Taos: New SUV for America Hybrids Put to the Test: On Tour With the Touareg Product consultant Bram den Dunnen accompanies journalists on a test drive in the large SUV V olkswagen is electrifying the Touareg. Media represen-tatives currently have the opportunity to test drive the new hybrid models – the Touareg eHybrid and Touareg R – during an international driving event for journalists. The event in Nörten-Hardenberg (southern Lower Saxony) will see Volkswagen experts such as product consultant Bram den Dunnen showcase the new vehicles. Electrical range of around 47 kilometers “Even with the Touareg, we are pursuing our electrification strategy and will offer two plug-in hybrids in the future: the Touareg eHybrid with 280 kW system power for customers who prioritize comfort, and the 340 kW top Touareg R model for the sporty, ambitious drivers,” den Dunnen explains. According to the product consultant, “Both vehicles have an electric range of around 47 kilometers, which means they cover around 90 percent of all daily car journeys in Germany – powered exclusively by electricity.” The interaction between the electric motor and the six-cylinder turbo gas engine supports the predictive hybrid strategy, which is possible when the navigation system actively guides the driver to their destination. Den Dunnen notes: “Both Touareg vehicles use GPS and map data to achieve economical fuel consumption values, even over medium and long distances. To this end, the system integrates the topography, route data, and destination area into the route calculation so that the Touareg eHybrid and Touareg R can achieve total ranges of up to 810 kilometers.” As for the interior, special features include both vehicles being equipped with the “Innovision Cockpit” as standard. According to product consultant den Dunnen, “It comprises the “Digital Cockpit” complete with a 12-inch screen and “Discover Premium” infotainment system display with a 15-inch touch screen.”