I didn't realize the laws of physics changed in the last 60 years. I never said torque was more important than horsepower. YOU were the one that claimed "torque doesn't mean a whole lot" so maybe YOU need to explain that bizarre statement and why millions of people are smitten with EV's and their 100% instantly available torque. The Touareg TDI is a mini-Tesla in regards to torque but unlike the Tesla doesn't have a limited range.
Ohhh this is fun. Alright - so my 2012 Touareg produced 225 hp and 406 ft/lb of torque. A brand new Tesla produces 450 hp (exactly double the hp) and 471 tq - 70 ft/lbs more. Are you insinutating the Tesla is fast because of it's torque? People enjoy Tesla's and EV's because they produce power off idle.
Funny story - when the 7.3 Godzilla f250's came out, I raced one. My Touareg had roughly 330hp based on timeslips I've run - it was stage II tuned, light weight forged wheels, intake mods, exhaust mods, and fuel upgrade mods. Stock torque is 406 ft/lb.. with mods, I'm guessing around 500 ft/ lbs. Anyhow, we raced from a redlight to about 70mph. Guess what. He blew my damn doors off. Because he had more torque?! No. Because stock he had 200hp more than my Touareg and only roughly 70 ft/lb more torque than my Touareg.
Another fun story - go to TFL Truck when you get a chance. Watching some of their Ikes Gauntless videos - where they load heavy duty trucks up and race them to the top of the hill. Spoiler alert - the trucks with the most HP almost always come out on top, and the trucks with the most TQ almost always come out on bottom.
This thread started with your claim that there are plenty of better alternatives and so far I have not heard a single alternative that has the same combination of torque, mpg and suspension. Your attempt to rattle off a dozen different cars all combined might have the same characteristics as the Touareg TDI but not a single one has ALL the characteristics of the Touareg TDI in one car.
EV's. The end. A Cyber Truck, Lighting, Rivian, and several others are all rated to tow more than a Touareg and several EV trucks can out-handle a Touareg. Your "BUT MAH MPGZZZ" argument is out the window because nobody is importing diesels anymore (there are baby Duramax being produced but they're showing to be highly unreliable the past few years). IN fact, every single small diesel engine in the USA has been proven to be unreliable. You'll have to accept there will likely never be another small diesel in the USA, ever. And for good reason. An Ecoboost f150 with the 2.7 has a higher tow rating and gets similar MPG to a diesel Touareg. I've already posted numerous automobiles that can out-do the TDI in every aspect including reliability.
There are more A3's for sale than ALH's is your argument that the A3 will last longer? They've been making the A3 up to 2020 and the Mk4 ceased in 2005. Gee a car they have produced more recently and in much higher numbers is still for sale while a car that stopped production 15 years earlier is harder to find is a mystery to you? I suspect a lot of ALH's are now in the hands of people who will not give them up. Just compare how desirable a Mk4 gasser is vs. a Mk4 TDI. Nobody wants the Mk4 gasser just as no one will want to the A3 gasser for the reasons I stated before (emissions for gassers gets harder and harder each year whereas there are no emissions testing for diesels). The A3 gasser is easily replaceable with a Honda civic whereas a simple to fix 50mpg diesel ALH with plenty of low end torque is not replaceable and never will be given where ICE vehicles are going.
Thats literally your argument that I'm rebutting. There are thousands upon thousands of Audi A3 for sale, and dozens upon dozens of MKIV TDI for sale. And I sternly disagree with your other point - an MKIV with the VR6 is MUCH more sought after. I'd argue even a clean 1.8t is more sought after than the TDI. LOL again w/ this "LOW END TORQUE" crap argument. Bruh - your 1.9 TDI does 0-60 in 8 seconds and a 1/4 mile in 18 seconds IF its in good, working order. Please stop w/ this "BuT It HaS tEh TorQUEz" bullshit. My A3 is 1,000,000x the car my TDI was. This isn't the 90s anymore. We dont need 90hp unreliable turds to get good MPG.
What year did Audi win Le Mans with a diesel engine for the first time in history? That year was 2006. That was the pinnacle of TDI development and during the mk4 years and combined with the simplicity of the ALH engine I plan to run my car into the 1 million miles before the wheels fall off.
Ah yes - the twin turbo v12 diesel. Why was it such a winning automobile???? I think you'll be shocked to find out... it had more HP than any other automobile in the race and a fantastic power curve due to twin chargers. LMFAO - a common rail twin turbo 5.5 v12 is the same engine as your 1.9, rotary pump ALH eh? Now thats epic.
I forgot about the Bentayga so this platform was reserved for Bentley's, Lambos and Porsches and you have the added benefit of torque + excellent mpgs all at a VW price. You won't find a better bargain.
A new Touareg can hit $110,000 USD - a "bargain"? A new SQ7 has 550 hp and 558 TQ for less than $100k.
Still waiting to hear from you a single comparable vehicle that has the same combination of torque, mpg and suspension and you can still find these Touaregs for much less than the cost of the junk (MBZ, BMW, etc) you listed.
