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