Revamped Touareg 200kg lighter

The new Touareg offers a variety of engines, including a hybrid. Photo / Supplied

The all-new Volkswagen Touareg - expected to land in New Zealand late this year - is a lifestyle vehicle the carmaker claims is 200kg lighter and up to 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than the current example.

Pictures show the Touareg has borrowed its design cues from the clean lines of the Golf Mk VI and Polo hatchbacks. The front end especially is the face of the new VW family album.

The carmaker says the new design gives the second-generation model greater presence, without sacrificing the functional requirements of short front and rear overhangs for off-roading.

At 4758mm, the 2010 Touareg is 40mm longer than the current model. So is the 2900mm wheelbase.

Its width of 1928mm is the same but its height has been dropped by 20mm to 1724mm.

VW says the vehicle's extra length has improved interior leg room, although the Touareg remains a five-seater with maximum boot space of 1642 litres, depending on seating arrangement.

The changes over the 2003 model extend far beyond new styling, says Volkswagen.

Equipment includes an eight-speed transmission, stop/start fuel-saving technology and touchscreen satellite navigation.

Options run to air suspension, lights that dip for oncoming traffic and seats that massage backs and backsides.

The line-up of engines include V6 and V8 diesels and, for the first time, a petrol-electric V6 hybrid. It's a supercharged 3.3-litre unit delivering around 245kW/355Nm on its own and 290kW/575Nm with the aid of the electric motor.

The electric motor can operate independently of the engine at up to 50km/h, says VW. In tandem, the drivetrain gives the Touareg a claimed zero to 100km/h sprint time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 240km/h.

VW says the hybrid is good for 8.2 litres/100km (34.4mpg). Its C02 exhaust emissions rating is 193gr/km.

The entry-level engine is a reworked 3-litre V6 TDI unit producing 180kW and 540Nm. VW claims town and around fuel economy of 7.4 litres/100km, or 38mpg, and a C02 rating of 195gr/km. The top-end Touareg uses a 4.2-litre TDI V8 engine putting out 250kW and more than 750Nm.

Its combined fuel useage is a claimed 9.1 litres/100km (31mpg). C02 rating is 239gr/km.

VW has reworked its all-wheel-drive 4Motion system for off-road work. The new option is called 4XMotion and allows both centre and rear differentials to be locked in the rough stuff.