Some brands, like Jeep, are legendary for off-roading. While others don’t share the same reputation, it hasn’t stopped them from entering the market. At least, that’s the case with the Volkswagen Touareg. While the premium SUV is an unlikely contender in the off-road segment, it’s blazing a trail in new territory.
For 2008, the Touareg gets a facelift as well as a name change: Now, it’s known as the Touareg 2. It’s an exceptional off-roader, tackling some of the toughest terrain in the mountains of Barcelona, Spain.
Our course, nestled on more than 500 hectares of land, is the toughest I’ve ever faced. Three trails are carved through the mountains, a mix of unpredictable surfaces, from large muddy ruts to gravel to steep slippery rocks. Six kilometres doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a gruelling trek that takes more than an hour to complete. To make matters worse, there’s no barrier or fence along the path to prevent you from tumbling down the mountainside. Creeping gingerly beside the edge, it’s a constant reminder, taunting your every move.
Thank God for small miracles – well, in this case, a tall, lanky one – my driving partner, another journalist and former 4x4 off-roading instructor. He guides me through the toughest areas, offering tips to tackle the treacherous terrain. Several times, the SUV teeters delicately on rocks, two wheels dangling several feet off the ground as sweat rolls down the small of my back. It’s a white-knuckled drive, but features like engine braking assist, hill climb and descent assist, and air suspension help me conquer the land.
My tester’s V-8 engine is powerful, as is its permanent four-wheel drive system. New safety features, like rollover sensors on the side-curtain airbags, are also comforting. “ABS plus” is a definite asset, too – it reduces the braking distance on loose surfaces, like gravel, by up to 20%.
By the end, I breathe a sigh of relief. My back and armpits are drenched in sweat; my white shirt glued to my clammy, soaked skin. The VW Touareg 2’s fresh washed gleam is gone; now only dirt and grime remain. But it conquered the trail with confidence and, I might add, without a scratch on the undercarriage.
At $49,975, the base 2008 Touareg 2 actually costs less than the 2007 model, which starts at $51,525. The V-8 version costs significantly more, starting at $64,775.
The 2008 Touareg 2 is a German engineering marvel, capable on or off road.
Petrina Gentile Zucco is one of Canada’s top auto-reviewers.
Image courtesy VW
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