Culture|Garage

First we learned the Volkswagen Scirocco will not be making it to these shores, and now we are getting stiffed out of the Volkswagen Touareg .:R50. Sure let’s blame the weak dollar, but I blame it on uninformed Americans that know little about the wonderful world of TDi engines. Back home I see more (hear more) diesels cars than gasoline powered counterparts.

Enough crying though, the Volkswagen Touareg .:R50 is now on sale in the UK that features VW’s famed V10 TDI engine. The .:R50 is introduced with 257kW, up from the standard 230kW. Torque also has been increased by 100Nm to 850Nm, easily being able to pull a Boeing 747. 0-60 happens in just 6.5 seconds, making it about as quick as the Golf .:R32. Top speed is the mandatory 250km/h.

A set of 21-inch 10-spokers (similar to the .:R32 Omanyt wheel) is the first noticeable difference exterior-wise. A matte chrome grille with honeycomb inserts is featured upfront, while the rear has to make do with a small roof spoiler, body-colored bumper and oval tailpipes. Interior-wise the trim is upgraded to a similar carbon-fiber cube look pattern from the .:R32, .:R-line pedals, and navigation is standard.

UK prices commence at £61,885 (RRP OTR)/ €81,177.

Full Gallery & Press Release

Press Release:

Volkswagen has revealed full details of its range-topping Touareg luxury 4×4 – the R50 – which offers customers more power and equipment, and boasts one of the most powerful diesel engines available on the market.

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. Beyond the power output, the R50’s engine has also been given a substantial boost to produce an extra 100 Nm of torque: if the standard car’s 750 Nm was more than enough to enable the Touareg to tow a Boeing 747, pulling power of an enormous 850 Nm (627 lbs ft) sets the R50 yet further apart from the crowd.

These figures translate into on road performance which would leave many hot hatches standing. The R50 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 6.7 seconds, and can hit a top speed of 146 mph. Compare this, for example, with the ‘R’ branded Golf, the R32, which goes to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds and has a 155 mph top speed. Yet, despite its extra punch the Touareg R50 has the same fuel economy and CO2 output as the standard V10 TDI (22.4 mpg combined and 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.

Distinguishing the R50 from the previous range-topper, the Altitude V10 TDI, are a set of 21-inch ‘Omanyt’ ten-spoke alloy wheels as well as the Touareg ‘R’ design package. This includes at the back a body-coloured roof spoiler, restyled body-coloured bumper and oval tailpipe trims. Wheel arch extensions and blue brake callipers enhance the distinctive wheels, while at the front the R50 gains a matt chrome radiator grille and louvres as well as honeycomb-style inserts in the airdams.
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.

The R50 is priced at £61,885 (RRP OTR), representing a £3,885 premium over the Altitude V10 TDI. Prices for the Touareg range start at £29,880.

Source: Volkswagen UK

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