Volkswagen Touareg 2024: facelift revealed, R variant confirmed for Australia

Dylan Campbell

Contributor

The refreshed lineup for the Touareg includes the 340kW R eHybrid; which will be VW’s first PHEV model sold locally

Volkswagen has unveiled a facelifted version of the Touareg in Europe, with the flagship SUV receiving a nip and tuck at both ends, revised powertrains and a largely untouched interior.

Slated to arrive in Australia early next year, the Touareg range is expected to be led by a full-fat 340kW plug-in hybrid R variant along with a suite of core diesel-powered options.

The facelifted version of the Touareg large SUV has been revealed

Sitting on the same platform as traditional premium offerings such as the Audi Q7, the Touareg has been reasonably popular since its launch and recently beat out the likes of the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado to win Chasing Cars Towing and Touring SUV megatest.

Touareg R eHybrid coming to Australia

As previously reported, a new plug-in electric hybrid powertrain is fitted to the halo performance R grade.

Now dubbed the “eHybrid” (very Porsche), the 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 produces 250kW/450Nm and is mated to a 100kW electric motor to give a combined output of 340kW and 700Nm. Volkswagen said it can do 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds.

The 14.3kWh lithium-ion battery can grant up to 47km of electric-only range.

The full-fat R variant is also coming to Australia

Volkswagen Australia has previously confirmed the Touareg R eHybrid for Australia, although it’s been delayed several times. It’s now expected early next year.

The range-topping Touareg R eHybrid is likely to demand similar cash to the previous V8 model, which was $136,490 before on-road costs.

A non-performance PHEV option has also been added

New non-performance PHEV for Europe

The 2024 Touareg will also be offered in Europe with a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6, turbo petrol 3.0-litre V6 and another non-performance plug-in hybrid with 280kW.

There is no word on other powertrain possibilities for Australia. Chasing Cars contacted Volkswagen Australia for comment.

New exterior gives Touareg VW’s latest look

Externally, the 2024 Touareg gets Volkswagen’s latest stylistic ‘face’ with a horizontal grille that stretches the vehicle’s full width. The lower intakes are bigger, while at the rear there’s now a very ID-esque, full-width horizontal tail-light including a red, illuminated Volkswagen badge.

A Touareg has been given a sharper, more modern appearance

The 2024 Touareg is the first Volkswagen to be fitted with HD LED matrix headlights. The “IQ Light HD LED matrix” units have more than 19,000 individual micro-LEDs each side.

This enables a feature called Lane Light which projects a bright ‘carpet’ of light down the lane immediately ahead of the vehicle, making low-speed manoeuvring easier.

That huge 15.0-inch touchscreen can still be found inside

Volkswagen said the automatic high-beam blanking – which detects vehicles ahead and oncoming, and switches off individual LEDs to avoid dazzling them while keeping the high beam on – is more precise than ever.

In Europe, Volkswagen now offers the Touareg with 21-inch wheels, while the R can be had on 22s in the trademark Estoril design. The R also receives a new colour, Silicon Gray Matt.

Minimal changes inside

In Europe, the Innovision Package – which brings the enormous 15.0-inch central touchscreen – is now standard, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both wireless.

Much of the Touareg’s interior is unchanged

There are newly fitted USB-C outlets with up to 45 watts permitting faster smartphone charging (previously 15 watts). There’s the latest generation Volkswagen voice control and some additional interior surface padding.

The current three-grade Australian Touareg range costs between $89,240 for the 170TDI and $117,540 for the 210 TDI R-Line. Both use turbodiesel 3.0-litre V6s.