Volkswagen Touareg TDI launched in Malaysia
Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) has followed up its recent launch of the Touareg Hybrid with the introduction of the Touareg TDI, a diesel-powered variant of Volkswagen’s flagship SUV co-developed with Porsche. This launch brings the total number of Touareg variants offered in Malaysia to three models including the 3.6 V6 FSI model currently on sale.
Under the Touareg TDI’s hood is a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 producing 242hp @ 3,800 – 4,400rpm and 550Nm @ 1,750 – 2,750rpm. Mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive, the Touareg TDI needs 7.6 seconds to complete the century sprint and maxes out at 220kph. For the environmentally conscious folk, the numbers that matter will be 7.2 l/100km fuel consumption and 189 g/km CO2 emissions.
Until recently, Volkswagen has been reluctant to introduce its range of diesel models here in Malaysia. Although the company has a strong line-up of diesel engines, these models have been kept out of the Malaysian market due to our market’s poor fuel quality and unfavourable perception towards diesel models. The Touareg TDI’s engine is a Euro III unit, allowing it to operate in Malaysia without problems. Volkswagen AG prescribes 15,000km service intervals for the TDI, but for added peace of mind, VGM will offer to check the vehicles at 7,500km intervals.
Volkswagen Group Malaysia Managing Director Mr Ricky Tay said, “As a company that takes its core ideology of producing People’s Cars very seriously, we cater to every market segment and offer a complete portfolio of vehicles. We wanted to add on to our already diverse portfolio in Malaysia. With the Touareg TDI, we are getting into the diesel car segment, a first of sorts for us in Malaysia. This vehicle is for consumers who are looking for a practical yet steady, fuel-efficient, and durable SUV.”
Tay unveiled the car to Malaysian press yesterday in the company of Mr Rainer Zietlow, the Challenge4 adventurer who recently completed a world-record breaking feat of driving 23,000km from Melbourne in Australia to St Petersburg, Russia, in just over 17 days using the Touareg TDI. Zietlow was accompanied by photographer/cameraman Marius Biela and Russian automative journalist Vadim Gagarin.
Zietlow’s Touareg TDI was a largely standard vehicle in terms of engine and transmission settings, although its interior amenities were stripped off to make way for roll cages, bucket seats, an extra 300-litre fuel tank, satellite communication equipment, and the thickest possible Continental CrossContact tyres that can fit in its wheel arches. In a follow-up press conference organized by Continental today, Zietlow mentioned that the set of tyres he started with lasted the entire journey, an impressive demonstration of durability.
The Touareg TDI retails at RM488,888 before on-road costs, thus putting it slightly above the petrol model’s RM428,888 but still well below the Hybrid model’s RM616,888. Colours available are Graciosa Brown, Cool Silver, Deep Black and Pure White.
