| Times have never been tougher for luxury 4x4s. | | | | system to a £2,495 air-suspension and bi-xenon |
| Environmental concerns are putting gas-guzzling cars | | | | headlight package - and the figure balloons to |
| under the spotlight more than ever before. | | | | £46,300. If you stick to the standard spec, the |
| So, to keep its big off-roader in the headlines for the | | | | price of the V6 diesel stays at £38,375 - that's |
| right reasons, Volkswagen recently revised the | | | | £17,675 cheaper than its V10 oil-burning big |
| Touareg. In Issue 949, we were impressed by the | | | | brother. |
| V10-powered model's talents - but does the flagship | | | | The good news is that the engine demands few |
| Altitude trim, with a more affordable, less polluting V6 | | | | compromises. Mated to the standard six-speed |
| diesel, scale new heights? | | | | automatic transmission, its 500Nm of torque pulls |
| We drove the previous-generation Altitude in Issue | | | | strongly in both city traffic and at motorway speeds. |
| 924, and its successor has as much visual impact. It's | | | | The gearbox is the model's biggest hindrance, as it has |
| now established as the top model in the three-trim | | | | a reluctance to kick down that often sees the driver |
| line-up, and the most striking feature is its bodykit. | | | | reaching for the much sharper responses of sport |
| With unique bumpers, side skirts and a roof spoiler, the | | | | mode. |
| Touareg has never been more imposing. In fact, the | | | | Use all the available performance, and 0-62mph takes |
| lower bodywork entirely changes the big 4x4's | | | | 9.2 seconds - 1.4 seconds slower than the V10. But the |
| proportions - with less ground clearance, it has the | | | | V6's 26.9mpg fuel economy and 278g/km CO2 |
| stance of a large estate. Other styling additions include | | | | emissions shame the pricier model's 23mpg and 332g |
| stainless steel-finished twin exhaust pipes and huge | | | | km. |
| 19-inch alloy wheels, which give the VW the image it | | | | The lazier pace of this variant also fits in far better |
| needs to tempt Range Rover Sport buyers. | | | | with the Touareg's character. Handling and body |
| The Altitude also benefits from the latest Touareg's | | | | control are adequate for a large mud-plugger, although |
| Eos-style radiator grille and reshaped headlights. | | | | the VW is no driver's car. No matter which engine you |
| Inside, the range-topper is fitted with a raft of | | | | go for, the Altitude is fitted with the latest Touareg |
| equipment as standard. The Touareg's cabin still isn't all | | | | technology. A key safety feature is ABSplus, which |
| that exciting, but it's solidly put together, comfortable | | | | cuts braking distances over rough surfaces by allowing |
| and practical. This model comes with everything from | | | | a bow wave of gravel to build up in front of a skidding |
| dual climate control to leather trim. | | | | wheel. It won't ever be described as a green car, but |
| However, to get the specification of our test car you | | | | the Touareg remains a practical and luxurious |
| need deep pockets. Raid the options list - which | | | | all-rounder. |
| ranges from a £325 tyre pressure monitoring | | | | |