2011 Volkswagen Touareg Gets Hybrid Engine

NICE, France — Volkswagen is set to release the second generation of its Touareg, featuring a new look that has resulted in a weight loss of 350 pounds. The real news, though, is VW's first global use of a hybrid engine. The automaker gave details on the 2011 Touareg ahead of the 2010 Paris Auto Show.

For 2011, the Touareg is available with a 3.0-liter V6 TDI clean diesel that makes 225 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, a 3.6.-liter FSI V6 gasoline engine making 280 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, or the 3.0-liter TSI supercharged V6 hybrid that pairs the engine with an electric motor and a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. The Touareg can go up to 30 mph on electric power alone. The hybrid engine offers combined horsepower of 380 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque — as VW puts it, "V8 power with better fuel efficiency than a V6." All three engine choices are combined with an eight-speed transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

Appearance-wise, the 2011 Touareg is shorter and wider, with a longer wheelbase for more cabin space. More curves, fender flares, a chrome accent strip and shaped chrome exhaust tips are among the exterior changes for what VW calls a more "muscular" appearance. The Touareg also gets LED running lights and bi-xenon headlamps.

The tailgate automatically opens and closes, with controls inside the vehicle, at the tailgate and on the key fob. Sport, Luxury and Executive trim levels are offered, with wheel and tire sizes from 18 to 20 inches. The hybrid model has the 19-inchers. The panoramic sunroof is substantially larger than the outgoing model's; it's standard on all models but the Sport level.

The interior gets the expected electronic amenities including a touchscreen navigation system with an 8-inch screen, DVD/CD player with MP3 and satellite radio, a 60-GB hard drive and 3D navigation display. An improved head restraint system, standard electronic stability control and anti-slip regulation are among the safety features.

EPA estimated highway fuel economy is 25 miles per gallon for the Touareg hybrid, in part thanks to regenerative braking and a standard stop/start system. The diesel Touareg offers EPA estimated 19 city/28 highway fuel economy, while the gasoline-engined Touareg offers 16/23 mpg, which is a 19 percent improvement over the previous gas-engined Touareg, VW says.

Inside Line says: It's official; VW hybridization has arrived. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent