2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2

Sequels and spin-offs share the same problem. No matter how good the movie, how successful the sitcom, they sit in the shadow of the originals they follow. Lost is the ability to take us by surprise. As with media, so with motorcars. Volkswagen rolled out the first generation of its Touareg SUVs in 2003. The new, 2008 models are in showrooms now. Touareg 2 is very good, but despite VW's claim of more than 2,200 new parts, it's more of a model refresh than it is a clean-sheet makeover. And therein lies the marketing dilemma. In the Land of the Attention Deficit Disorder, subtlety's a hard sell. If it's not a new plot, how do you get people to pay attention to the sequel?

Packaging

That the second generation Touareg isn't brand, spankin' new should be neither a surprise nor a sales deterrent. After some initial, quality control teething pains, the first versions quickly established themselves as highly capable, dual duty SUV's. Five years later as the latest versions roll out, VW's refinements have simply made a very good vehicle more so. The most noticeable upgrades in the new, Touareg 2 are in the form of packaging and refinements. VW has, for example, taken a Thoreau-like approach to options for 2008. Simplify, they said, and as a result, the number of possible vehicle configurations has dropped from a daunting, previous total of 1,536 to the relatively tidy sum of 208.


Content was rethought with an eye toward offering high demand items in bundles that make sense together. So, the Lux package groups Bi-Xenon, articulating headlights, leather seating surfaces, walnut trim, a 12-way passenger seat, and an upgraded center console for $2,900. Tekkies will gravitate toward the Technologie (sic!) package ($3,350) and its DVD navigation system, rear view camera, sound system upgrade (Dynaudio 620 watt, 10 channel, 10-speaker, trunk-mounted, six-disk CD changer). It's worth noting that if you want to play your iPod/MP3 through the sound system, this is the only way to do so on Touareg 2. The radio design—a carryover from the 2003 models—does not lend itself to a simpler fix. The streamlined, stand-alone options list includes things like a trailer hitch ($500), locking rear differential ($700) and air suspension ($2,750). Off-roaders will also be able to buy undercarriage protection items from their dealers.

Styling

Some of what's new for Touareg 2 concerns what the eye can see. Sheetmetal from the A-pillars back is largely unchanged. But, Touareg now shares the family face adopted by all VW models. The shield-shaped grille is framed by a pair of slash-cut, horizontal headlights. Directly below, honeycomb grille-work faces the air ducts, capped by a horizontal chrome band. The taillights are also revamped, echoing the shape of the front. Meanwhile, the roofline sprouted a small spoiler that deflects precipitation away from the glass, and adds a skosh more aero. Four new hues have been added to the color pallet, and fresh, alloy rim designs are offered in 17-inch (V6) and 19-inch (V8, V10) sizes.


Inside, Touareg 2 still has a well-dressed cabin, upgraded now with a 12-way power driver's seat as standard equipment, along with Sirius Satellite radio and park distance control. Touareg 2 will hold six footers fore and aft with a little accommodation between the row's occupants. Fit and finish are first rate. The layout of all main switchgear is logical. Especially in vehicles with the navigation system and air suspension, the center stack is pretty well packed with controls. This button busyness is a byproduct of the tech-laden nature of a premium SUV. A few interior nits remain to be picked, like an awkwardly placed shelf beneath the front seats (noticeable only when the seat is fully extended) and rear quarter visibility hindered by backseat headrests. Cargo capacity is a definite plus. Touareg 2 holds 31 cubic feet in back, expandable to 71 cu. ft. when you fold down the split, rear seats. Access to your gear is improved by a newly standard power lift gate.