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Thursday, January 28, 2010
These images are reported to show scale models of the new Volkswagen Touareg.
The pictures, taken from a scale model catalogue in the Netherlands, show a car with a more rounded, sleeker look than the current Touareg, with styling cues from the new Golf, Polo and Scirocco including long, slim headlights.
See the new VW Touareg scale model pictures
Using the same platform as the Porsche Cayenne, the new Touareg is expected to be significantly lighter as the company seeks to counter claims of large 4x4s being too inefficient for modern day use.
A weight saving of around 150-300kg has been mooted as a target, although the higher target may be only achievable on base models, which will be offered with only two-wheel drive. The lightest current Touareg, the 3.6-litre petrol V6-powered SE, weighs 2238kg.
A third row of seats could be offered as an option, to address criticisms that the car isn't as practical as some rivals. This is likely to lead to the car having slightly longer wheelbase; the current model is 4754mm long.
Engines are expected to include updated versions of the current 3.6-litre V6 and 4.2-litre V8 petrol units, plus at least two revised turbodiesel offerings.
A hybrid VW Touareg will be available from launch, too. It will use the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 currently used in the Audi S4 and A6, with the electric motor sitting between the transmission and the V6. The top-end V10 diesel is expected to be dropped.
This is the second time this week that images of a new car have first been shown on scale models - earlier this week images of a Renault 'Twingo' CC were released.
The new VW Touareg is expected to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March.
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