats to the Lux package. The $3,350 Technologie Package throws in an upgraded sound system, rear view camera, auxiliary input jack in the center console, six-disc CD changer in the cargo area (not in the dash), and an in-dash navigation system. Our test car had none of the above, nor did it have the $1,950 adaptive cruise control, $500 trailer hitch or $700 locking rear differential. Also not on our test vehicle was the $2,750 air suspension option (which requires the Lux package) and ability to lower the Touareg to 6.3 inches and raise it to 11.8., nor did it have the upgraded $1,200 worth of 19-inch wheels and tires.
Step up to the V-8 version and you pay $49,000 (including destination) to get a direct-injection 4.2-liter V-8 rated at 350 horsepower, up from 310 in the previous model. In addition to the VR6 model's goodies, the V-8 adds many of the items from the Lux package, leaving just the additions from the Lux Plus package at a lower price ($3,400). V-8 models also get the 19-inch wheels standard. Still, we were surprised to see that navigation, an upgraded audio system and heated rear seats were still optional at this price.
The V-10 TDI diesel offers up a 5.0-liter oil-burner that pumps out 310 horsepower and a whopping 533 lb.-ft. of torque in the 43 states in which it's available. For $69,000, you get more standard features, such as a multi-color trip computer, the air suspension, and power seat memory. However, you still have to pay extra for the navigation system, heated rear seats, upgraded audio and keyless entry and start. Clearly, value isn't the Touareg's strong suit.
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