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  1. Five of the fastest SUVs around
  2. Audi Q7 V12 TDI, Le Mans inspired
  3. Volkswagen Touareg R50, R-badged
  4. Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Turbocharged
  5. Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, Naturally aspirated
  6. BMW X6 XDrive50i, Driven

Volkswagen Touareg R50, R-badged

The second turbodiesel in this list of madcap SUVs also shares some Le Mans credibility, the engine powering this Touareg also having featured in a Lola prototype at the famous French 24-hour race. One of only a handful of cars in the VW range to wear the R badge, the R50 Touareg isn't for your shy-retiring SUV driver. Marking itself out as the sporting model in the Touareg range is an aggressive visual makeover that includes a bolder grille, massive 21-inch alloy wheels and deeper front and rear bumpers.

But it's what is under the bonnet that's of most interest. The 5.0-litre V10 has been fettled to produce even more power and torque - the R50 developing 345bhp and 627lb.ft. All that torque is offered from just 2,000rpm meaning you'll never be short of grunt, sa indicated by the R50's ability to sprint to 62mph in just 6.7 seconds. It doesn't feel any slower than its Audi cousin, and at around £35,000 less to buy, that leaves you a lot of money to fuel it.

Kyle Fortune

Tuesday September 23