( WCF ) - Volkswagen's United Kingdom branch has started selling the mighty Touareg R50 that features VW's famed V10 TDI engine. The 4x4 Touareg R50 with 4MOTION is said to be the swansong for Touareg as VW has no plans to introduce a Mk2 version. New policy dictates that VW brand products don't compete directly with Audi. So although it beats the Q7 4.2 TDI, it's unlikely an even bigger Q7 V12 TDI rival will bear the VW badge.
Some work has gone into upping the 5.0-litre V10's power output in both kiloWatts and Newton metres. From now the R50 is introduced with 257kW on the boil, up from the standard 230kW. Torque hasn't been left to its own devices either as pulling grunt increases by 100Nm to 850Nm. Line up those Boeing 747s boys; it's major tow time! Suitably the R50 gives the 0 - 100km/h time a good wink in just 6.5 seconds, making it about as quick as the Golf R32. Top speed is the mandatory 250km/h.
A set of 21-inch 10-spokers man the alloy wheels to kickstart the looks differentiation. A matt chrome grille with honeycomb inserts features upfront, while the rear has to make do with a mere roof spoiler, body-coloured bumper and oval tailpipes. UK prices commence at ?61,885 (RRP OTR)/ €81,177.
