Intelligent electric performance. In the new Touareg eHybrid and Touareg R, a 100 kW (136 PS) electric motor, a V6 turbocharged petrol engine with 250 kW (340 PS) and a capacity of 2,995 cc and a high-voltage lithium-ion battery (gross energy content: 17.9 kWh) form the central elements of the plug-in hybrid drive. The system power of the Touareg eHybrid is 280 kW (381 PS). The Touareg eHybrid transfers a maximum system torque of 600 newton metres to the all-wheel drive. Thanks to a sportier software application of the hybrid drive specially configured by Volkswagen R, the Touareg R provides a system power of 340 kW (462 PS) and a maximum system torque of 700 Nm. Both versions of the Touareg have a top speed of up to 250 km/h. The Touareg eHybrid completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds; the Touareg R does this in 5.1 seconds. However, more decisive than the classic top speed and acceleration performance disciplines is the confidence with which the two Touareg models pick up the pace at any engine speed thanks to the alliance of the electric motor and V6 engine – they are powerful cruisers that can pull trailer weights of up to 3.5 tonnes and still impress with lowest consumption values.
Hybrid plus all-wheel drive. The electric drive motor and V6 TSI are integrated in the engine compartment in the front. The lithium-ion battery is installed in the underbody of the 665-1675 litre luggage compartment. The power electronics convert the direct current of the battery into alternating current for the electric drive motor. In both cases, an 8-speed automatic gearbox (with Tiptronic) and a transfer box transmit power to the front and rear axles (4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive). A centre differential lock with asymmetric dynamic torque distribution (Torsen) acts as a transfer box for the flow of forces between the front and rear axle. A maximum of 70 percent of the drive force reaches the front axle and up to 80 percent reaches the rear axle.
All-electric drive up to 135 km/h. When first started, the Touareg eHybrid and the Touareg R use only the electric motor if the battery is sufficiently charged. This ensures that the SUVs come as close to zero emissions as possible, especially on short journeys. Both Touareg models are able to be driven in all-electric mode at a speed of up to 135 km/h; above this, the V6 TSI is activated automatically – or at any time using kickdown. The system then changes to the Hybrid mode. On long journeys, it makes sense to directly change over to this mode as the combination of both engines results in extremely low average consumption and very high combined ranges. If the navigation system equipped as standard is used for guidance to the destination and Hybrid mode is selected, a predictive hybrid strategy is automatically activated which further optimises the ranges.
Predictive hybrid strategy. When route guidance is active in the navigation system, the predictive hybrid strategy includes the topography in the route calculation using map data and GPS in order to offer the route that can be driven most efficiently. In addition, the navigation system allows the SUV to provide the driver with predictive information about the route ahead. This allows deceleration in good time before a bend, for example, in order to obtain the optimum brake energy recuperation effect. When ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control / optional) or the optional Travel Assist (assisted driving with automatic longitudinal and lateral guidance) are active, the Touareg eHybrid and Touareg R even do this automatically. Irrespective of whether driving in manual or assisted driving mode, the predictive hybrid strategy allows the plug-in hybrid model to recognise town boundaries, for example, and therefore automatically adapt operation of the drive systems in advance.
Changeover between E-MODE and Hybrid mode. The driver can control the hybrid functions and select the driving profile using the Menu button on the 4MOTION Active Control in the centre console or the corresponding menu in the infotainment system. Both are clearly arranged next to each other on a shared screen. The available hybrid functions are E-MODE for all-electric driving and Hybrid mode for optimised and automatic interaction between the electric motor and the V6 engine. If the driver taps the E-MODE button when in Hybrid mode, the Touareg eHybrid and Touareg R switch to all-electric drive at speeds of up to 135 km/h if the battery is sufficiently charged. Conversely, the SUV switches to Hybrid mode if the driver taps the Hybrid button when in E-MODE.
Zero emissions at the destination. Thanks to the intuitively configurable Hybrid mode, sufficient electric energy can be reserved even on longer journeys so that the final distance to an urban destination can be covered with zero local emissions. At the start of the journey, the driver simply enters the percentage of the battery capacity that must be reserved in the infotainment system. The battery also does not have to be fully charged for this, since it can also be charged during the trip by the TSI engine and brake energy recuperation. To charge the battery while driving, the driver can open the Drive mode selection menu. E-MODE and Hybrid mode are located here centrally on the uppermost level for selection by the driver. If the driver selects the Hybrid option, a battery with ten scale steps (0 to 100 percent) is then displayed showing the current charge level. The driver can recognise the charge level intuitively by the number of battery segments that are lit up in light blue. Next to the battery is a symbol with a stylised gear wheel. Tapping on this symbol opens manual Hybrid mode. The driver now has the option of maintaining the battery charge level (via the equals sign “=”), or increasing it (up arrow “⮙”) or lowering it to a defined level (down arrow “⮛”) at 20 percent increments. To exit manual Hybrid mode again and use both drives automatically once more, the driver simply has to tap once on the battery.
Quick driving profile changeover. The 4MOTION Active Control also allows drivers to select the desired driving profile in the Touareg eHybrid and Touareg R: the driving profile selection is accessed in the infotainment system by pressing the Menu button. The Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual profiles for on-road driving and the Offroad and Snow profiles for off-road driving are available as standard. However, the driver can also manage these modes directly using the operating unit for driving mode selection in the centre console. Onroad profiles are selected by turning the rotary switch to the left. If the switch is turned to the right, the off-road profiles are opened.
Hybrid displays in the Innovision Cockpit. The Innovision Cockpit comes as standard in the Touareg eHybrid and the Touareg R. It consists of the digital instruments (Digital Cockpit, 12-inch screen) and the infotainment system screen (Discover Premium, 15-inch TFT touchscreen). The driver can access specific information about the hybrid functions using the energy flow displays in the infotainment system (showing the battery’s energy reserve, the energy supply to the drive system, and battery charging) and the electric range monitor (showing the electric range, driving profile and the potential to increase the range by deactivating electrical consumers). The combined power display and rev counter on the left-hand side of the Digital Cockpit shows the current status of the hybrid system. It displays the consumption (under acceleration) or feed-in (under deceleration) of electric energy as well as hybrid mode. The remaining electric range and the fuel range are also shown.
Plug-in charging. The battery of Touareg eHybrid and Touareg R is normally fully charged externally. A charge port is provided at the rear on the driver side for this purpose. Depending on the power source, charging takes place with 2.3 or 3.6 kW alternating current (AC). The battery charger integrated in both Touareg models manages charging fully automatically; all the driver has to do is to connect the plugs. This “plug-in” connection also explains the designation of hybrid drive. The driver can also control the time at which charging takes place via the infotainment system (e-manager) or using the We Connect app on a smartphone in order to benefit from cheaper off-peak electricity, for example. Convenient: the vehicle interior can be cooled or heated before the start of a journey both during charging with a connected charging cable or whenever the battery charge is sufficient in parking mode.