Volkswagen Touareg

The Touareg 2 is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sport-utility, available in 3 trims, ranging from the VR6 FSI to the V8 FSI.

The VR6 FSI is equipped with a standard 3.6-liter, V6, 280-horsepower engine that achieves 13-mpg in the city and 18-mpg on the highway. The V8 FSI is equipped with a standard 4.2-liter, V8, 350-horsepower engine that achieves 13-mpg in the city and 18-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.


Blings:

* Impeccable interior
* Innovative side headlights that light up when the car is in a turn
* Adjustable ride suspension really works and it adjusts the auto height automatically
* Auto sensing rain wipers worked flawlessly
* So many controls to play with and I never had to open the manual
* The electronic parking assist is a great tool. The rear camera also displays graphics to indicate where the car is going.
* Ahh luxury. Driver and passenger both have powered seats; the kids in the rear have their own climate control and their own heated seats.

Dings:

* Cargo room is limited
* Folding rear seats is painful to operate
* Sunroof is tiny
* Exterior styling seems unchanged from the previous Touareg
* No iPod dock

Ruling: This is a luxury SUV.
Our test car was equipped with the 4.2-liter V-8, four-corner air suspension with towing and off-road options. The car is a dream to drive with its 350 hp V8 engine and adaptive 6-speed automatic transmission. It accelerates effortlessly at any speed and torque is available with minimal downshifts. The Touareg doesn’t feel like a rocket as verified by its 7.6 second 0-60 acceleration. It is a heavy car after all and the driver is insulated from exterior noise and road imperfections. We can say speed comes effortlessly for this car with 324 lb-ft of torque under your control.

As we threw the car around some twisty roads, it did feel a bit high and body roll started to rear it’s ugly head. So we put the suspension in “sport” mode and the car felt more responsive in corners and road feel was improved. The car lowered itself by a couple of inches as well and that improved body roll. We hit the Auto-Height button once more and the car squatted down another inch. Mountain roads were actually quite fun when “sport” mode was engaged.

2008 VW Touareg 2 - Dynaudio speakerAs the weather got worse, the Touareg 2 seemed to feel more comfortable. We were insulated from the wind and the pelting rain outside as we enjoyed the Dynaudio speakers inside. The rain-sensing wipers worked flawlessly without a single adjustment from us. During our long drive in the wet and less than friendly weather, the wipers kept pace with the rainfall rate and kept the water out without that dreaded wiperblade squeak.

Interior

The interior is as nice as any Audi, Lexus or Mercedes we’ve driven. It looks flawless and the controls are well-positioned and intuitive. Each of the four occupants are pampered with their own climate control and heated seats.

The keyless entry system is the best of breed as well. Just leave the key in your pocket when entering the car and the proximity sensor will recognize it and unlock the car. Start and stop the car with a button in the traditional place where the ignition key is usually placed. To lock the car when you leave, simply press a rubber button on the door handle. It’s a no brainer, as it should be!

Volkswagen Touareg - interior Volkswagen Touareg - 4-passenger climate controls Volkswagen Touareg - center console controls

We were excited to try the the Dynaudio equipped audio system as these speakers are some of the best in the auto world today. It was very good, but not great. The Mark Levinson systems in the Lexus and Dynaudio system in the Volvos are still our favorites.

Styling

Styling is decent. It’s much better than the Porsche Cayenne but not quite on par with the new BMW X5. However, our biggest complaint is the styling is hardly distinguishable from the 5-year old first generation Touareg. I mean, even the badging is unchanged and doesn’t indicate Touareg 2.

Who Should Buy It?

If you demand luxury in your all-terrain and all-weather vehicle, the Touareg 2 fits the bill. Consider the V6 to cope with the high gas prices and a lower sticker price. The V10 turbo diesel (TDI) model has slightly better fuel economy numbers than the V6 and it has 553 lb-ft of torque for those who require the towing capacity of a big truck.

volkswagen passat cc 2009

2009 Volkswagen Passat CC - First Drive Review

When was the last time you heard somebody, anybody, describe a Volkswagen as sexy? Don't get us wrong, Volkswagen cars have their appeal, and we're particularly fond of the GTI, but they don't have the kind of attractiveness that inspires teen-age boys to put a poster on their bedroom walls. The Passat CC isn't really that type of car, either, but it's a step in that direction and, depending on your styling preferences, could even be considered sexy.

Volkswagen calls the Passat CC a four-door coupe. If that sounds familiar, it's because that is exactly how Mercedes-Benz describes its CLS-class. The Passat CC unashamedly borrows from that idea, taking most of its underpinnings from the standard Passat, as does the CLS from the E-class. But instead of everyday-family-sedan styling, the Passat CC looks, well, more like a coupe. The windshield and the roofline are more steeply raked, and the body is longer (by 0.7 inch), lower (by 2.2 inches), and wider (by 1.3 inches); the wheelbase is the same. Besides the unique sheetmetal, the Passat CC has unique doors, seats, and instruments. All told, VW tells us the CC version shares about 50 percent of its parts with the original sedan.

True to the coupe theme, the Passat CC has only two seats in back, with a small storage console and fold-down armrest in the middle. Unlike in a coupe, there’s actually plenty of legroom. Headroom isn’t as much of a compromise as the roofline would suggest and is far better than that of the Mercedes CLS. Passengers over six feet tall will be brushing the headliner, but anyone shorter will find plenty of comfort.

As one would expect considering the similarities, the Passat CC drives just like a Passat. The steering is sharp, if somewhat lacking in feel, and the suspension is taut but compliant over rough surfaces. When the Passat CC goes on sale this fall, U.S.-bound cars will come with a 200-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four or a 280-hp, 3.6-liter V-6.

The V-6 can also be ordered with 4MOTION, Volkswagen’s all-wheel-drive system. Our preview drive, however, was in European-spec cars with slightly different engines. The 3.6-liter over there makes 295 horsepower, and the turbo engine is a 158-hp 1.8-liter. Even with the large difference in outputs, we still prefer the quick-revving turbo with a manual transmission. The V-6 feels heavier in front, and the dual-clutch transmission (which won’t be available in the U.S.; we get a traditional six-speed automatic) is slow to react unless you’re using the manumatic mode.

The European-market Passat CC can be ordered with adaptive cruise control, ventilated front seats, and lane departure prevention, but those options won’t make it to North America, at least initially. We do get available adjustable shocks and a new, touch-screen navigation system that’s a big improvement over VW’s current navigation.

Overall, the Passat CC is a good compromise between style and practicality, especially if you don’t need to transport four passengers at once. The catch, then, is the price. Actual numbers haven’t been announced yet, but expect to pay from $1500 to $2000 more than the cost of a Passat for its faux-coupe brother: roughly $27,000 for a base 2.0T, $38,500 for the V-6, and about $40,000 for a V-6 with all-wheel drive.

SPECIFICATIONS

Brakes
Brake Type	Pwr
Brake ABS System	4-wheel
Brake ABS System (Second Line)	N/A
Disc - Front (Yes or )	Yes
Disc - Rear (Yes or )	Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness	12.3 x -TBD- in
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness	11.0 x -TBD- in

Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume	13.0 ft³

Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity	7.6 qts

Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)	N/A
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)	140

Engine
Engine Order Code	N/A
Engine Type	Gas I4
Displacement	2.0L/121
Fuel System	TSI
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM	200 @ 5100-6000
SAE Net Torque @ RPM	207 @ 1700-5000

Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase	106.7 in
Length, Overall	188.9 in
Width, Max w/o mirrors	73.0 in
Height, Overall	55.8 in
Tread Width, Front	61.1 in
Tread Width, Rear	61.4 in
Min Ground Clearance	5.0 in

Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx	18.5 gal
Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx	N/A gal

Interior Dimensions
Passenger Capacity	4
Passenger Volume	93.6 ft³
Front Head Room	37.4 in
Front Leg Room	41.6 in
Front Shoulder Room	56.0 in
Front Hip Room	N/A in
Second Head Room	36.6 in
Second Leg Room	37.3 in
Second Shoulder Room	54.7 in
Second Hip Room	N/A in

Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City	21 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy	31 MPG
Cruising Range - City	388.50 mi
Cruising Range - Hwy	573.50 mi

Steering
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall	16.4
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)	3.0
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb	35.8 ft
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall	N/A ft

Suspension
Suspension Type - Front	McPherson concept
Suspension Type - Rear	4-link fully independent
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)	w/triangular wishbones, coil springs
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)	w/telescopic shock absorbers
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front	N/A mm
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear	N/A mm
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front	N/A in
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear	N/A in

Tires
Front Tire Order Code	N/A
Rear Tire Order Code	N/A
Spare Tire Order Code	N/A
Front Tire Size	P235/45R17
Rear Tire Size	P235/45R17
Spare Tire Size	Compact

Transmission
Drivetrain	Front Wheel Drive
Trans Order Code	N/A
Trans Type	6
Trans Description Cont.	Manual w/OD
First Gear Ratio (:1)	3.36
Second Gear Ratio (:1)	2.09
Third Gear Ratio (:1)	1.47
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)	1.10
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)	1.11
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)	0.93
Reverse Ratio (:1)	3.99
Clutch Size	N/A in
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)	3.94/3.09

Vehicle
EPA Classification	Mid-Size

Weight Information
Base Curb Weight	3300 lbs

Wheels
Front Wheel Size	17 x 7.5 in
Rear Wheel Size	17 x 7.5 in
Spare Wheel Size	N/A in
Front Wheel Material	Alloy
Rear Wheel Material	Alloy
Spare Wheel Material	N/A

ENTERTAINMENT
2-DIN Premium VII AM/FM stereo w/6-disc in-dash CD/MP3 changer, (8) speakers, auxiliary input jack
Diversity antenna

EXTERIOR
17" "Phoenix" alloy wheels w/anti-theft locks
P235/45R17 self-sealing Nailguard all-season tires
Compact spare tire
Body-color bumpers
Chrome exterior trim -inc: front grille, window surrounds, body moldings
Automatic halogen projector lens headlights w/coming home feature
Front fog lights
Body-color heated pwr mirrors
Tinted glass
Variable intermittent windshield wipers
Body-color door handles

INTERIOR
Heated leatherette front bucket seats -inc: 12-way pwr driver seat, 8-way pwr passenger seat
Front center armrest w/storage
(2) front/(2) rear cupholders
(2) pwr outlets -inc: (1) in front center console, (1) in center console rear
Front/rear floor mats
Illuminated footwells
Leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping multifunction 3-spoke steering wheel
Steering wheel cruise controls
Trip computer
Digital compass
Ambient temp display
Pwr windows w/one-touch up/down
Pwr door locks
Remote keyless entry
Remote trunk release & fuel filler door
Alarm system
Engine immobilizer
Climatic single-zone climate control w/pollen/odor filter
Rear window defroster
Illuminated locking glovebox
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
(2) front/(2) rear assist grips
Sliding visors -inc: illuminated vanity mirrors w/covers
Dual front/rear reading lamps
Grocery bag hooks in trunk
Trunk light
(1) pwr outlet in trunk

MECHANICAL
2.0L TSI I4 engine
6-speed manual transmission w/OD
Front-wheel drive
4-link fully independent rear suspension
Sport suspension
Electromechanical speed variable pwr steering
4-wheel anti-lock (ABS) disc brakes

SAFETY
Electronic stabilization program (ESP)
Daytime running lights
Dual front airbags
Dual front side-impact airbags
Dual front/rear head curtain airbags
Passenger airbag cutoff
Front 3-point height-adjustable safety belts
Rear 3-point safety belts in outboard seating positions
Child safety rear door locks
LATCH child restraint system
Trunk escape handle
Tire pressure monitoring system

SAFETY & WARRANTY

Warranty
Basic: 3 Years/36,000 Miles Drivetrain: 5 Years/60,000 Miles Corrosion: 12 Years/Unlimited Miles Roadside Assistance: 3 Years/36,000 Miles
Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA CRASH TEST RESULTS: Frontal crash ratings: Driver: * * * * Passenger: * * * * Side crash ratings: Driver: * * * * * Rear Passenger: * * * * Results based on a 35 MPH frontal crash and 38.5 MPH side crash. Results are reported in a range of one to five stars, with five stars indicating the best crash protection for vehicles within the same weight class. This test used driver and passenger belts and airbags. NHTSA ROLLOVER RESISTANCE RATING: * * * * The Rollover Resistance Rating is an estimate of your risk of rolling over if you have a single vehicle crash. It does not predict the likelihood of that crash. The Rollover Resistance Rating utilizes a "fishhook" maneuver which is a series of abrupt turns at varying speeds to see how "top-heavy" a vehicle is. The more "top-heavy" the vehicle, the more likely it is to roll over. The lowest rated vehicles (1-star) are at least four times more likely to roll over than the highest rated vehicles (5-stars).
Standard Safety Features
4-wheel anti-lock (ABS) disc brakes
Automatic halogen projector lens headlights w/coming home feature
Front fog lights
Body-color heated pwr mirrors
Leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping multifunction 3-spoke steering wheel
Electronic stabilization program (ESP)
Daytime running lights
Dual front airbags
Dual front side-impact airbags
Dual front/rear head curtain airbags
Passenger airbag cutoff
Front 3-point height-adjustable safety belts
Rear 3-point safety belts in outboard seating positions
Child safety rear door locks
LATCH child restraint system
Trunk escape handle
Tire pressure monitoring system
Optional Safety Features
REAR SIDE AIRBAGS