New top-of-the-range Touareg R50 is now on sale
26/03/2008
The new range-topping Touareg luxury 4x4 – the R50 is now on sale.
Offering more power and equipment, and boasting one of the most powerful diesel engines available on the market, the Touareg R50 delivers impressive performance alongside relatively frugal fuel economy and emission statistics.
At the heart of the Touareg R50 is Volkswagen's award-winning 5.0-litre V10 TDI engine, uprated from 313 PS to produce 350 PS at 3,500 rpm. The R50's engine has also been given a substantial boost to produce an extra 100 Nm of torque, upping pulling power to an enormous 850 Nm (627 lbs ft).
These figures translate into on road performance which would leave many hot hatches standing:-
• Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in just 6.7 seconds
• Top speed of 146 mph
Yet, despite its extra punch the Touareg R50 has the same fuel economy and CO2 output as the standard V10 TDI:-
• 22.4 mpg on the combined cycle
• CO2 emission figure of 333 g/km
Naturally the R50 benefits from standard 4XMOTION four-wheel drive which is channelled through a six-speed automatic gearbox. CDC (Continuous Damping Control) with sports modification which sees the car lowered by around 20 mm is also a standard feature on the R50.
The R50 is distinguished by characteristics such as a set of 21-inch ‘Omanyt' ten-spoke alloy wheels and the Touareg ‘R' design package which includes at the back a body-coloured roof spoiler, restyled body-coloured bumper and oval tailpipe trims. Inside, and on top of the Altitude V10's already luxurious specification, the R50 has ‘R' logos on the pedals, door sill protectors and Nappa leather sports seats, as well as heated outer rear seats, a ski sack and a net partition.
Only a limited number of Touareg R50 models, priced at £61,885 (RRP OTR), will be on sale in the UK.