Even the Germans know the best was to go 100+ mph over rough desert terrain is with a big honkin' truck. Volkswagen unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show the Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck that will run the 41st Baja 1000 desert race in the SCORE Trophy Truck class. The racer is powered by a 5.5 liter V-12 clean diesel engine that produces 550 hp and 625 lbs.-ft. of torque.

The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck features a wheelbase of 125 inches, overall length of 213 inches, width of 92 inches, an overall height of 78 inches and weighs 5650 pounds. This is a specialty race car, with an entirely unique suspension set-up. VW did not just pluck a Touareg off the assembly line and put it to use at Baja. The dimensions for the Trophy Truck are 16 inches wider, 10 inches taller, and 26 inches longer (13 inches more in the wheelbase) than the standard Touareg 2 SUV.

Press release after the jump.

2009 Volkswagen Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck

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  • Model: 2009 Volkswagen Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck
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Press release

Volkswagen showcased the breadth of their diesel powered technology during a news conference today at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show. Volkswagen debuted its all-new 50-state compliant Touareg V6 TDI clean diesel SUV along with a purpose-built Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck that will run this years Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.

The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck that will run the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race in the SCORE Trophy Truck class is powered by a 5.5 liter V-12 clean diesel engine that produces 550 horsepower and 625 lbs.-ft. of torque.

Staying true to the off-road prowess that the Touareg is best known for, the purpose-built Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck takes the Touareg’s off-road tenaciousness to a whole new level. With a double A-Arm front suspension that allows 25 inches of wheel travel, and a 4-link rear suspension that allows 30 inches of wheel travel, combined with Fox Racing Shocks, Eibach Coils and BFGoodrich Baja KRT 37x13.5x17 off-road tires the Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck should have little difficulty maneuvering the highly difficult and technical 634 mile Baja 1000 course.

Chassis design and production was handled by Arciero Miller Racing located in Foothill Ranch, California. The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck features a wheelbase of 125 inches, overall length of 213 inches, width of 92 inches, an overall height of 78 inches and weighs 5650 pounds. The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck Body was designed by the Volkswagen Design Center located in Santa Monica, California.

 The Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI is sponsored by Volkswagen of America, Inc., Red Bull, BFGoodrich Tires, Dow Automotive, Oakley, KMC Wheels and Fox Shocks.