The new third-generation Volkswagen Touareg has arrived in Australia in a solitary grade: a burger-with-the-lot, fully-loaded Launch Edition.
Due to the delay in certifying newer engines for stringent EU emissions standards (and pent-up international demand), the newer, cleaner diesel Euro 6 diesels destined for the Touareg won't arrive until mid-2020, around six-months later than first thought.
Until then, the 190kW/600Nm turbo-diesel V6-powered Launch Edition SUV will be joined by full-time variants powered by the same 190kW engine initially.
"We expect an entry and mid-spec variant later in his year. But both of these will run the 190kW V6 TDI. The WLTP delays around the other engines necessitate that," Volkswagen Australia's general manager of corporate communications, Paul Pottinger, told carsales.com.au.
"This is no bad thing - even the entry Touareg will have 190kW/600Nm to be going on with," he said.
Eventually the 190kW engine shared with the Amarok ute will be replaced by at least two new diesel engines, the 170TDI (170kW/500Nm) and 210TDI (210kW/600Nm) variants which are also V6 diesels. Entry price for the former is tipped to be about $75,000.
The upcoming Touareg's newer, more efficient turbo-diesel 3.0-litre engines adhere to more stringent Euro 6 emissions regulations. The 190kW Touareg Launch Edition engine is Euro 5 compliant only.
Priced at just under $90,000 (before on-road costs are added) the Touareg Launch Edition model is armed to the teeth with high-tech features, including a large 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless phone charging and IQ light matrix LED headlights that adapt their beam to suit conditions and avoid dazzling other drivers.
You can scope out our previous yarn on the Volkswagen Touareg Launch Edition with its big 20-inch black alloy wheels and Savona leather seats with massage function up front.
Regardless of the variant tie-up, "supply is solid" for the Launch Edition, says Pottinger.
"We’re confident of meeting demand even though this [Launch Edition] looks to be more popular than expected."
There is also a range-topping triple-turbo 4.0-litre V8 turbo-diesel model available overseas which packs an almighty 310kW/900Nm wallop. Borrowed from the impressive Audi SQ7, it stops the 0-100km/h clock at a sports car-like 4.9 seconds and would cost more than $120,000.
But as Pottinger explained, there's "no word yet" on the V8's local arrival. If it was available? "We would take it, you bet," he added.
Power for every Touareg will reach all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and at this stage the car will be a five-seat vehicle only.
When the regular VW Touareg model range comes online in Australia from late 2019, expect pricing to range between $75,000 and $100,000.
Standard features across the new Touareg SUV range are tipped to include the latest iterations of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) complete with predictive pedestrian monitoring via improved sensors. Lane assist with lane guidance, traffic jam assist, front and rear cross traffic alert, side assist and proactive occupant protection systems will also be standard.
One thing that Aussie Touareg's won't get is a push-button operated flip-out tow-hitch. Offered to European buyers, the system is off the menu here because it won't pass Aussie safety requirements.
Volkswagen is touting the new Touareg as a more luxurious and more powerful SUV that will be more satisfying to drive.
Given that the new German SUV is based on the VW Group's versatile MLB platform architecture, which also underpins a number of high-end SUV such as the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and even the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga, these are not idle claims. Our road test of the new SUV overseas suggest it is a robust machine.
"The Touareg is of huge importance, if not in actual volume then as a brand flagship," said Pottinger.
"With the top model in place, we now have to address the other end of the SUV showroom. By the end of the first quarter in 2020 we'll have the full portfolio in place - T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg."
Just don’t expect seven-seat versions of the Touareg – or petrol engines to join the range in Australia.
"The petrol question is complicated by the fuel quality issue. Until the functionality and longevity of engines with petrol particulate filters can be guaranteed on Australia's petrol, we can’t think about selling them," stated Pottinger.
"As to the seven seat idea, it’s not something customers are demanding en masse. We’re happy to position the Touareg as a fully luxurious five-seater," he said.
Despite the high asking price, Volkswagen Australia's director of customer experience and marketing, Jason Bradshaw, insists the new Touareg is more than a match for the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5 and "better-priced than all of these" too.
"This Touareg is the most luxurious SUV yet from Volkswagen, one that can be legitimately compared with group stablemates, with which it shares much more than mere underpinnings, in addition to rivals from Mercedes-Benz and BMW."