Review: Volkswagen 7L Touareg (2003-10)

Review: Volkswagen 7L.I Touareg (2003-07)

Overview

Released in September 2003, the Volkswagen 7L Series I (7L.I) Touareg was a five-seat, four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Bratislava, Slovakia, the VW 7L Touareg range initially consisted of the 3.2 V6 and 4.2 V8 variants, with the V10 TDI following in 2004. In October 2004, the range was expanded with the 2.5 R5 TDI, while the 3.2 V6’s engine was also modified for more power. In November 2006, the range was revised with the introduction of the 3.6 V6 FSI and 3.0 V6 TDI, while the 4.2 V8 was discontinued. All variants were fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Dimensions

The Volkswagen 7L Touareg platform was developed in conjunction Porsche and formed the basis for the Porsche Mk.1 Cayenne and Audi 4L Q7 . The 7L Touareg was 4754 mm long, 1925 mm wide, 1725 mm tall and had a 2855 mm long wheelbase; ground clearance was 237 mm.

Suspension

The VW Touareg had double wishbone suspension front and rear, while the Touareg V10 TDI was fitted with Volkswagen’s ‘Continuous Damping Control’ (CDC) air suspension system for the front and rear axles which provided variable damping according to conditions and could increase ground clearance to 300 mm.

4XMOTION

The VW 7L Touareg was fitted with Volkswagen’s ‘4XMOTION’ system which provided permanent four-wheel drive via a transfer box with off-road gear ratio reduction and three locking differentials (with a dashboard switch for manual control); an electronic rear differential lock was optional. In normal conditions, the front:rear torque split was 50:50, though all torque could be directed to either axle if required. The system also included hill descent control.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen 7L.I Touareg included dual front airbags (including a switchable front passenger airbag), front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, engine braking control, active front seat head restraints, front and outer rear seatbelts with pretensioners and front seatbelt load limiters.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a VW 7L Touareg 2.5 R5 TDI received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.47 out of 37. This score, however, included two points for seatbelt reminders which were not standard on Australian vehicles until 2005. In the frontal impact test, there was a slight risk of serious leg injury for the driver due to hard structures behind the fascia. In the side and pole impact tests, however, the Touraeg received maximum points.

Features

Standard features for the Volkswagen Touareg 3.2 V6 and 2.5 R5 TDI included 17-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker sound system with CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lamps, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a rear cargo blind, two-piece tailgate, trip computer and immobiliser. Until November 2006, the 2.5 R5 TDI and 3.2 V6 variants were also available in ‘Luxury’ editions; these added leather seats, heated front seats, heated washer jets and woodgrain interior trim.

Compared to the Touareg 3.2 V6 and 2.5 R5 TDI, the Touareg 4.2 V8 added 18-inch alloy wheels, a six-stack CD player, Nappa leather seats, twelve-way power adjustable front seats with heating, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, steering wheel gearshift paddles, memory settings (seats, steering wheel, mirrors), heated washer jets and an alarm.

Finally, the VW Touareg V10 TDI was distinguished by its 19-inch alloy wheels, four-zone climate control air conditioning, cooled glovebox, satellite navigation with five-inch colour monitor, bi-xenon headlights, multi-function steering wheel, power sunroof, tyre pressure monitoring, proximity key and power tailgate.

November 2006: Touareg update

With the range revised in November 2006, the 2.5 R5 TDI gained a six-disc CD player, front and rear parking sensors, power adjustable front seats, rain-sensing wipers, a cargo net and alarm. Beyond this, the 3.0 V6 TDI and 3.6 V6 FSI added ‘Cricket’ leather upholstery, power adjustable and heated front seats, walnut and brushed aluminium interior highlights and an alarm system. However, the V10 TDI was no longer equipped with satellite navigation, sunroof and a wood/leather steering wheel as a result of a price-cut.

Review: Volkswagen 7L.II Touareg (2007-10)

Overview

Released in July 2007, the 7L Series II (7L.II) Touareg introduced improved safety equipment, cosmetic updates and a more powerful 3.0 V6 TDI variant. The 7L.II Touareg could be identified by its new bonnet, head and tail-lights, grille, streamlined wing mirrors and roof-mounted spoiler; inside, there was a new instrument cluster and seat and door trim. In April 2008, the Touareg range was expanded with the introduction of the R50 variant.

Safety equipment

Unlike its 7L.I predecessor, the Volkswagen 7L.II Touareg was fitted with ‘ABS plus’ which allowed the disc brakes to lock on loose surfaces, thereby reducing the stopping distance compared to the previous ABS system. Furthermore, the 7L.II Touareg had a rollover protection system which could detect an imminent rollover and pre-emptively deploy the curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners.

Features

Standard features for the Volkswagen 7L.II Touareg 2.5 R5 TDI included 17-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker sound system with six-disc CD player, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a multi-function leather steering wheel, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear fog lamps, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, height adjustable front seats, cargo blind and net, roof rails, a 12 volt power outlet, trip computer and immobiliser.

The Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI and 3.6 V6 FSI were further equipped with ‘Cricket’ leather seats, twelve-way power adjustable and heated front seats, heated washer jets, woodgrain interior highlights and an alarm.

Beyond this, the Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI featured 19-inch alloy wheels, an eleven speaker sound system with eight channel amplifier, four-zone climate control air conditioning, Nappa leather seats, proximity key, folding mirrors, memory settings (front seats, seatbelts and mirrors), bi-xenon headlights, front fog lamps and tyre pressure sensors. As before, the V10 TDI was fitted with pneumatic suspension with continuous damping control.

Finally, the Touareg R50 was distinguished by its 21-inch ‘Omanyt’ alloy wheels with blue painted brake calipers, steering wheel gearshift paddles, privacy glass, discrete wheel flares and roof-mounted spoiler.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Volkswagen 7L Touareg