Diesel from Deutschland

by Joe LaMuraglia

Saturday, March 31st – Being an automotive journalist/small business owner/nomad, I am constantly on the go. So much so that my significant other has requested that I produce a calendar for him so he can keep up with my whereabouts! Most of my recent travel has involved long-lines at the airport, screaming babies and claustrophobia-inducing airplane seats. So when I had to make plans to attend the auto show in New York next week, I intended to avoid airports altogether and asked my friends at Specialty Transport for a suitable vehicle to make the trip from Atlanta to New York City. They responded with a 2006 VW Touareg V10 TDI.

The Touareg arrived yesterday and in the short time I was able to tool around Atlanta, it impressed me on a myriad of levels. It is a very attractive vehicle that eschews the typical “look at me, I’m a brute SUV” styling and delivers a very sophisticated, organic design. The interior is typical VW/Audi with quality materials, generally good ergonomics and a substantial feel to it. The 2007 model has some improvements but we wanted to evaluate most interesting aspect of this VW – the engine. It is a V10 turbo diesel that you have to drive to believe. It is simply awesome. It is quiet, refined and freaking FAST. I look forward to putting it through its paces on the road. Off to NC for a birthday party for two nieces and one nephew. Sunday brings 9 hours in the car with my 79 year-old mother. Keep me in your thoughts!

Monday, April 2nd – We made it to CT from NC in just under 10 hours. I forgot to factor in the additional hour that it takes to get to my sister’s house from NYC. The Touareg performed flawlessly. We cruised considerably north of legal speeds and it always felt that we were barely moving. The V10 turbo diesel always had reserve power when I needed it and it never failed to elicit a cheer from my mother in the passenger seat. She kept saying that she was waiting for us to “take off”. According the trip computer, we averaged 22.4 MPG on the trip. Considering our speed and the size of the engine, that is VERY impressive. Expect to pay dearly for the advanced Diesel technology that makes the high MPG possible though. The sticker on this baby is $67,000+ and that doesn’t include satellite radio!

The Touareg is parked for the next few days as I am in NYC for the NY Auto Show. If you read other reviews of this vehicle, you’ll notice that most journalists comment on the lack of a third row and a tight back seat. After fighting for a parking spot here in lower Manhattan, I am overjoyed that the designers made this a 5-passenger vehicle rather than a 7-passenger. The design equates to a tight turning circle, shorter overhangs and an overall smaller vehicle. All of the above combined with the rear-view camera allowed me to park the VW in a space that had been vacated by a Toyota Corolla only seconds before. I felt like I was in a Seinfeld episode as I exited the vehicle and looked around to find someone to share my amazing parking feat with. Alas, this being NYC, no eye contact was made. Point being; the Touareg is a perfect size for 4 adults and luggage and has the added advantage of being easy to park. If you want a three-row vehicle, look at the Audi Q7. More after my drive back South this coming weekend.

Wednesday, April 11th – Well, the Touareg and I made it back to GA last night. After spending a week in its prime parking space in Battery Park City, I headed north to CT for the holiday weekend with my relatives. If you’ve ever driven in New York City, specifically up the West Side Highway and north to the Saw Mill Parkway, you know that the roads are less than perfect. They are narrow, pothole ridden and full of insane NY drivers. I am happy to say that big VW handled it all with nary a shudder. Most of that can be attributed to its solid structure and awesome pneumatic suspension. I left in on “Auto” most of the time and it delivered a superb ride.

When the time came to head south, neither my ageing mother or I dreaded the drive. We actually looked forward to it for a few reasons, one of which was the relative peace and quiet the sumptuous interior of the Touareg would provide after a weekend with four rambunctious children. The vehicle provided a much-needed refuge as the big oil burner powered us effortlessly down the highway delivering an average of 23 MPG along the way. That is 1 MPG more than is estimated by VW and I am hardly a light foot. Can you tell I was impressed by this engine?

As much as I liked the Touareg, there were a few things that I thought were glaringly absent in a vehicle this price. In addition to the lack of Satellite radio, there was no setting for Automatic headlights and the keyless entry system was very temperamental. All of the above should be remedied with the introduction of the Touareg 2 at the NY Auto Show. The new VW will come with more powerful V6 and V8 engines and will carry over the gorgeously addictive V10 TDI. If you are in market for an incredibly capable SUV and don’t need to carry more than 4 (5 in a pinch) people, make sure you include the VW Touareg in your shopping. If you have the cash and want to be different, spring for the V10 TDI. It will put a smile on your face every time you step on the diesel pedal.

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