Touareg capabilites for off-road - info please

[unky dunky]

Hi,

I am seriously looking at a Touareg MY12 to start doing the 'grey nomad' thing including the Kimberly's or Flinders Ranges this time next year. As a total novice to off-road touring, I have some numpty questions, please.

Is the 150TDI up to it ... or is the 4X4Motion needed? And is Air Suspension option an important requirement (noting it is not available on 150TDI).

Can the Touareg be fitted with recovery points? I notice there are two plugs on the front bumper but I presume these to cover tie-down points, and I guess tie-down points would not be sufficiently robust for recovery?

Can the Touareg take a roo bar? ... and does anyone make a roo-bar for a Touareg?

Personally, I am very attracted to the 4X4Motion with Air Suspension, but the missus needs me to explain the value proposition for the extra $20k or so over the 150TDI. We looked over the new TDI176 yesterday, and it 'ticks all my boxes'.

[Transporter]

I believe that the Touareg is as capable as any other 4x4 there, but I would go for air suspension because that gives you extra ground clearance.

[R36 Dreamer]

Hi,

I am seriously looking at a Touareg MY12 to start doing the 'grey nomad' thing including the Kimberly's or Flinders Ranges this time next year. As a total novice to off-road touring, I have some numpty questions, please.

Is the 150TDI up to it ... or is the 4X4Motion needed? And is Air Suspension option an important requirement (noting it is not available on 150TDI).

Can the Touareg be fitted with recovery points? I notice there are two plugs on the front bumper but I presume these to cover tie-down points, and I guess tie-down points would not be sufficiently robust for recovery?

Can the Touareg take a roo bar? ... and does anyone make a roo-bar for a Touareg?

Personally, I am very attracted to the 4X4Motion with Air Suspension, but the missus needs me to explain the value proposition for the extra $20k or so over the 150TDI. We looked over the new TDI176 yesterday, and it 'ticks all my boxes'.

I think only the 4motion has high and low range too eh?

I think the top of the range is more suited to offroading, but it depends how serious you are likely to get.

The Air suspension would be great in respect of towing, as it will keep the car nice and level and improves the ride. My RRS has air suspension and the ride is sublime - assume the Toureg would be the same.

Not sure about 4x4 accessories - it is difficult to ccome by them on small volume brands in Australia - Toyotas etc. have a wide range, but VW, LR, Merc have very little. If accessories are important to you, maybe another brand is a better alternative? Also when you go to sell a heavily accessorised car you will have a smaller possible audience, as many people will shy away from a car which looks like it has done hard yards.

Just my 2c worth - the new Toureg is a sharp looking car. Good luck with the purchase.

[unky dunky]

I think only the 4motion has high and low range too eh?

Nope, 150TDI (4Motion) is AWD with only high range gearbox whereas 4X4Motion is high & low range. Hence my question as to whether the 150TDI is suitable for off-road touring. Or in other words, does one require a vehicle with low range in order to tour the Kimberleys?

[Transporter]

I would say that a low range gear box is essential when you plan for serious off road trips. IMO, if you don't plan for buying a new car every 3-5 years, it pays to spend a bit more and get what you really want, unless you pay only cash.

[Ralphs]

I am trying to make a similar decision also for remote touring next winter. From what I read here and another Touareg forum the 4xmotion with air suspension is the best. The guys say the low power is fine.
But your question is really how far will 4Motion with no low range take you. Same as my question .... where can't I go ?? Last year my wife and I hired a VW T5 campervan from Darwin and toured down to Kakadu amoungst other things. I was very keen to visit Gunlom falls but no could do without a real 4x4. I am currently reading Gregory 4x4 Australia 50 short getaways. This has really excellent realist descriptions of the track difficulty. So as an example to got to Bungle Bungles the drive to Knunnanurra is all black top but you won't go the last 25Km without low range. So my view is its always the last few KM's. Probably worth getting a copy of the book and checking some of the places on your list.
Hope this helps.

[phaeton]

T5 4Motion is really about added traction than serious 4wdriving - that said with certain modifications it could go anywhere.

The Touareg with 4Motion and Audi Q7 with quattro are capable vehicles and with the right tyres they could possible go further than some could imagine - Audi did a Trans-Continental stint when they launched the Q7 proving that it is capable without low range.

Touareg with 4XMotion will go anywhere but has very limited backup in aftermarket modifications like bullbars etc.

Amarok would be the right vehicle if you plan to go bush IMO as there is heaps of aftermarket accessories available here with ARB etc.

[idaho]

... Or in other words, does one require a vehicle with low range in order to tour the Kimberleys?

I haven't been to the Kimberleys but maybe a related question is do you want to take the chance that a wheel speed sensor failure at the back of beyond might mean no traction control and open diffs with a 150TDI? Whereas having the the same sensor failure with a 4XMotion still leaves you with centre and rear diff locks if necessary (unless there is some bizzare logic in the diff lock system).

[unky dunky]

To all who have responded, thanks.

I have done some further research ... in particular going over the very detailed guide 'Destination Kimberley'. It seems the main issue up there in the dry is not so much the need for genuine 4X4, but more so to have adequate ground clearance. In this regard, 150TDI is perhaps not suitable because it cannot be fitted with air suspension option. Even so, there are some places that only a 4X4 can access.

Regarding suggestion to consider Amarok , while it might be capable off-road, I am not sure it is my style ... and I am not yet convinced a 2.0l engine is really suitable for towing a van long distances.

[Ralphs]

Hi Unky Dunky

Is the Destination Kimberley guide good value?

Thanks
Ralph

[T Rex]

Hi Unky Dunky

We have owned a V6 TDI with air suspension for 3 years. It has been superb. We haven't tested it fully in the outback yet however the capabilities displayed so far suggest it would at least equal our previous Prado and two Range Rovers off road and I wouldn't hesitate to take it to the Kimberleys.

Ground clearance is important and the air suspension does give you a bit more (300mm max) but also the low range capability is important in true off road conditions such as the Simpson Desert or Kimberleys when the going can get tough - especially in deteriorating weather. The low range 1st gear is the best auto fpor hill descents I have ever had.

If you are thinking about towing anything the air suspension also shines as it keeps the car level.

Without the 4xmotion with low range it is merely another luxury SUV and not suitable for the really tough stuff.

Cheers

Geoff

[phaeton]

One negative the new Touareg has is no full size spare but at least it has a space saver - wouldn't want to bush when you have to use it, its tiny for a 4x4 spare.

[unky dunky]

One negative the new Touareg has is no full size spare but at least it has a space saver - wouldn't want to bush when you have to use it, its tiny for a 4x4 spare.

Yes, the space saver is a PITA. I intend getting a full-size spare(s) and putting on roof rack for touring.

Took the plunge today and ordered MY12 4XMotion with air suspension.

[phaeton]

Yes, the space saver is a PITA. I intend getting a full-size spare(s) and putting on roof rack for touring.

Took the plunge today and ordered MY12 4XMotion with air suspension.

Congrats should do the job

Is a spare an option? Read the brochure yesterday didn't see it listed.

[Transporter]

Yes, the space saver is a PITA. I intend getting a full-size spare(s) and putting on roof rack for touring.

Took the plunge today and ordered MY12 4XMotion with air suspension.

We bought the extra spare wheel as well, immediately after we got the Treg, (ordered from the VW spare parts and bought the same tyre that were on Treg). The best is that we never had to use it.

Anyway, congratulations! ...and what colour and other options you've got? And now the most important thing, how long do you have to wait?