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Volkswagen Touareg Bluemotion : BIG BLUE

Expert Rating: 3 out of 5

The Touareg BlueMotion is Volkswagen's luxury 4x4 trying to go green. Steve Walker reports.

Starting from a sound economical base like a Polo supermini or Golf hatchback makes the manufacturer's job of creating an environmental special that much easier. Once the modifications have been carried out, they are far more likely to end up with impressive-sounding figures to tempt the buying public. With the two-tonne Touareg BlueMotion luxury 4x4, Volkswagen was battling the laws of physics from the outset. Even if a huge boost in efficiency had been achieved, the best course of action for Touareg customers looking to lower their environmental impact would be to get a smaller car. As a result, the Touareg BlueMotion is better viewed as a vehicle for those who want or need a luxury SUV but would like to spend as little as possible running it. Viewed like that, it might just make sense.

At least the BlueMotion version of the Touareg uses the vehicle's most fuel efficient engine and not the monstrous 5.0-litre V10 diesel. It's the 3.0-litre V6 TDI oil-burner that takes pride of place but with 222bhp in this guise, it's 15bhp down on its usual power output. 0-60mph performance isn't greatly affected dropping from 8.3s to 8.5 seconds and there's still 500Nm of torque available to keep things moving along nicely. The engine has been optimised for economy in the BlueMotion model with modifications to the software and the fitment of a more efficient alternator as part of a regenerative braking system. The car is also lowered by 25mm which helps aerodynamics on the road but won't do anything for performance off it. The Touareg rides much more firmly than most luxury 4x4s and its suspension helps it corner with real balance and composure. It shares its basic chassis architecture with the Porsche Cayenne and the on-road competence this leads you to expect is delivered in some style. On the standard models, permanent four wheel drive and a low ratio gearbox are taken for granted, but factor in selectable front and rear differential locks, hill start with descent assist and very short overhangs; it all makes for an awesome off-road tool. The BlueMotion will be less capable as a result of its lowered suspension but should certainly cope with that gravel driveway without the need for a push.

"…Volkswagen's efforts to make its Touareg as green as it can be in BlueMotion do have merit"

As well as the dropped suspension, the Bluemotion Touareg features other aerodynamic modifications designed to ease its passage through the air and cut fuel consumption. There are low rolling resistance tyres as well but otherwise, the vehicle looks much as any other Touareg would. The latest models have sleeker headlamps and the H-shaped Volkswagen grille adding gravitas to the front end along with the horizontally split air-intakes in the bumper. The rear is also a smarter proposition with its spoiler and neat light clusters. The lack of a 7-seat option will hinder the Touareg's appeal to family buyers but there's plenty of room for five adults to get comfortable and their luggage should fit in the extremely spacious boot. The Touareg never feels less than well built and although the dash is a little overloaded with buttons, the controls are solid to the touch. The interior doesn't have the elegance of a Range Rover's or the slickness of Audi's Q7 but it certainly isn't put to shame in this illustrious company. The display screen isn't well integrated with the rest of the centre console and the control interface for its various functions isn't particularly intuitive. There's the feel of a car that has had lots of equipment and classy trim inserts thrown at it to liven-up an otherwise ordinary interior. Of course, it's only ordinary in comparison to the rest of the luxury 4x4 elite, cars with some of the most opulent cabins anywhere. It's possible you get your hands on the Touareg in basic BlueMotion or posh BlueMotion SE trim. As standard, buyers get cruise control, 17" alloys, a multi-function steering wheel and a decent stereo. The SE model ups the anti with dual-zone climate control, touch screen satellite navigation, leather trim and 18" alloy wheels. There's a big price premium of nearly £3,500 needed to get the SE version but the BlueMotion versions are less than £500 over the equivalent standard car which looks like good business. The modifications made to the Touareg BlueMotion improve is fuel consumption from 30mpg to 34mpg. At the same time, emissions go from 244g/km to 219g/km. This doesn't sound like a massive advantage, especially considering the 40mpg economy you could expect from an executive estate car costing around the same amount. In reality, however, the BlueMotion could save its owners a sum in the region of two pence per mile compared to a standard Touareg. Drivers covering an average mileage could pay for the BlueMotion upgrade inside 18 months. No luxury SUV is ever going to be the poster car of the environmental movement but people will continue to buy them so Volkswagen's efforts to make its Touareg as green as it can be in BlueMotion do have merit. The regenerative braking, aerodynamic fettling and other tweaks improve economy to 34mpg which is very commendable for a two tonne 4x4 that retains a decent turn of pace. The BlueMotion Touareg is better viewed as an exercise in saving money than the planet and for a modest premium over the standard 3.0 TDI model, it can deliver real world savings on tax as well as fuel. With few notable drawbacks, the BlueMotion upgrade seems a sensible move for the Touraeg customer on a tighter budget. Volkswagen's big 4x4 itself remains one of the best value choices in the sector as long as you can live without that prestige badge.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Volkswagen Touareg BlueMotion
PRICES: £34,150-£37,545 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 219g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.5s / Max Speed 126mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 34mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front/side/curtain airbags / ABS / ESP / Brake Assist/ hill descent assist / hill start assist
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm [air suspension], 4754/1928/1726

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Tuesday June 23