Volkswagen Touareg 2022: 1000 cars bound for Australia amid Land Cruiser stock woes

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Volkswagen Australia has secured more than 1000 Touareg large SUVs which are set to arrive on our shores between July and December this year.

Volkswagen’s flagship model has previously been hit hard by the global semi-conductor shortage but the flow of new stock will help it take on large SUV rivals such as its premium cousin Audi Q7 and the supply-plagued Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series.

Volkswagen Australia is so confident in the strength of its supply lines that it predicts the bolstered allocation could see the Touareg achieve over 2000 sales in 2022 – far surpassing the 1261 sold in 2021.

Volkswagen passenger vehicles brand director, Michal Szaniecki, said the success of negotiations with head office would allow the Touareg to reach its sales potential.

 “The arrival of additional flagship SUV volume means that for the first time in this generation of Touareg we are forecasting supply that closes in on demand.” he said.

Touareg line-up grade-by-grade

The Touareg is offered in three grades: the entry-level 170TDI kicking off the range at $87,990 (before on-road costs), while the 210TDI Elegance commands $106,990 and top-spec 210TDI R-Line a bit more at $116,290.

All three are fitted with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, which develops 170kW of power and 500Nm of torque in the 170TDI and 210kW/600Nm in the 210TDI branded pair. Both are mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic and all-wheel drive.

As standard, the Touareg 170TDI is fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels, a Vienna leather-appointed interior, 9.2-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charger and power tailgate along with heated and power-adjustable front seats.

The standard safety suite includes front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, forward AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control and LED headlights.

Stepping up to the 210TDI Elegance adds larger 20-inch wheels and air suspension, Savona leather appointed seat trim, seat ventilation in the front row, head-up display, huge 15.0-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Opting for the R-Line largely mirrors these features but adds four-wheel steering, a more aggressive body kit and active anti-roll bars to sharpen the handling. 

Touareg R to arrive in 2022

Volkswagen will expand the Touareg’s line-up from three grades to four when the plug-in hybrid ‘R’ performance version arrives later this year.

The Touareg R makes use of a 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 coupled to a 100kW/400Nm electric motor, with a combined output of 340kW/700Nm.

The electric motor feeds off a 14.3kWh battery which can motivate the Touareg R for up to 47km on purely electric power, or work with the petrol engine to provide a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.1 seconds.

Volkswagen says the Touareg R will be available to order late this year with deliveries not expected until 2023.

Volkswagen Touareg 2022: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• 170TDI: $87,990
• 210TDI Elegance: $106,990
• 210TSI R-Line: $116,290 
• R: TBC