FIRST DRIVE
Volkswagen Touareg R50 - Test Drive
Fancy a walk on the wild side? Well, if it’s power you’re after then this is the car for you, it’s the Volkswagen Touareg R50. It’s the German maker’s flagship off-roader, this car will probably be destined for the driveways of the rich and famous such as top flight footballers.
LOOKS
The Volkswagen Touareg R50 is a menacing car with its powerful front. It has a neat four bar matt silver grille with a wide mouth for an air intake under the registration plate. The twin headlights are well placed and add to the powerful shape. The back has a sleek look to it, as it seems the car when at standstill is just waiting to get going.
Another bling touch which should go down well with the target market for this car is the 21-inch alloy wheels and the privacy class in the rear. Enhancing the looks even further are the roof bars and the body coloured wheel arches.
INTERIOR
On the inside the Touareg does not disappoint, it reeks of quality. The finish is superb and the shut lines are neat and the doors close with a comforting thud – there is no tinniness like some rivals.
The seats are made with a luxurious leather upholstery and they have high sides to keep you in place when driving on. As it’s the flagship car, the R50 is loaded with equipment and the switchgear is in the usuaul methodical layout which means all the controls are very practical to use and within easy reach of the driver.
And…just so you don’t forget what you are sitting in, there are R-logos positioned all around the cabin. The cabin is cocooned with airbags it has driver, passenger, curtain and front seat side airbags while the doors also have side impact protection – this all comes as standard.
PRACTICALITY
The Tourareg R50 is a good family car as there is plenty of room in the rear for passengers while the boot has space for three sets of golf clubs – result. It you want to do your bit to save the planert then this is not the option as the R50 emits an eye watering 333g/km of Co2 and has a claimed fuel economy of 22.4mpg on the combined cycle.
However it is loaded with safety kit. It includes ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist), ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) including trailer stabilisation, EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) and ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) as standard.
ON TEST
The flagship car of the VW range – the Touareg R50 is powered by a 5.0-litre V10 engine. This power plant has a whopping 345bhp and a massive 850Nm of torque which means this car passes slower traffic with ease. It has so much ooomph that you’ll need to be careful that the wheel doesn’t snap out of your hands – drive with a firm grip.
Back to figures, look closely and you’ll see that the Touareg R50 is actually faster than the Golf R32 hot hatch as it can do the zero to 62mph sprint in 6.7 seconds while it has a top speed of 146mph. On the road the performance is just breathtaking, feather the accelerator and you’ll hear the large V10 prepare for take off, just be careful in the bends as it tends to roll a bit on those large alloy wheels. It has been lowered by 20mm compared to the standard model but it is still not enough – I blame the bling wheels, choose a smaller size and the ride and handling should be better.
AT A GLANCE
| Name/Price: | VW Touareg R50/£61,990 |
| Engine/power: | 5.0-litre V10/345BHP |
| Co2 emissions: | 333g/km |
| Official Combined fuel economy: | 22.4mpg |
IMN VERDICT
With all that in mind – the R50 is certainly a powerhouse but in the current climate only top flight footballers will be able to afford one as they start from a price £61,990 and the running costs will be high thanks to the high tax band and the thirsty V10 power plant.
Simon McBride