Next-gen VW Touareg Spied in China

The next gen VW Touareg has been spotted testing in China. Volkswagen is expected to unveil the third generation Touareg at the 2017 LA Auto Show scheduled from December 1 to 10. It is expected to go on sale in select markets in 2018.

The design of next gen VW Touareg closely mirrors that of the  VW T-Prime Concept, which was unveiled at the 2016 Beijing Motor Show. The concept and the production spec model appear to have the same silhouette. Earlier this year in March, spy pictures of a nearly undisguised example of the new VW Touareg surfaced online. That particular unit, however, features a wider grille quite similar to the T-Prime Concept and unlike the grille that can be seen in the new spy pictures that complements the width of the headlamps.

The new Touareg will ride on the MLB Evo platform that underpins products like the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. Thanks to a substantial increase in the use of Aluminium, it will be lighter than the outgoing model.

Powertrain options that will be offered by Volkswagen will include a 2.0 L TSI petrol, a 3.6 L V6 petrol and 2.0 L TDI Twinturbo and 3.0 L V6 TDI diesel engine options mated to an 8-speed automatic. The range-topping variant of the  Touareg is likely to be powered by a 3.0 L V6 TFSI producing over 360 hp. A plug-in hybrid variant could be added to the lineup at a later stage. VW's 4Motion AWD setup will be offered as standard.

Although Volkswagen sold the previous two generations of the Touareg in India, it is unlikely to bring the new gen model here. Sales in that particular segment are driven by more premium brands like Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Land Rover. A VW branded product is unlikely to find too many takers.

[source - Noticias Automotivas]