Volkswagen Touareg plug-in hybrid version unveiled: 1,000km range but still criticized

As the flagship of Volkswagen's SUV camp, the Touareg just completed its model upgrade in September this year. The new car is based on the same MLB Evo platform as the Audi Q7, Lamborghini Urus and other luxury cars. Today, the Volkswagen Touareg PHEV plug-in hybrid version was officially unveiled in Beijing. The overall shape of the new car is not much different from the fuel version. Even though it is more environmentally friendly inside, it does not prevent its appearance from continuing to have the aura that a flagship SUV should have.

The rear of the new car is the same as the fuel model, with the word "TOUAREG" inlaid under the brand logo, which is more concise and solemn, like a tribute to the deceased Phaeton, and seems to be leading the trend of the family's new generation of models. It is expected that more high-end family models will use this design technique in the future (Volkswagen Phideon has already used it).

The most noteworthy thing about the new car's debut is the change in its power system. Equipped with a new 2.0T plug-in hybrid system, its engine has a maximum power of 270kW, matched with a motor with a maximum power of 100kW and a peak torque of 700N·m. Officials say it only takes 6.3 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, and its comprehensive cruising range can reach 1000km.

The data on paper does look amazing, but it is not difficult to find the "embarrassment" in it if you think about it carefully. After all, with the blessing of the electric motor, the new car should have stronger explosive power in the initial stage of acceleration by taking advantage of the motor's better power response, but the actual situation is that the acceleration ability of the Touareg plug-in hybrid version is only better than the 2019 entry-level version (for the Tiguan L plug-in hybrid, it is better than the entire series of fuel versions).

In addition, the "amazing" range of 1,000 km is also worth mentioning. Taking the entry-level fuel model as an example, the comprehensive fuel consumption level of 9L per 100 kilometers combined with a 90L fuel tank can also achieve a range of 1,000 km (in theory). It seems that the plug-in hybrid model does not provide better acceleration performance and endurance experience.

At the same time, in order to achieve the same cruising range as a fuel vehicle, the charging time must be taken into additional calculation. Otherwise, not only will the pure fuel endurance be reduced, but it will also have to drag a large battery to run. I really don’t know what kind of rich people such an "environmentally friendly luxury car" will be sold to. What do you think?

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.