IF you like niche vehicles, you cannot get much more niche than VW’s Touareg. Since its 2003 launch the Touareg has been a back-burner luxury SUV, selling just 2166. It’s never quite got the traction of its Porsche Cayenne cousin – both share body and components – and as the VW Group has emerged with a strong passenger car and commercial line up, the Touareg has languished. However, a hefty pricing realignment, more equipment and new V6 engines – a 3.0-litre petrol and 3.0-litre TDI – should help build some momentum ahead of a facelifted model next year.
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Volkswagen Touareg
Released: September 03
Ended: October 06
Family Tree: TouaregThe Touareg – named after a nomadic African tribe – first arrived in Australia in September 2003. Initially four models were available, a V6, V6 Luxury, V8 and storm-trooping V10 turbo-diesel. Despite its credentials, it is one VW that has never been a strong seller. Just 2166 have been sold since launch and some initial electrical quality issues have tarnished the otherwise capable off-roader. Look closely and you can see the similarities between a Touareg and the more expensive Porsche Cayenne. Both share bodies and are built in Bratislava, Slovakia but the Cayenne build is completed in Leipzig, Germany.
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