2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

 

For the first time in 2011, the Volkswagen Touareg mid-size SUV will be offered with a hybrid engine. The gas-electric drive hybrid engine was developed jointly between Volkswagen and Porsche to save on production costs. Adapted versions of the engine will be used in the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid and the Audi Q7 SUV.

Volkswagen has long featured efficient diesel engine. 2011 will be its first year offering a hybrid engine option. Volkswagen’s TDI engine is one of the most efficient engines on the road today, allowing buyers to affordably purchase a quality, highly fuel efficient diesel power car. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI gets nearly 40 miles per gallon in combined driving. The Touareg has been offered with a diesel engine for much of the model’s life. For 2011, the Touareg will offer a 3.0-liter diesel V-6, with 225 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Touareg is also offered with a 3.6 liter V-6 gas engine, which has 280 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque.

The Touareg’s hybrid engine will be mated to a 333-horsepower, 3.0 liter supercharged V6 engine, which is used in the Audi S4 sedan. In addition to a 47-horsepower electric motor, the Touareg hybrid will have a combined 380 horsepower. It will use an eight-speed transmission. The model is anticipated to get combined mileage of at least 29 miles per gallon. This engine will replace the Touareg’s gas V-8 engine offering.

  

The vehicle features stop-start functionality, which turns the engine off when stopped instead of idling. Up to a speed of 31 miles per hour, the engine can run on electric power only. Once at road or freeway speeds, the V-6 will shut down and run on electric power only unless acceleration is needed. Once released, the 2011 Touareg should offer one of the best hybrid engines on the road.

  

Even though it was built on the same platform of the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, the VW Touareg has seldom found many a customer in India. With that said, we can only expect the new model to more appealing. This car comes with several modifications over the current model, with an upgraded front fascia and a slightly redesigned rear end.

 

Earlier reports suggested that the next Touareg will be a lot different under the bonnet than in exterior styling when compared with its predecessor, with the German manufacturer struggling to make the SUV a bit more relevant at times of struggle.