Volkswagen Touareg To Get 280-HP VR6 Engine
For those not in the know, or others who may have outright forgotten, the most basic Volkswagen Touareg is powered by a 3.2-litre 15-degree (narrow-angle) V6, known to most as the VR6. It produces 240-horsepower, and has been used to power many other Volkswagens including the R32, Audi TT and A3 3.2 (250-hp), the European-market Passat not to mention the very rare New Beetle RSi.
The VR6 has a rich history, which spanned the better part of the ’90s, powering most everything from the Golf to the sporty but long-dead Corrado. With the exception of the base model Phaeton, unavailable in North America, and the 2000 through 2003 Eurovan, a trend has emerged: the VR6 is Volkswagen’s choice engine for providing considerable amounts of power to relatively lightweight automobiles.
Without any particular stretch of the imagination, the 3.2-litre unit found under the Touareg’s hood is a bit overtaxed, considering the curb weight of this big, two and a half ton, leather-lined Safari cruiser. The spec sheet confirms; even with a six-speed automatic, the burden on the motor is great, taking 9.4 seconds to reach 100 km/h.
So, Volkswagen has done what the masses have begged for from the start - added a more powerful base engine. Starting soon, Volkswagen will replace the old VR6 with an all-new, slightly larger 3.6-litre VR6, which made its debut in the top of the line U.S.-model Passat. Not only does the replacement engine have a 0.4-litre displacement advantage over the old engine, but it also features FSI direct injection, as well as variable valve timing and a variable intake manifold. This makes for a significant improvement in power, up by 40-horsepower and 37 lb-ft of torque. With the new, larger engine, fuel economy is nearly as good as that in the smaller engine, delivering 13.5 L/100 km on a mix between city and highway driving.
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