VW Touareg - In Depth

Press Release

Body Construction Volkswagen Touareg - The safety of a luxury sedan

• Safety systems set the highest standards among off-road vehicles
• The Touareg’s dimensions already leave the competition behind

At 4754 mm long, 1928 mm wide, 1726 mm high and with a wheelbase of 2855 mm, the Touareg belongs to the class of large off-road vehicles. But at the same time Volkswagen sets the Touareg apart from the competition with these dimensions. Its fully galvanised body is the longest and widest in its segment and spans the greatest wheelbase. But at the same time, the Touareg is lower than all other large off-road vehicles � an important point in its total concept. This dimensional ratio results in an especially dynamic and elegant appearance. But there is no loss of interior height. There’s more: The interior features are first class and the Touareg V6’s luggage compartment, with 555 to 1570 litres of space (Touareg V10: 500 to 1525 litres), is one of the largest in its segment.
Two-piece tailgate with separately opening window;
body concept supports the excellent off-road features The large tailgate and the separately opening window guarantee optimum accessibility. The two-piece tailgate, opened by invisible spring absorber units, also offers a high degree of technical aesthetics. The tailgate is unlocked electromechanically and optionally closed via an electrical closing aid for the lock. But it is not just the classical dimensions and functions that distinguish the body of an off-road vehicle. Just as important for the off-road behaviour are the front and rear overhangs. Measured from the centre of the axle, the front overhang is 926 mm and the rear overhang 973 mm. The result � both front and rear � is a 28º angle of slope (air suspension: 33.2º): ideal for a state-of-the-art, variable-use SUV. With a complex, three-part door-seal system designed to keep water out, waterproof headlights (as well as waterproof connectors, a special guide for the intake air and engine ventilation, and sealed jointed shafts), the Touareg can ford depths up to 500 mm (580 mm with air suspension). Galvanised body with extremely high torsional rigidity and above-average 100 kg maximum roof load The fully galvanised construction of the Touareg body is characterised by especially high static and dynamic rigidity. A highlight of its static rigidity is the excellent torsional rigidity and its even distribution along the entire body structure. Criteria that provide the ideal conditions for the optimum design of the running-gear properties. They also guarantee the flawless functioning of doors, bonnet and boot lid, with extremely narrow gaps in all operating conditions. The dynamic torsional rigidity of the galvanised steel body is also extremely high with a value of over 40 Hz. It forms the basis for excellent vibration characteristics and the Touareg’s outstanding driving comfort. The state-of-the-art joining processes used in production � such as laser-welding and laser-soldering � also make play a role. Thanks to the innovative body structure, the engineers were able to realise a maximum roof load of 100 kg, or 25 kg more than most competitors. High-tech plastic front mud wings;
engine bonnet constructed of aluminium But not every part of the Touareg’s brilliant paint job conceals steel. Front mud wings: The front mud wings are constructed of a plastic possessing flexible material and design properties. The wall thickness varies between 2.7 and 3.4 mm depending on functional necessity. They are also resistant to high paint temperatures, thus insuring uniform painting over the entire body. And with their two-shell construction they offer a very high degree of form stability. Bumpers: The bumpers are constructed of thermal-resistant, extremely rugged plastic. It resists the heat emanating from the engine compartment and exhaust panels; a special ingredient also makes it flexible enough to provide protection against deformation from parking or off-road dings. Engine bonnet: The engine bonnet is constructed of aluminium, not only making it light but also providing optimum deformation characteristics in the event of an accident. The Touareg’s acoustic body characteristics The Touareg’s acoustic body characteristics reach the level of a luxury sedan. This quiet was “designed in� from the beginning of development. The body’s excellent acoustic restraint results from selective reinforcement of the panel surfaces and the use of highly efficient aluminium-sandwich designs for damping. The interior is also shielded from driving, wind and other noises by a three-part door-seal system and an optional acoustic glass. Overview of the acoustic measures: Acoustically shielded interior with

• Sealing of all body-frame openings to the interior
• Complex seal system on doors, windows and luggage compartment. The three-part system for the doors consists of internal and external seals as well as a window-guide profile. The advantages: outstanding acoustic properties; absolutely waterproof up to a depth of 580 mm; unique in its class is the complete protection of all interior sill panels and interior surfaces of door openings against dirt.

Acoustic shielding at the sources of noise with

• Engine compartment encapsulation
• Maximum absorption in the drive assembly
• Maximum absorption in the tunnel and lightweight damping

Acoustic metal-surface optimisation with

• Selective use of highly effective aluminium-sandwich sound-deadening
• Material damping

Additional acoustic measures include

• Optimised wheel-housing liners
• Optional acoustic glass
• Damping between engine compartment and interior
• Absorbing roof lining
• Absorption in the luggage compartment
• Absorption in the pillar trim and dashboard

The standardly equipped Touareg V6 has an idling noise level of 75 dB, for the Touareg V10 TDI, it’s an even quieter 72 dB. Exterior details: The technical features For transporting athletic equipment, rooftop luggage or other loads on the roof, C-rails made of aluminium profiles for fastening a roof-carrier system developed especially for the Touareg are standard equipment. The two crossbars of this aerodynamically optimised system can, if not required, be disassembled or pushed together and to the back of the vehicle, where they form a visually harmonic unit with the roofline. World first: the electrically extendable towbar;
maximum towing capacity of 3500 kg for all Touaregs Much larger transport jobs can be handled with a total of four different towbars � the Touareg can take up to 3500 kg (braked). The towbars are offered either with fixed mounting (only in conjunction with external spare wheel), removable, or for the V10 TDI � as an absolute first in the world � electrically extendable. A rectangular version is available as required for the U.S. market. With the innovative, first electrically swivelling model, the push of a button moves the towing ball downwards out of a concealed location in the bumper. It then automatically turns to the travel direction and locks securely in place. Double extra bright headlights;
the Touareg V10 TDI comes standard with Bi-Xenon headlights The exterior equipment includes double headlights (H7 main beam, H9 driving beam), which together with the turn signals are assembled behind clear-glass optics in a mirror-coated module. Standard on the Touareg V10 TDI and optional for the V6 are Bi-Xenon headlights and dynamic headlight range control. Also standard with the V10 TDI and optional for the V6 is a “light helper� (part of the Coming Home package), which activates the headlights and rear lights when driving through tunnels or at twilight. Coming Home system offers safety in the light of the Touareg headlights;
Phaeton-style surrounding lights in the exterior mirrors With the Coming Home function, the Touareg’s headlights and rear lights combine with surrounding lights on the bottom of the exterior mirrors (standard on the Touareg V10 TDI) to light up the vehicle surroundings at night and thus safeguard the way home or out of the garage. And as soon as the off-road vehicle is opened via radio-wave remote control, a sensor checks the light conditions and, if they are below a defined daylight value, the headlights, rear lights, entry lights in the doors and surrounding lights in the exterior mirrors automatically turn on. In both cases it is possible to deactivate the function and to regulate the time at which the lights turn off. Other components of the Coming Home system include the automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror and the rain sensor for the windscreen wipers. Three different window types block heat, noise and curiosity:
standard heat-resistant glass, optional privacy and acoustic glass The Touareg comes standard with heat-resistant glass which holds excessive solar radiation at bay. Optional equipment includes privacy glass from the B-pillar, which is tinted to 35% transparency to shield the rear seat from undesired curiosity as well as provide extra protection against solar radiation. Acoustic glass which additionally shields the interior against noise emissions is available as the third stage. As first introduced with the Phaeton, there is also the option of heating the windscreen via an integrated, invisible film. Advantage over conventional solutions: no visible heating wires. Multi-function exterior mirror with aluminium bearing;
side LED turn signals and optional surrounding lights integrated into mirror housing The large exterior mirrors are thermally and electrically adjustable as standard. High-tech down to the details: the mirror base and bearing parts are constructed of light aluminium; side LED turn signals and surrounding lights are integrated into the mirror (Coming Home package); the left and right mirrors can � typical for the make � be adjusted synchronously (passenger side follows driver side) and, as special equipment, fold in electrically. Exterior design: A new generation of contemporary off-road vehicle The Touareg unites the world of off-road vehicles with the comfort dimensions of a luxury sedan and the dynamic drive attributes of a sports car. These three functional pillars are also reflected in the new Volkswagen’s design. The Touareg thus represents an entirely new generation of contemporary off-road vehicle. Its generous ground clearance, large wheels (Touareg V6: 17", Touareg V10 TDI: 18") and exacting design of wheel housings and bumpers clearly distinguish the Touareg as an SUV of the highest technological order. In this area, the dimensioning of the form elements emphasises the robust characteristics. For example, the generous air-intake openings in the lower bumper area form a conscious contrast to the upper cooler grill in the style of the Passat W8 and Phaeton. A similar contrast results from the beefy wheel housings and broad swage lines above the sill panels to the smooth surfaces of the vehicle body. They in turn follow the successfully manifested design line of Volkswagen: Smooth surfaces with exciting curves and distinct accents at prominent points form the basic style, which is completed by the high-prestige Volkswagen face and a rear-light design with high recognition value. Arrow design of engine bonnet consciously emphasises relationship to the Phaeton;
power and ruggedness demonstrated where function requires The arrow-shaped transition of the doors and mud wings into the engine bonnet has been a design feature of the Volkswagen luxury-class models since the new Phaeton, with its distinct bonnet moulding. This dynamic contouring combines with the headlight design and the rear lights dominating the tailgate area to emphasise the distinct design relationship between Touareg and Phaeton. Like the Phaeton, the Touareg also possesses turn signals integrated into the exterior mirrors. And the Touareg only demonstrates its power and ruggedness where function requires it. All other design elements of the body radiate contemporary elegance and self-confident dynamics. Note:
All data and equipment mentioned in this media information apply only to the models available in Germany. There may be differences in other countries. Fuel consumption is given on the basis of the 99/100/EC standard. Errors and alterations reserved.