Motor reviews | On the road

Volkswagen Touareg R-Line 3.0 TDi by Bill McCarthy

NOT many brands have a full-fat SUV as their range topper. But sitting at the top of the VW tree, the Touareg gets better and better.

It’s a vehicle the group says is the best they can possibly build at the moment. So it needs to be good. And it is. A real executive model, it is capable of challenging the best.

On sale in the UK for 16 years, it has also sold one million worldwide.

The stable has now been joined by a third powertrain to the model’s previous line-up of 3.0-litre V6 TDI engines, with all three units available in SEL, R-Line and R-Line tech specs.

The 286ps power output on this model also delivers performance in spades.

Power is delivered to all four wheels via Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, with a limited slip differential combining with the system to give sharp road handling.

The last word in technology, it features the Innovision cockpit, where the digital instruments (Digital Cockpit with 12-inch display) and the top Discover Premium infotainment system (with 15-inch display) merge to form a digital operating, information, communication and entertainment unit that hardly needs any conventional buttons or switches.

The MDI, or multi device interface is the brains of the car controlling sat nav, infotainment and Apple and Android connectivity, telephone and audio connection for two compatible mobile devices, plus the dynamic eight speaker audio system speakers.

It is pretty sharp-featured for such a vehicle, with a large three bar chrome grille, slim headlights, large alloy wheels and integrated roof bars.

The R-Line body styling kit on this model has front and rear bumpers, side skirts and side sills with unique R-Line badging.There are further chrome surrounds to door sills and window frames.

Inside it does look like a cockpit with the touch screen layout, wide central console with auto gearshift lever and all-wheel drive selector, all with neat chrome finish, as there is on the multi-function steering wheel. It also has large storage box with a phone charging facility.

Fitting and finish are high quality with soft touch finish throughout and large, comfortable, electrically operated leather seats on this model.

The classy finish is enhanced with ambient lighting, door sill protectors and light strips below trim in front and rear doors and dashboard. Equipment is comprehensive as you would expect from a car of this nature.

These include 360 degree camera and parking aids, climate control, dimming mirror, and puddle lighting with integrated indicators and reverse activated kerb-view adjustment on passenger’s door mirror; electric windows, front and rear automatic electric opening rear tailgate.

On the road, the V6 TSI 340ps is an impressive performer.

It powers the big vehicle to 62mph from a standstill in 5.9 seconds before going on to a top speed of 155mph where permitted. The uprated suspension with slip differential also means the car rides better and handles well enough even on twisty country lanes.

Economy is a claimed 42.5mpg, with CO2 emissions of 173 g/km.

It has four traction modes including normal, off-road, off-road individual and snow and a choice of four drive settings: Eco, Comfort, Normal and Sport driving modes, depending what kind of mood you are in and who’s in the car with you.

Practicality is excellent, withis a maximum load capacity of 810 litres or 1,800 litres with the seats lowered and there are varous cubby holes and drinks holders throughout.

Towing is also no problem with a maximum weight of 3,500 kg possible.

Factfile

Volkswagen Touareg R-Line 3.0 TDi 4MOTION

Price: £55,195

Mechanical: 286ps, 2,967cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 8-speed automaticgearbox

Max Speed: 137mph

0-62mph: 7.5 seconds

Combined MPG: 42.5

Insurance Group: 41

C02 emissions: 173g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

E-Class cabriolet

By Bill McCarthy

The British just love getting their tops off. This is despite a climate that is, or certainly has been, unpredictable.

But it does seem we are getting more sunshine, with fewer, although heavier rainy days.

So cabin times comes around more often. There’s probably two types of enthusiast, those who love the wind in the hair, two seaters, with all the attendant noise and exposure to the elements. Then there’s those who still like the wind in the hair, but also love a bit of comfort, even luxury and Mercedes are really good at that one. Plump for options like Airscarf neck-level heating system and Aircap, which helps to redirect the air flow over the cabin. So there’s fresh without damage to your nether regions.

The E-Class is a fine example, a two-door, four seater with a soft top that has all the bells and whistles you would expect for a car approaching nearly £50k.

Standard kit includes Control suspension; Magic Vision Control wiper system; LED high performance headlights; reversing camera; heated front seats; and ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours.

There are three three engine versions, including the two litre 194bhp version here.

It looks stunning, with longer wheelbase than previous models, thereby increasing interior room.

A standout vehicle, it has smooth flowing lines with a coupe style silhouette, with or without the roof down, while the large three-pointed star on the diamond grille, flanked by LED headlamps is instantly recognisable.

The interior too, is mightily impressive, even decadent with high quality trim and finish plus high-quality sculpted leather seats and swirled wood effect finish on the dash

The highlight is the two optional high-resolution 12.3-inch displays which merge beneath a shared glass cover to create a widescreen that appears to be floating where all the systems and controls are monitored.

The driver can choose from three different styles for the virtual instruments in the instrument cluster: “classic”, sport” and progressive”.

The whole system takes some working out via the multimedia system and other functions: touch controls in the steering wheel for finger-swipe control, a touchpad that recognises handwriting and the a controller in the centre console, which also performs touchscreen options.

Major functions like air quality, vehicle dynamics, sat nav, infotainment and connectivity are controlled this way.

Between the supportive seats is a wide centre console that is free of handbrake or gear controls. Gear selection is via a dainty little column-shift switch, the parking brake is a switch in the traditional Mercedes position down by your right knee, and the area between the seats is dominated by the solidly-made touchpad for media controls.

Once familiarised, this is intuitive and avoids the sticky-fingerprints-on-screen misery of touchscreen systems. It’s also one of the most pleasing tactile elements of the car, a solid lump of metal with a glassy, clicking surface like a high-end laptop.

A masterpiece of craftsmanship, even if the auto gear change is still on a steering wheel stalk!

But the star of the show has to be the fabric roof, which folds away in just 20 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 30mph. The acoustic fabric means that when in situ, the excellent soundproofing means passengers are well insulated from the outside noise of wind, tyres and general traffic noise.

At the press of a button, this system reduces the interior turbulence for the rear passengers, too.

Larger and more luxurious

On the road, the two litre diesel has plenty of grunt, producing 194bhp with an equally impressive 400 Nm of torque, which means power is on tap virtually all the time.

It propels the car to 60mph in just 7.7 seconds, while still delivering a claimed 53.3mpg and emissions of 141g/km. It is a refined power unit with little evidence of diesel clatter, even with the roof down and absent with the roof up.

Go fully auto, or select sport mode with the paddles for a more engaging drive. Handling is pretty good. The sleek shape means there is little wind noise, only the large tyres deliver unwelcome road noise.

It is a large car and the only real downside is manoeuvrability because of the huge doors, and limited rear view. There’s little you can do about the door, except find wide parkings spaces, but parking sensors and the 360 degree view camera, an option on this model, make it fairly painless.

This car also shows cabrios can be practical, with a long boot of 350 litres capacity, which is further enhanced the 50/50 folding rear seat backrests to allow through loading.

The all-new 50:50 folding rear seat backrests create a through-loading feature in the interior, boosting the E-Class Cabriolet’s everyday practicality.Generous centre-cubby storage with a divided, butterfly-door armrest and good sized doorbins provide room for clutter, though the cupholders are worryingly close to some expensive electronics. Standard equipment includes adaptive brake lights and active brake assist, cruise control with speed limiter and attention assist.

The optional Driving Assistance package can significantly reduce fatigue, with class-leading low-speed lane-keeping and adaptive cruise, evasive steering assist and automated overtaking with cruise control and blindspot detection.