2002 – the first Touareg. In 2002, the Touareg was the first SUV from Volkswagen. With the impetus of the new top model, the Volkswagen brand subsequently developed into one of the leading global full-range providers. The Touareg also became the pioneer of an extremely successful vehicle type that is today offered by Volkswagen in every segment. All Volkswagen SUVs carry traces of the Touareg’s DNA in their design. Strictly speaking, however, the history of the Touareg started in January 2000 with the world premiere of the AAC pickup/SUV design study in Detroit. This design appetiser already had the distinctive new Volkswagen SUV front end, which then went into series production in autumn 2002 with the first Touareg. Characteristic style features included the bonnet raised in a v-shape in the middle, large horizontal bars in the radiator grille, and multiple headlights, which always formed a visual unit with the lower outer surfaces of the bonnet – as described, this design DNA still makes every Touareg immediately recognisable.
A Boeing 747 on tow. Volkswagen made a big impression with the Touareg’s engines right from the start. These included power plants such as the V10 TDI with 230 kW (313 PS) and a torque of 750 Nm. In 2006, a Touareg V10 TDI comfortably towed a 155-tonne Boeing 747 to its takeoff position instead of the permitted 3.5-tonne maximum trailer weight as part of an experiment. In the first R model of the product line – the Touareg R50 – the output of the 10-cylinder engine increased to 268 kW (350 PS). There was even a 12-cylinder Touareg in a limited edition of 500 vehicles. The power rating of this W12 engine was 331 kW (450 PS). The most successful models in terms of sales volume were the Touareg versions with five-, six- and eight-cylinder engines. Alongside the torque, Volkswagen always attached great importance to high efficiency. Within nine years, a total of 450,000 customers chose the first-generation Touareg.
2010 – the second Touareg. With the debut of the second generation in 2010, the Touareg became even more comfortable, without neglecting the authentic SUV characteristics. Parallel to this, Volkswagen placed an even greater focus on efficiency: the first Volkswagen SUV with additional electric drive system was launched with the Touareg Hybrid. The 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive system was again naturally on board as standard. This drive system ensured added safety, high-class off-road performance and optimum suitability as a towing vehicle. This Touareg also felt at home pulling trailers laden with boots, bikes, classic cars or horses – no matter what the terrain, and again up to a maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes. Approximately 479,000 units of the second generation were sold over a period of nine years.
2018 – the third Touareg. With the third Touareg generation, the first plug-in hybrid of this product line made its debut. The function as a technology pioneer was reflected once more in these hybrid drives and the completely newly developed Innovision Cockpit. The same was true for the wide range of new assist and running gear systems, such as remote parking by smartphone, all-wheel steering or active roll compensation with electromechanical anti-roll bars. As a high-quality blend of long-distance, towing and off-road vehicle, the third Touareg also served its very own, practically-minded clientele. In 2022, Volkswagen celebrated the 20th anniversary of the premium SUV – with the exclusive special-edition model Touareg EDITION 20. By the end of 2022 – in just four years, more than 200,000 customers had opted for this Touareg generation.