2013 Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI R-Line to arrive in March

Volkswagen Australia has announced the range topping Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI R-Line will join the local line-up in March. The new car essentially fills the void left by the previous generation Touareg R50.

The most powerful Touareg is powered by a 4.2-litre diesel V8 shared with the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI. It produces 250kW of power and a stonking 800Nm of torque. Unlike the six-speed Audi, the Touareg V8 TDI is mated to an eight-speed automatic driving all four-wheels.

This is enough to propel the luxury SUV from 0-100km/h in a hot-hatch like 5.8 seconds, 0.6 seconds quicker than the Q7 4.2 TDI, and 1.0 second sooner than the R50. Despite these impressive accelerative figure, the Touareg V8 TDI returns a combined fuel average of 9.2L/100km. As with all Touaregs, the new R-Line is also equipped with BlueMotion Technologies, including brake energy recuperation and engine stop-start.

Volkswagen has yet to announce the pricing of the range topper, but expect it to easily eclipse the $83,990 V6 TDI 4MOTION on which it is based.

Cosmetically, the V8 can be distinguished by a bodykit with a matt black rear diffuser, a sporty front bumper, a subtle side skirts, and a set of 21-inch “Mallory” alloy wheels.

Inside, the flagship Touareg features the R-Line logo on the front stainless steel door sill plates and on the heated, leather rimmed multi-function steering wheel. It also comes with full Nappa leather upholstery, RNS850 satellite navigation, and a premium ‘Dynaudio Confidence’ 620-Watt sound system with 12 speakers and a 12-channel digital amplifier.

In addition, the Touareg V8 TDI also comes with Comfort Package and Driver Assistance Package as standard. The Comfort Package consist of four-zone automatic climate control dual-air conditioning system, electrically adjustable door mirrors with memory function, automatic kerb view function when reversing, electrically adjustable front seats with three position memory function for driver and front passenger (electrically height and reach adjustable), along with heated steering wheel with memory and keyless entry.

The Driver Assistance Package includes Volkswagen’s innovative safety systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Front Assist function and City Emergency brake (City EB) function, Side Assist (lane changing assistant) and the Proactive occupant protection system.