Volkswagen Toureg R50, Performance Diesel SUV

[Joey D]

Since the automotive world...well at least the European, more specifically the German automotive world has gone diesel crazy and VW has proved this with there new sports SUV.

Volkswagen is taking its R-series of hopped-up rides to the next extreme with the release of the Touareg R50 next week at the Australian International Motor Show. V-Dub claims that the R50 will be one of the most powerful SUVs on the market, producing 313 HP and 553 lb.-ft. of torque from its retuned V10 TDI. The R-treatment also includes upgraded wheels wrapped in high performance rubber, a revised suspension, some VW Individual aero bits and a restyled interior.

VW's scant press release is posted after the jump, and expect more to follow once the AIMS gets underway next week.

PRESS RELEASE
In another world premiere for the Australian International Motor Show, Volkswagen has announced it will unveil its new Touareg R50 in Sydney next week (11 October). Developed by a team of specialists at Volkswagen Individual GmbH, the Touareg R50 is one of the most powerful SUVs in the world. While Volkswagen has yet to announce detailed specifications, it promises the R50 boasts "generous" increases on the 230kW of power and 750Nm of torque produced by the current V10 TDi model on which it is based. Bigger wheels and tyres and tweaked suspension complete the high-performance package. Volkswagen Individual GmbH has also designed new exterior and interior features to reflect the R philosophy.

The R50 is the third model to appear under Volkswagen's sporty R label, following in the footsteps of the Golf R32 and the new Passat R36 - which was launched last month at the Frankfurt motor show. All three models have 4MOTION all-wheel drive to guarantee optimal traction.

Might not have as much horsepower but my God look at the torque number!

 

[DQuaN]

I'd like to see how quick this can tow a jumbo!

 

[Bram Turismo]

I'll pass, if the stock Toureg wasn't expensive enough already...It looks nice though 👍

 

[Tommi]

Wow, another pointless High performace SUV for the England Cricket team:tdown:, although it does look pretty cool:tup:

 

[Muzaffar]

I'd like to see how quick this can tow a jumbo!

Hmm....I like to see how quick the SUV really is as well. It is a big clam saying that the R50 will be one of the most powerful SUVs on the market. It could very well compete with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.

 

[Race Idiot]

Hmm....I like to see how quick the SUV really is as well. It is a big clam saying that the R50 will be one of the most powerful SUVs on the market. It could very well compete with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.

I bet it's faster than the Audi Q7 4.2 V8 diesel and those things can haul serious arse.

 

[YSSMAN]

All I can say is "Yes, please!" but VW won't sell it here... Its hard enough just getting a "regular" V10 TDI one here anyway...

 

[Philly]

Ooh. Nice. The V-10 TDI is one of the few SUVs on my list right now. And it has the looks to go with.

Too bad gearing, suspension and tires will keep it from doing anything an SUV is designed for except being big.

 

[Tornado]

To bad about the grill. The rest of the refreshened Touareg looks pretty good.

 

[Jim Prower]

Hm...Torque still just shy of the Duramax, Power-Stroke, and Cummins....

But not everyone needs a dually.

 

[Joey D]

Not to mention I'm guessing this things weighs a whole lot less then a dually does.

 

[Philly]

Or that this is probably designed more with road performance in mind than towing a cruise ship.

 

[YSSMAN]

But not everyone needs a dually.

Not all of those must be duallys to be purchased. My Dad considered buying a Silverado HD Crew Cab with the Duramax over the Avalanche, but it was too expensive...

...The Duramax will live on, there is a new "hot-shot" 4.8L diesel V8 around the corner at GM as well...

 

[Joey D]

Here is the new gallery from Sydney:
R50 Auto Show Gallery

And here the press release from Volkswagen via Autoblog

The Touareg R50: World Premiere in Sydney

Impressive power: The V10 TDI of the Touareg R50 develops 350 PS of power and 850 Newton-meter of torque

Exclusive features: Distinctive exterior, leather sport seating system, 21-inch wheels and air suspension sport chassis

Wolfsburg / Sydney, October 08, 2007. In a world premiere, Volkswagen will be presenting the Touareg R50 on October 11 at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Its power of 258 kW / 350 PS (at 3,500 rpm) positions the new Touareg version among the most powerful SUVs in the world. The Touareg R50 can be ordered in Germany at prices starting at 88,260 Euro; it will be introduced to the market this November.

The engine characteristic of the Touareg R50 is marked by a torque level nearly unattainable by the competition: The V10 TDI of the Touareg R50 develops its enormous power of 850 Newton-meter at a low 2,000 rpm. The turbo diesel was derived from the well-known ten cylinder with 230 kW / 313 PS. Adjustments to its turbo charging and modified engine management enabled a 28 kW / 37 PS increase in power and a considerable 100 Newton-meter increase in maximum torque. Under these new parameters, the SUV accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds (production car: 7.4 seconds); its top speed is 235 km/h. In relation to engine power and vehicle size, the fuel consumption of the production ten-cylinder diesel equipped with a particulate filter is a moderate 9.6 liters per 100 km (highway) and 12.6 liters per 100 km (overall). Despite big gains in power and torque, its DIN fuel consumption values have remained constant compared to the Touareg V10 TDI.

In keeping with the performance potential of the R50, Volkswagen Individual designed new exterior and interior features according to the R philosophy. From the outside, the new Touareg R50 is easy to recognize with its 21-inch Omanyt type alloy wheels and size 295 tires, blue painted brake calipers, discrete wheel well flares, side skirts and distinctive bumpers (Sport Design Package), as well as a modified radiator grille (in a matte finish chrome).

Offered exclusively on the Touareg R50 is the car color "Biscay blue". Blue hues of this type have been typical of the high-powered R models since the first Golf R32 was introduced in the year 2002. Offered as optional car colors on the Touareg R50 are "Campanella white", "Reflex silver", "Black Magic" and "Atacam gray".

The car's extensive features also include an air suspension sport chassis: The so-called "Driving dynamics package with adaptive roll compensation" and chassis lowered by twenty millimeter supplements the "Sport" mode of the manually or automatically controlled air suspension by achieving a stiffer spring rate.

On the inside, the SUV's features include a sport seating system in anthracite-colored nappa leather with R50 logo integrated in the headrests. The logo was also integrated in the stainless steel tread plates. Also in keeping with the sporty character of the Touareg is the light-colored "engine spin" decor of the interior – a metallic structure similar to that previously used on race cars – as well as metal worked caps for the accelerator and brake pedals. An R50 logo also decorates the gearshift lever of the six-speed automatic transmission (Tiptronic). Standard features the Touareg R50 also include a winter package (including seat heating for the rear seats), the Premium Memory Package (including electrically adjustable seats, steering column and seatbelt height), net partition behind the rear seats and a ski sack.

And here is what Autoblog had to say about it

On sale this November, the Volkswagen R50 is the German automaker's first attempt at a performance oriented SUV. After seeing the R50 live in person at the 2007 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, our man on the floor reports back that Wolfsburg has a winner here. The R50 is based on the Touareg TDI with the firm's 5.0L V10 diesel engine. In R50 guise, the V10 gets an ECU tweak to pump more pressurized air from the twin turbos to produce 350 HP at 3,500 RPM and peak torque of 627 lb.-ft. at 2,000 RPM. That's good for a 0-62 MPH run of only 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 146 MPH. Plus you'll be styling and profiling on 21-inch rims framing bright blue calipers.

Check out VW's press release after the jump and view our live shots in the updated gallery below.

 

[TheCracker]

I love the idea of the V10 TD Toureg, but the increased power and torque figures for this R50 are pathetic compared to what you can get from a chip/ECU reprogram for a very moderate outlay.

 

[Joey D]

Very true but my guess is that the components in the Toureg can't with stand a tremendous jump in power without some major reinforcing. I'm sure the people who buy this will have no problem chipping the thing though, I can't wait to see some videos of one putting down almost a 1000lb.ft.