Volkswagen's halo vehicle - the Touareg V8 TDI R-Line - arrives in October as the headliner in a revised range of new Euro 6 diesel engines including more powerful and fuel efficient V6s.

In addition to V8 TDI R-Line, which shares the Bentley Bentayga's 4.0-litre twin turbo diesel, the 2021 Touareg introduces the 170TDI, 210TDI Elegance and 210TDI R-Line.

Both new V6s are capable of 6.8 litres per 100km/h – an appreciable improvement on the 7.4L/100km of the outgoing EU5 190TDI range. The Touareg V8 R-Line returns 7.5L/100km.

The 150 Touraeg Adventure special editions, due in August, will be the final iteration available with the 190TDI engine.

"The 190TDI engine was a contingency that enabled Volkswagen to bring the Touareg to Australia in a timely manner, but it was a happy one that helped the Touareg Launch Edition and subsequent variants to unanimous acclaim," said Volkswagen's Director of Customer Experience and marketing Jason Bradshaw.

"The technical dynamism of Volkswagen Group brands is such that enhanced engines can be brought to market 18 months later at sticker prices that continue to undercut by five figures comparable vehicles from prestige brands."   

The 170TDI, 210TDIs and 310TDI V8 are more fuel efficient than the EU5 generation, including stop/start technology and a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system with AdBlue to reduce emissions. Also new across the range is the addition of the larger 90L (+15L) fuel tank with a 24L AdBlue tank.

The Touareg range continues with the exemplary ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and the constantly adjusting 4MOTION all-wheel-drive that imbues the new generation Touareg with benchmark dynamics.

The V8 is capable of reaching 100km/h from standing in 4.9 seconds – 0.1 behind the Australian-specification Golf R performance hatchback, 0.1 ahead of the Golf R Wagon. This V8 uses two sequential turbochargers and the ability to switch the four-valve cylinder-heads to three valves at low revs. Until 2200rpm the twin turbo V8 diesel slides the camshaft to close one of the exhaust valves, so all of the gases are directed at one propeller wheel. This assistance results in spinning up the variable-geometry turbocharger and providing full power with exceptional smoothness and rapidity as it revs to 5000rpm.

"Let's not overlook the new V6s," Mr Bradshaw said. "Matching a Golf GTI's acceleration, as the 210TDI Elegance and 210TDI R-Line do, is no mean feat. Meanwhile the 170TDI's pace compares to our Amarok V6 ute."   

Visually the 2021 Touaregs are the first to be emblazoned with Volkswagen's new logo. This can be seen of front and rear badges, wheel centrecaps, the new 'Touch' steering wheel, Instrument cluster, infotainment systems and key fobs. You're unlikely to miss it.

In a notable change to the Touareg model structure, the R-Line package becomes a separate model grade. To reduce complexity the Innovision package is now standard on the 210TDI Elegance and the new 210TDI R-Line model. For the first time, the Sound and Comfort package is available as an option on the entry grade Touareg, which is now the 170TDI.

The Touareg V8 will arrive in fully equipped R-line specification, including standard Night Vision, Sound and Comfort, and Innovision packages. Unlike other premium competitors there will be no long option list. Customers need only select their preferred exterior colour or consider a panoramic glass sunroof.

Standard and exclusive to the V8 is IQ. DRIVE Night Vision Technology.

The night vision system is activated simultaneously with the Front Assist function. The warning time can be set parallel to that for Front Assist (early/medium/late) via the infotainment system. The contrast for the thermal image can be adjusted in the dash panel via the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.

The system requires that darkness is detected and the headlights are switched on. The activation and range of the system is influenced by weather conditions. When a person or animal is in the warning range, the system notifies the driver with an acoustic warning.

At speeds less than 50km/h, the thermal image is displayed. At more than 50km/h, the red warning symbol for Front Assist is displayed. The brakes are pre-filled and the threshold in the brake assist system switches to increased sensitivity. If a person is detected, the marker light flashes in the direction of the person three times as long as no oncoming traffic will be dazzled and the vehicle is travelling outside built-up areas.

Replacing Traffic Jam Assist, Travel Assist allows for partially automated driving across practically the whole speed range from commuter traffic to freeway speeds. With a the press of the Travel Assist button on the steering wheel, the system activates adaptive lane guidance and adaptive cruise control to allow semi-autonomous driving on highways.

Travel Assist is enhanced with the new capacitive Touch steering wheel. It is now sufficient that the driver merely touches the steering wheel; the surface recognizes that the driver is controlling the vehicle even by the conductive touch of a single finger. Conventional buttons have also been replaced with 'touch' buttons giving haptic feedback with a slight touch when a selection is made

• 3.0 V6 turbo diesel 170kW/500Nm
• 8-speed automatic
• 4MOTION All-wheel-drive
• IQ DRIVE -Front Assist with City EB and Pedestrian Monitoring, Lane Assist with Adaptive Lane Guidance, Emergency Assist, Travel Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Side Assist with Front & Rear Cross Traffic Assist, Park Assist, Driver Fatigue Detection, 360° Proactive Occupant Protection, Front and rear parking sensors and Rear View Camera^
• Electronic tailgate with Easy Open & Close & Keyless Access and start
• LED Headlights, daytime driving lights and tail lights
• Automatic headlights, auto dimming mirrors and rain sensing wipers
• 19" Osorno alloy wheels with inflatable spare wheel
• 9.2" Discover Pro navigation system with App-Connect
• 4x USB ports and wireless phone charging
• Vienna Leather appointed trim*, heated and electric front seats
• Air Care 2-zone climate control air conditioning with hard key control
• Driving profile selection with 4MOTION Active Control

Equipment additional to or differing from 170TDI:

• 3.0 V6 turbo diesel 210kW/600Nm
• IQ. Light Matrix LED Headlights
• Innovision package
• Headlight washing system
• Premium LED tail lights with dynamic indicators
• 20" Montero alloys wheels
• 4 corner air suspension
• Savona appointed leather appointed trim in 'Soul' black or 'Mistral' two-tone
• Heated and ventilated front seats with 8 different massage programs

Equipment additional to or differing from 210TDI Elegance:

• All-wheel steering
• Active roll stabilization
• 20" Nevada alloy wheels
• R-Line front and rear bumpers
• Rear and side window tint 82% light absorbing
• R-Line Savona leather appointed upholstery
• Memory for front seats, mirrors & electronic steering column
• Brushed stainless steel foot pedals
• R-Line multi-function steering wheel, heated and with shifting paddles
• Soul Black headliner

Equipment additional to or differing from 210TDI R-Line:

• 4.0 litre V8 turbo diesel 310kW/900Nm
• Night vision
• 21" Suzuka alloy wheels
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
• Sound & Comfort package

Options

15" Discover Premium, 12.3" Digital Cockpit,
Windshield projected Head-up Display,
Additional ambient interior lighting with
30 selectable colours, Volume scroll wheel,
gloss black centre console

Area View, Dynaudio, Consequence Sound System,
4-Zone Climate, Memory for front seats,
mirrors & electronic steering column with memory,
Row 2 heated outboard seats, Park Assist Plus
and Manoeuvre braking (Memory for front seats, mirrors & electronic
steering column with memory already standard in 210TDI R-Line)

Area View, Dynaudio, Consequence Sound System,
4-Zone Climate, Row 2 heated outboard seats, Park Assist Plus
and Manoeuvre braking

All new Volkswagens come with a five year factory warranty. As with the rest of Volkswagen's new vehicle range, the Touareg is offered with a three-year or a five-year Care Plan priced at $1350 and $2500 respectively. The latter plan saves the cost of the first service.