27-12-2004
“South-South-West” could be the display on the off-road navigation system of the Touareg Expedition if customers use it to find the nearest oasis in the Sahara. The Touareg has already proven its off-road qualities impressively. Volkswagen Individual now offers the first fully-fledged expedition version of Volkswagen’s off-road vehicle.
17-inch AT tyres on “Canyon” aluminium rims and sports suspension with the vehicle raised by 25 millimetres in the basic package ensure that the vehicle remains in contact with the ground even on treacherous corrugated desert tracks. The roof and exterior mirrors are painted in Reflex Silver metallic, and are thus optically differentiated from the rest of the vehicle which is painted in Off Road Grey metallic.
To illuminate the darkest of nights, two additional spotlights are located on the robust roof rack. The roof rack also has room for the optional car-roof tent – an excellent viewing platform for watching the sunset in the Sahara or at the local lake. Alternatively, the roof rack can be fitted with a second spare wheel and two 20-litre fuel canisters – the nearest filling station could be quite a distance away.
The equipment package also includes further features such as the exterior spare wheel, tyre pressure system, rear differential lock, a second battery, front fog lights, removable towing attachment, net partition, rubber mats in the footwells, tinted side and rear windows, and the robust Crystal Grey Cricket leather upholstery. The Touareg Expedition is available with a choice of engines: the V6-engine, the R5 TDI diesel and the V6 TDI. Prices start at 50,800 euros for the R5 TDI.
Underbody protection, tried and tested at the Dakar rally, is available as an optional extra: sill protection and seven high-strength aluminium parts shield all sensitive underbody parts from stones and rocks.
However, if the vehicle does get stuck, the optional winch with a pulling power of 3,600 kilograms will get it back on solid ground. The customer can have transparent protective films applied to the vehicle below the windows to protect the paintwork against scratches sustained in the undergrowth.
Glass fibre reinforced plastic traction plates and an expedition case with recovery strap, shackles, an Airjack vehicle recovery jack, and folding spades can be ordered as expedition extras.
The Touareg Expedition can be ordered ready for adventure in tough expedition conditions.
Text and photos courtesy of Volkswagen AG
