Volkswagen revealed the first details on the Race Touareg 2, that will be used in the ‘Dakar’ Rally 2009. The race will begin in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on January 3rd, marking the first time the race takes place across the South American continent.
The racers, powered by a 2.5-liter TDI diesel engine producing 280 hp, are currently under construction at Volkswagen Motorsport in Hanover, Germany. From there, working to a tight deadline of November 15, the support and service trucks plus parts and equipment needed to compete in the world’s toughest motorsport event will be transported to Le Havre, France, for scrutineering which takes place on November 26, before being shipped out to South America.
Press release after the jump.
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Recent spy shots of the next generation Touareg revealed the SUV will offer enough space for seven-seats. It will also be sportier and have better fuel efficiency. Volkswagen will use more aluminum in order to reduce weight and save gas. The official launch will be made in late 2010.
The 2010 Touareg will be built on the same platform as the next-generation Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7, with a design inspired by the latest Tiguan.
The company will also offer a range of more fuel efficient engines, starting with a 278 hp 3.2-liter V6 gas engine and top out with a 344 4.2-liter V8. Diesel options will include 2.7-liter and 3.0-liter turbodiesels. All the engines will be matched with a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Volkswagen goes sailing: in collaboration with the world’s leading sail manufacturer, North Sails, the company unveiled a Touareg study specially designed for the marine life.
The Touareg North Sails study is painted in "Campanella white" and fits the shiny 19-inch alloy wheels "Zaragoza"; all this next to the design "Individual" package perfectly in a marina.
The concept also features: fog lights, outside mirror and reflectors equipped with aquamarine blue colored lenses. On the interior: wood flooring panels outlined with LED lighting strips.
Touareg Stanley will make its penultimate stop at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, California from 20 June to 18 July 2008. This is the place (in the Silicon Valley region near San Francisco) where the prototype was born.
Stanley was the first automobile to master the “Grand Challenge” for robot cars, gaining itself the reputation of a pioneering development project for autonomous vehicles.
The Touareg Stanley made a 212-kilometer race through the Mojave Desert amidst a field of 22 other competitors on 8 October 2005. The SUV drove through the deser with no driver and finished the cross line after six hours, 53 minutes and 58 seconds. Never before had a motor vehicle managed anything close to such a distance completely autonomously.
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If you liked the latest Porsche Cayenne by Hofele, then you’ll definetely like the customization kit for the facelifted 2008 Vw Touareg.
The new kit offers a fresh new look for the German SUV consisting in a re-designed front bumper, new hood, additional side sills, rear apron with integrated tailpipes, rear roof spoiler, bonnet scoop "Power Dome" and a rear door panel.
Also, new 22 inch alloy wheels and a new suspension kit ,which lowers the car with 40 mm, were added in order to make the car more stable on the roads. Price of the kit: around 1,500 euros.
