| It's named after a nomadic, hearty Saharan | | | | seats, a powerglass sunroof and 17-inch |
| tribe with the unusual- | | | | alloy wheels.The electronically controlled |
| | | | permanent four-wheel drive, electronically |
| sounding name, TOUR-egg. Literally | | | | |
| translated, the word means "free | | | | regulated shock absorbers and double |
| | | | wish-bone suspension |
| folk."So what better way to test drive the | | | | |
| Touareg -- the first SUV offered by | | | | enhanced the vehicle's nice road |
| | | | handling.The Touareg's most intriguing |
| Volkswagen -- than during an open-road, | | | | feature is its three varying locking |
| 400-mile round-trip journey to | | | | |
| | | | differentials that can offer up to 12 inches |
| the famed Monterey Peninsula?Certainly, my | | | | of ground clearance |
| chosen route south on Interstate 5 has long | | | | |
| stretches | | | | depending upon road or off-round terrain |
| | | | surfaces.I had the standard differential |
| where anyone who enjoys the pleasures of | | | | engaged during my entire journey, and |
| driving can feel "free."But 30 miles into my | | | | |
| journey, a sensor warning appeared on the | | | | the Touareg didn't disappoint. It |
| | | | accelerated well and handled lane |
| console panel: "Defective tire on board."The | | | | |
| same warning had also appeared sporadically | | | | maneuvering and cornering nicely.On some |
| during my first two | | | | ascents, the vehicle was slightly |
| | | | underpowered and during |
| days with the vehicle in short, around-town | | | | |
| treks. A local Volkswagen | | | | long straight highway stretches, a |
| | | | windshield "whistle" interrupted an |
| dealer representative said many Touaregs | | | | |
| have suffered through the | | | | otherwise quiet, smooth ride.My test Touareg |
| | | | also featured a nearly $6,500 options |
| same "growing pains."In short, owners | | | | package, |
| noticing the same warning have brought their | | | | |
| new | | | | including a navigation system ($2,650), an |
| | | | 11-speaker, 325-watt, 12- |
| vehicles to dealers with concern. But | | | | |
| they've largely discovered nothing | | | | channel audio system and a single CD changer |
| | | | ($2,200). Add leather |
| is wrong with the exception of an overly | | | | |
| sensitive computer system.In my instance, the | | | | and 12-way power seats, upgraded headlamps |
| warning quickly changed to a danger light: | | | | and a rear differential |
| "Flat | | | | |
| | | | lock and the Touareg's price increased to a |
| Tire." I stopped at freeway exit service | | | | hefty $41,815.The audio system, while |
| station and examined what | | | | powerful, included a complicated channel and |
| | | | |
| appeared to be four properly inflated tires. | | | | mode selection formula that can easily |
| Nonetheless, I increased tire | | | | distract a driver with varying |
| | | | |
| pressure slightly in all of the tires, noted | | | | musical tastes. Volume and channel controls |
| that the warning and danger | | | | are also available on the |
| | | | |
| lights disappeared and continued with my | | | | steering wheel, near the controls for the |
| trip.Through three more days mixed with city | | | | easy-to-use cruise control.Considering its |
| and freeway miles, the | | | | new position in the luxury SUV market, |
| | | | purchasers of the |
| warnings appeared and disappeared several | | | | |
| times, and I subsequently | | | | Touareg are likely not in the market for |
| | | | fuel efficiency. Still, the |
| read about the Touareg's first recall for a | | | | |
| related problem with its Tire | | | | manufacturer's estimates of 15 mpg (city) |
| | | | and 20 (mpg) highway didn't |
| Pressure Monitoring System | | | | |
| (TPMS).Nonetheless, the local dealer had | | | | hold true during my test week.After several |
| assured me there wouldn't be a | | | | days of driving primarily highway miles, I |
| | | | refilled the tank |
| problem. And with that in mind, I began a | | | | |
| steady, if slow, study of a | | | | and calculated the mileage at disappointing |
| | | | 14.1 mpg.2004 Volkswagen TouaregSafety |
| powerful vehicle that includes a multitude | | | | features -- Driver and front passenger |
| of innovation, a spacious | | | | (front, side and curtain) |
| | | | |
| interior, a comfortable ride and a sensory | | | | airbags and supplemental restraint system, |
| overload of features.The Touareg I drove was | | | | three-point seatbelts (all |
| equipped with a 3.2-liter, 24-valve, 220- | | | | |
| | | | seating positions), child safety rear door |
| horsepower V6 engine and had a base price of | | | | locks, tire pressure monitoring |
| $34,900. The blue-silver | | | | |
| | | | system.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 15 mpg |
| exterior was nicely complemented with an | | | | (city), 20 mpg (highway)Warranty -- Warranty |
| anthracite-colored interior.The standard | | | | -- New car limited four years/50,000 miles; |
| features list was long and included such | | | | |
| unique offerings | | | | Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, |
| | | | 12 years/unlimited miles.Price range -- |
| as five 12-volt power outlets, dual zone | | | | $35,000 to $46,000.James Raia is a syndicated |
| climate with rear vents, a | | | | journalist in Sacramento, Calif., who writes |
| | | | |
| multifunction trip computer and compass, a | | | | about sports, fitness and business topics as |
| recharging mini-flashlight | | | | well as the free electronic |
| | | | |
| and power heatable exterior | | | | newsletters Endurance Sports News and Tour |
| mirrors.Additional special features included | | | | de France Times and The |
| heatable driver and passenger | | | | |
| | | | Weekly Driver, a car review column. |