Fridae

If Bentley, which is owned by Volkswagen, is ever going to make a SUV, they probably would need little work, since Volkswagen��s latest Touareg R50 has the sheer ability to move the planets with its new phenomenal performance diesel engine, wafting along roads while staring down the roads at lesser beings.

As part of Volkswagen��s chairman Ferdinand Piech��s ambitious plans to establish Volkswagen as a premium carmaker, the Volkswagen Touareg had always been the most successful among the four leaves in his plan. (The VW Phaeton, VW Passat W8, VW Touareg and a Roadster which never materialised.) With last year��s update to the Touareg range, the largest Volkswagen SUV had never looked better especially compared to the badly styled cousin Porsche Cayenne. With the ��R�� grille treatment, new bodykit and distinctive 21�� alloys, the Touareg R50 is easily the most ��bling�� looking SUV without resorting to aftermarket solutions. Move over, Range Rover Sport!

The recently launched Volkswagen Touareg R50 comes with a monstorous 10-cylinder diesel engine. Packed with only 350 horsepower but backed with 850Nm of torque available at an unbelievably low 2000rpm, the Touareg��s high kerb weight of 2,602 kg seems to evaporate with the driver��s right foot. Acceleration while at a standstill takes a heart stomping 6.7 secs, which is deeply impressive considering there is a slight hint of turbo lag. Now, you would expect me to tell you that this is the fastest performing diesel SUV in the world however Audi has just launched its Q7 with an even fiercer 6.0 V12 Tdi in Europe. Regardless, the Touareg R50 is in a league of its own as it delivers the delicious pulling power. Its gear acceleration is extremely addictive as I had repeatedly blast down my favourite expressway, hoping that the sensation from the full throttle blast can pull some years away from my face. A DIY facelift, wishful thinking!

No, the engineers at Wolfsburg did not manage to defy the laws of physics by turning Volkswagen��s largest SUV into a sporty hot hatch. Housing such a huge and heavy diesel engine, the Touareg R50 has done well dynamically by any standards. Anyone who has been behind the wheels of the base petrol model will marvel at the improvements the Touareg R50 demonstrates, less roll and less diving under hard braking. While the steering is too light for my liking, it remains faithful and disciplined at all times, which is very important given the amount of power the high performance SUV possesses. There is always a firmness to the way the Touareg R50 rides, however it is never excessively knobby or crashy. This is one SUV that can be driven quickly while remaining a nimble and comfortable drive under all weather conditions.

The interior of the Touareg is where it shows its age. Having been launched in 2003 where button-infested interiors where the norm, the Touareg R50 did not escape the cluttered look, but it did give me more confidence while negotiating the use of the gadgets compared to ��a single knob�� solution provided by rivals. Further damaging the R50��s interior was the dashboard which lacks any architectural merit that inspires sportiness or luxury. However, the sound system by Danish sound system specialist, Dynaudio exclusive to only the R50 packs a punch with outstanding clarity.

For now, this is the fastest and most powerful diesel-engined SUV in Singapore. The Volkswagen Touareg R50 has plenty of street cred, given the eyeballing I received during my time with the attention grabbing SUV. The sheer presence and absolute power are appealing and intriguing. Somehow the Touareg R50 presents itself as a rebellious buy, a strong and bold anti-establishment statement. Hurry before emission laws straps us all on to battery-operated refrigerators!

	Volkswagen Touareg R50
Engine	10-cylinder, V-Formation, Bi-turbo diesel
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic Gearbox, Four-wheel Drive
Max. Power	350 BHP @ 3500rpm
Max. Torque	850 NM @ 2000 rpm
0-100 km/h	6.8 secs
Top speed	235 km/h
Fuel Economy	12.6 L/100km (combined cycle)
CO2 emissions	333 g/km (Euro IV compliant)
Dimensions (L x W x H) / Weight	4754mmX1928mmX1703mm / 2602kg
Price with COE*	$298,000* $11,542.00 (Road Tax per annum)

*Prices quoted are indicative of prices in Singapore. Please contact your local distributor for prices in your country.

Industry info: Plans for the Touareg MK II (2010 at earliest) have revealed reworked version of the current platform but with less weight and more room (to cater for the American market) via a longer wheelbase.