The Volkswagen Touareg PHEV Inside the new Touareg The Audi A6 e-tron If you ever needed any convincing that the way to save the planet is through technology, then look no further than the biggest and best VW has to offer. Not only is the new Touareg larger and more powerful, it defies green logic, as the petrol version has a lower CO2 count than the diesel. I must admit this curious motoring hack was left scratching his head when I discovered that the 3.
0-litre V6 was cheaper to buy and tax than its oil-burning sibling. The road tax alone is worth mentioning – €1,250 a year versus €150 – while there’s almost five grand in the difference between RRPs. What makes the tale of the tape even more unbelievable is the fact that the PHEV, which weighs in at over 2.
5 tonnes, is a proper all-singing, all-dancing 4x4 that can tow up to 3,500kg. Being its flagship SUV, the new offering is super luxurious too, with all the premium trimmings. For starters, it sits on gargantuan 22-inch, five-spoke, two-tone rims, sports a piano-black grille, matching roof rails and coast-to-coast signature LED rear-light cluster that now illuminates the VW logo in the middle.
Inside, it takes styling tips from its Audi cousin, with sumptuous quilted leather seats, chunky multi-function steering wheel and soft-touch materials at every touch. The style is accentuated by ambient lighting (with 30 colours), which adds a sense of calm – especially in purple – as does the panoramic tilt/slide sunroof. The piece de resistance though is the 15.
5-inch high-definition touchscreen in the centre, which is home to phone, apps, music – plus a 180-degree colour reversing camera. The driver is treated to a fully interchangeable digital binnacle with head-up display as an option. Inside the new Touareg It’s super spacious too, with oceans of head, leg and elbowroom a for all five passengers.
The absence of two extra pews (it is offered only as a five-seater) may put some off but the enormous boot even in the PHEV – it can swallow up to 680 litres of luggage – will appeal to growing families. VIP passengers in the rear will love the fact that the two outer seats actually recline and slide forward and back. VW resisted the temptation to sink a larger battery in the rear, which means that this hulking beast’s EV-only range is reduced to 50km, which for city folks is probably enough.
Not so good for those covering larger commutes, which saw the 14.3kWh battery depleted by the time I hit the M1 from Sandyford via the M50. That said, the six-pot petrol is not left wanting when it comes to sheer grunt – bucking the trend for most hybrids.
The combo of the two motors, which sends power to all four corners, will see this monster SUV sprint from 0-100kmh in just 5.1 seconds. That’s achieved by a total of 462bhp which is channelled through VW’s sublime eight-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
For your added comfort, there are seven drive modes and with adjustable air suspension fitted as standard, the ride is flawless. The only downside is the consumption of the PHEV when you’re in petrol mode. It is thirstier than a 20-stone docker on a Friday evening.
You won’t get anywhere near the official figures of 2.1-2.5 litres/100km.
We struggled to keep it in single figures and averaged over 10 litres per 100km, or 28 mpg in old money. That said, if you are willing to shell out €103,050 for the plug-in petrol (our test car weighed in at €116,000), then I doubt you’ll be too worried about the price of juice. For that kind of cash though, I think I’d like something a little bit posher – or even Porsche-ier.
The Audi A6 e-tron Coming hot on the heels of the Q6 is the fully electric A6 e-tron fastback and estate. It is the second model to be built on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform and its 800-volt architecture. That means it will be powered by the same 100kWh (94.
9 kWh net) battery unit, which will see it cover up to 750km on a single charge. It also promises super performance (362bhp) – accelerating from zero to 100kmh in 5.4 seconds.
An even quicker S6 Quattro is available and it is packing a face-peeling 542bhp and comes with launch control (0-100kmh in 3.9 seconds). The Audi A6 e-tron offers a range of wheel options, including standard 19-inch five-arm alloys while the S line gets 20-inch “five-spoke tripod” rims in graphite grey.
The S model also comes in a range of exclusive colours including Daytona grey pearl effect and Siam beige metallic. Both variants feature the latest lighting technology, with a three-dimensional design, and come with digital light signatures, plus OLED rear clusters. Inside, you’ll get a similar cockpit to the Q6 with a panoramic digital display, combining three screens – a 11.
9-inch Audi virtual cockpit, a 14.5-inch infotainment display and a special 10.9-inch screen for the front-seat passenger.
They can choose from a suite of apps, including YouTube and Netflix, and thanks to privacy shield, they won’t distract the driver while watching. Order books open in September, with Irish pricing and specs announced shortly. This year’s Dublin Horse Show is a very special one for Land Rover, as it marks the 20th year of its sponsorship of the thrilling Defender Puissance event.
The Defender Puissance wall starts at a height of 1.80m, which steadily climbs for each round until it reaches the dizzying height of 2.20m.
Each competing horse must clear the wall, leading to an exciting knockout finish. On each day of the show, which runs from August 14 to 18, visitors to the Family Area can also enjoy a unique drive experience in Mini Defenders. Kids with an appetite for adventure can get behind the wheel of the tiny SUV as they learn to steer and navigate a bespoke course designed for future drivers.
On Saturday, August 17, Defender owners are invited to enjoy complimentary refreshments in the comfort of the Defender Lounge before catching all the action at the Defender Puissance in the Main Arena. Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
