Volkswagen Touareg Facelift (2023) Spotted Testing

[Nairrk]

Volkswagen’s Touareg has been given a mid-life refresh, and our spy photographers have caught the updated large SUV undergoing testing. The current car made its debut in 2018 and has faced a wide array of rivals, from the likes of the upmarket Range Rover to the cheaper Hyundai Santa Fe.

Yet it's a clear case of evolution not revolution for the big VW, because as these pictures show the Touareg’s exterior design has changed little over the current car. At the front it’ll receive Volkswagen’s latest badge on a redesigned grille. And while the headlights look unchanged, the lower grille has been remodelled with larger air intakes at the side.

At the side the pre-facelift 20-inch wheels remain on this test car but we expect a new design of rim to launch with the updated model. There’s very little to differentiate between the rear of this test Touareg and the outgoing model, as the rear lights and the bumper configuration remain the same. Even the ‘Touareg’ lettering remains, although it appears slightly less spaced out than the current version.

Underpinning the latest Touareg will be the same MLB Evo platform as before, which is also found in other VW Group premium SUVs, such as the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. This means the lineup of powertrains is unlikely to change so expect a 3.0-litre V6 petrol with 335bhp and another combined with a plug-in hybrid system producing a total of 456bhp. There should also be two 3.0-litre V6 diesels with 228bhp and 282bhp. Each powertrain will be mated to Volkswagen 4MOTION four-wheel drive system.

Given the Touareg already uses Volkswagen’s largest infotainment screens (a 15-inch display alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel) as part of its ‘Innovision Cockpit’ layout, we don’t expect to see a change here for the facelifted model. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will return as will the Wi-fi hotspot.

The current Touareg starts from £47,605, so expect the facelifted model to nudge £50k for the entry-level model when it goes on sale next year.

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[Nairrk]

New Volkswagen Touareg spied ahead of 2023 facelift

The third-generation Volkswagen Touareg has been with us since 2018, meaning Volkswagen’s premier SUV is ripe for a mid-life facelift. Judging by our latest spy shots a full reveal of the revised model isn’t too far away.

To more successfully rival the likes of the Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery and the recently updated Mercedes GLE, Volkswagen will bestow the Touareg with a technology update inside and a slight redesign of the exterior. The overall range configuration won’t change - those looking for a seven-seat SUV from within the VW Group stable will be served by the Audi Q7 and the Touareg’s MLBevo platform won’t allow for a pure-electric model.

These new spy shots show the new Volkswagen Touareg undergoing the usual winter testing treatment. The front will receive Volkswagen’s updated badge and a restyled grille, while beneath the headlights (which should come with a new LED signature) an extra crease has appeared. Larger air intakes also appear on the model in the pictures and we expect that sportier R-Line and Touareg R versions will get bespoke trim once again.

The pre-facelift 20-inch wheels remain on this test car but we expect a new design of rim to launch with the updated model. There’s very little to differentiate between the rear of this test Touareg and that of the outgoing model thanks to the snow acting as makeshift camouflage. The rear lights and the bumper configuration remain the same. The ‘Touareg’ lettering has been positioned lower on the bootlid, however, and the new VW badge also sits further down with an extra horizontal crease connecting the two rear lights - for a look that’s closer to the North American and Chinese market VW Atlas.

Underpinning the latest Touareg will be the same MLB Evo platform as before, which is also found in other VW Group premium SUVs, such as the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. This means the lineup of powertrains is unlikely to change so expect a 3.0-litre V6 petrol with 335bhp and another combined with a plug-in hybrid system producing a total of 456bhp. There should also be two 3.0-litre V6 diesels with 228bhp and 282bhp. Each powertrain will be mated to Volkswagen 4MOTION four-wheel drive system.

Given the Touareg already uses Volkswagen’s largest infotainment screens (a 15-inch display alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel) as part of its ‘Innovision Cockpit’ layout, we don’t expect to see a change here for the facelifted model. A new infotainment design might be brought out on the Touareg as VW’s upcoming ID.7 has shown a new layout on its 15-inch central screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will return as will the Wi-fi hotspot.

The current Touareg starts from £56,125 in Black Edition trim (the only version now available), so expect the facelifted model to sit nearer to £60k when it goes on sale this year.

Autoexpress

 

[Nairrk]

New 2023 Volkswagen Touareg facelift revealed to take on BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE

The Volkswagen Touareg has just received a mid-life facelift, with changes not only coming to the exterior design and interior technology, but also the way the premium SUV drives. The Touareg is going up against perennial rivals such as the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE, and VW says it has “implemented the wishes of customers in the new model”.

Starting with the cosmetic updates, the facelift is pretty comprehensive. At the front, there’s a new grille, bumper and headlights to give the Touareg a more aggressive look. The rear features a full-width light bar and illuminated VW badge. Fresh wheel designs up to 21 inches in size are available.

Four trim levels will be offered: Touareg, Elegance, R-Line and the performance Touareg R. All models get VW’s ‘Innovision Cockpit’ 12-inch driver’s display and a 15-inch infotainment screen. Voice control and sat-nav have been updated, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now wireless.

Other standard-fit gadgetry includes a powered tailgate, heated front seats, rear parking camera, keyless go and adaptive cruise control. Elegance and R-Line cars add matrix-LED headlights, unique bumpers and a new grille, plus different interior materials and surround projection lighting.

The same five powertrains will continue to be offered, all of which are based on 3.0-litre V6s. The diesel TDI comes with 227bhp or 282bhp, while the pure-petrol has 335bhp. Two petrol hybrids are also offered, one with 376bhp and the other with 455bhp, although that’s reserved for the Touareg R. VW says that both the standard suspension and optional air suspension have been modified to improve comfort and agility.

Order books for the Touareg have already opened in Europe, and while we don’t know how much the newcomer will cost in the UK, expect it to start from around £60,000.

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