08 Volkswagen Touareg Two By Alan Gell (3/08) Automotive Journalist . The TOUAREG has been around for a few years now and those consumers aware of this terrific SUV will fall in love with the redesigned model for 2008.  Volkswagen calls it the TOUAREG TWO.  The Volkswagen Touareg is a Mid-Sized SUV.  It is extremely capable, including in rough off-road conditions.  It has been re-styled and is has more sweeping lines and rounded edges.

 I had an opportunity to see the Touareg 2 up close at the New York Auto Show the early part of 2007. Then, in early 2008, I had a production model for a full week-long test drive.  This updated version has refreshed styling all over the exterior including a new chrome front grill.  This redesigned exterior is not only meant to enhance the sporty look, but provide additional aerodynamic lift.    The headlamps swivel in the direction you turn the steering wheel, providing additional light to the side.  The taillights have a deeper red hue.  A nifty rear spoiler has been added that includes an integrated third brake light and helps improve fuel efficiency on the highway.

During my week-long test drive, I had the opportunity to do some serious highway driving almost as much as around town locally.  The Touareg handles the highway extremely well and the seats are quite comfortable.  There is plenty of cargo room, similar to most other mid-sized SUV’s.  The interior is laid out well, with the dashboard easy to read.  Buttons and dials function well and the navigation system is easy to follow.

            Another great restyle for the Touareg 2 is upgrading to 17-inch alloy wheels on the VR6 and 19-inch alloy wheels on the V8 and V10 models.   The rear liftgate was manually operated on the previous models, but for 2008, it is powered.  I like those buttons that help lift and close that rear tailgate.  The VW press materials say that there are over 2000 new parts in the new 2008 model. 

The 3.2 liter engine has been replaced with a new, more powerful 3.6 liter that adds about 40 more horses.  That brings it up to 280 horsepower.  The V8 is the first eight-cylinder VW engine with unleaded fuel injection.  The V10 twin turbo engine produces 310 horsepower.  All three of these engines allow the Touareg to tow almost 8000 pounds.  That towing capability is what attracted many buyers to the first Touaregs several years ago. 

This new VW Touareg 2 has a new rollover sensor system that measures turning speed and turning angle and warns the driver if a possible rollover situation might be encountered.  The Touareg 2 features an enhanced tire pressure monitoring system that is included as standard on all the models.  Another innovation is Rain Brake Support.  Rain Brake Support intermittently wipes the brake rotors dry whenever the wipers are activated

For back-woods enthusiasts, the Touareg 2 is equipped with a permanent four-wheel drive system.  It also has Hill Roll Back and Hill Descent Assist.  It can climb at a 45-degree angle, have a 35-degree lateral incline, and ford streams up to 23 inches with an optional air suspension system.  The VW engineers have added watertight door seals and sealed all the electrical connections.  When you first look at this beautiful package, it looks almost like other mid-sized SUV’s and you would not guess that it has such an extensive off-road four wheel drive capability.

            There are some option packages available -- mostly with the sound systems.  A ten speaker deluxe Dynaudio premium sound system is available for those who want all of that.  But when I'm out in four-wheel drive country or pulling a large boat or horse trailer, I really prefer not to rattle windows three blocks away.  Keyless access including a start-stop button is available, as are Bi-Zenon headlights that help improve nighttime visibility.

            The interior has been modernized, and the styling is more like an upscale SUV. Though a bright silver dash inlay is standard, the available walnut and aluminum combo is very attractive
I liked the VW Touareg before, but after test-driving this re-designed 2008 Touareg 2 model, I am more in love with it than ever.  Check out the new Touareg at a VW dealership yourself.  It is extremely capable.  It looks great.  It is crafted and engineered to near-perfection.  

(ALAN GELL is an experienced automotive journalist, an active member of the Texas Press Association, National Newspaper Association, and the Texas Auto Writers Association.  Visit his website at www.CarColumns.Net for additional automotive reviews.)