After 1.2 million units: Volkswagen Touareg with "Final Edition"

Production of the Touareg with a combustion engine will end in 2026. For Volkswagen, this is the occasion to launch the "Touareg Final Edition". Volkswagen first ventured into the premium segment 23 years ago with the Touareg and the Phaeton saloon. Since 2002, the luxury-class SUV has impressed customers with its superior character, high level of comfort and modern high-tech features. The edition model can be ordered from 75,025 euros until the end of March 2026.

With its first off-road vehicle, Volkswagen entered a new vehicle segment and wanted to raise the brand to a higher level. Thanks to its dimensions, equipment and technology, the Touareg quickly established itself in the luxury class. Despite its size, it always appeared with a timelessly discreet design. The interior was stylish, high-quality and comfortable across all generations - complemented by numerous technical innovations. Initially, Europe and Germany in particular were the most important sales markets. Today, the Touareg is sold in 39 countries. More than 1.2 million units have been sold to date.

Touareg I (from 2002)

Immediately after its market launch in autumn 2002, the Touareg became one of the most acclaimed SUVs in its class with innovations such as electromechanical roll stabilization and CDC air suspension with six-stage level control. Water crossings of up to 58 centimeters and inclines of up to 45 degrees were possible.

The top model was the Touareg V10 TDI with the most powerful diesel installed at Volkswagen at the time. The 230 kW (313 PS) five-liter ten-cylinder engine generated 750 Nm of torque and accelerated the 2.5-ton SUV to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. The top speed was 225 km/h. The Touareg I was built from 2002 to 2009 and was a great success in the luxury class with over 471,000 units sold.

Touareg II (from 2010)

The second generation grew in width and length. Aerodynamic bumpers and a redesigned radiator grille emphasized the sporty elegance. At the same time, Volkswagen presented its first hybrid vehicle, the Touareg 3.0 V6 TSI Hybrid. The turbocharged V6 petrol engine with 245 kW (333 PS) was supported by a 34.3 kW (46 PS) electric motor. This recovered energy during braking and fed it into the battery. The system output was 279 kW (380 PS) and the maximum torque was 580 Nm. The Touareg II accelerated to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and reached a top speed of 240 km/h. Combined fuel consumption: 8.2 liters of Super per 100 kilometers. Over 483,000 vehicles of this generation were sold between 2010 and 2018.

Touareg III (from 2018)

The third generation has a more dynamic character with sharper lines, generously clad bodywork and a steel-aluminum structure made from lightweight materials. The wheelbase has grown to 2.904 meters and the vehicle height has been reduced by seven millimeters - this makes for an even more attractive appearance. The cockpit has been completely redesigned and offers digital innovations, modern connectivity and assistance systems. The optimized electromechanical active stabilization detects rolling movements up to 400 times per second and compensates for them optimally.

A new top model, the Touareg R Hybrid, has been at the forefront since fall 2020: a plug-in hybrid with 340 kW (462 PS), 700 Nm of torque and a top speed of 250 km/h. More than 265,000 Touareg IIIs have already been sold worldwide since 2018.

VW Race Touareg

The Touareg also set standards in off-road racing. With the "Race Touareg" specially developed by Volkswagen Motorsport, VW became one of the dominant teams in the Dakar Rally. Three overall victories in a row - 2009 with Giniel de Villiers, 2010 with Carlos Sainz and 2011 with Nasser Al-Attiyah - underline this. The prototypes' greatest strengths included their robust construction, dynamic all-wheel drive and exceptional reliability.

Touareg "Stanley

In 2005, the Touareg "Stanley" won the prestigious "Grand Challenge" of the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) in California - as one of the first intelligent vehicles in automotive history. In the desert race in Nevada, 23 autonomous vehicles started, only four reached the finish line. "Stanley" completed the 212-kilometer route in 6 hours, 53 minutes and 58 seconds without human intervention and was the first to cross the finish line. The vehicle was a joint project between Volkswagen and several research centers. Equipped with laser scanners, stereo cameras, GPS and specially developed control software, "Stanley" navigated precisely through the terrain. The victory marked a milestone in the development of autonomous vehicle systems.

Touareg towing a jumbo jet

In 2006, Volkswagen caused an international sensation with a world record: A near-production Touareg V10 TDI pulled a Boeing 747 weighing around 155 tons over a runway. With its torque of 750 Nm and a modified chassis, the SUV moved the jumbo jet over 150 meters and brought it safely to a halt again. For the experiment, the Touareg was loaded with over four tons of additional weight in order to transfer the power optimally to the ground. The engine, transmission and air suspension remained as standard - impressive proof of its performance and robustness.

Touareg on the Panamericana

In 2011, the Touareg V6 TDI proved its endurance: a team led by long-distance driver Rainer Zietlow completed the legendary "Panamericana" from Tierra del Fuego in Argentina to Alaska in just eleven days, 17 hours and 22 minutes. The 22,750 kilometer route led through 17 countries and almost all climate zones. The Touareg beat the previous world record by four days. (aum)