Club Touareg Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

2012 Touareg air suspension

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
T

TouaregNL

· Registered
Joined
·
4 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi there,

My dad is the proud owner of a 2007 R5 TDI VW Touareg and is now planning on buying a 2012 V6 TDI Touareg.

The current Touareg is equipped with a steel spring suspension and is a very comfortable car. We have tested a fully equipped 2012 Touareg with adaptive air suspension and we noticed that the Touareg has evolved (just like the price) when it comes to comfort. The sales person of our local VW dealer told us that we should definitely order the adaptive air suspension because that's way more comfortable. I assume he is right, but we haven't tested a 2012 steel spring Touareg. I hope you can answer my question: is a 2012 Touareg equipped with adaptive air suspension more comfortable than the Touareg equipped with the standard steel spring suspension? In other words: is it that more comfortable that we should consider ordering it?

I also have a second question: a VW sales person of an other dealer told us that the 2012 Touareg with adaptive air suspension lowers itself on the highway (+ 60 mph, 100 kmh) to be more fuel efficient. I have heard the previous generation did that, but I'm not sure if he is right about that with the 2012 Touareg. Well, I can't find any information about it and I also didn't notice it while testing the new Touareg as previously mentioned.

I thank you in advance for answering my questions.
 
#2 ·
Sadly, no air suspension was offered in North America on the newest iteration of the Touareg, so I fear you will have to wait for an English speaking ROW club member to chime in on this one.

My T1 is equipped with the air suspension and I love it. I love my cake and icing. I envy the fact it is offered over the pond and not here. One of the deal breakers for me in fact if I were to be shopping for a replacement SUV, although truth be said, the new Touareg manages to be on the top of the list even without air.



 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Ah, I didn't know that. Thank you for your reply, I think that's because the European Touaregs are built in an other factory. If I'm correct the European Touaregs are built in the Czech Republic and the North American Touaregs are built in Mexico. Let's hope someone from an other continent can answer my question. But I think someone from the US can answer the following question:
Is the 2012 Touareg with steel spring suspension more or just as comfortable as the previous generation Touareg with steel spring suspension?
 
#4 ·
All Touaregs are bult in the same factory. No Touaregs are built in Mexico...VW has a plant in Mexico, but the only vehicle that comes to North America from the Mexico factory is the beetle.

VW build different configuations and different packages for various markets around the world. Every automaker does this.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#6 ·
nickm said:
All Touaregs are bult in the same factory. No Touaregs are built in Mexico...VW has a plant in Mexico, but the only vehicle that comes to North America from the Mexico factory is the beetle.

VW build different configuations and different packages for various markets around the world. Every automaker does this.
Click to expand...
And the Jetta, and I believe some Golfs are coming from Mexico too.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#10 ·
To answer your first question about the comfort of an air suspension vs. steel;

Air suspension is much more comfortable and convenient.

This past week it rained very bad in Houston and a number of streets flooded to about 2 feet. while other suv's were stalled out, I was driving with no worries for that I set the height to EXTRA OFF ROAD and I was driving threw the water with 18 wheeler and fire trucks. Upon exiting the high water I set it back down to AUTO and AUTO dampening and I was on my way.

For the same token I went to the beach and set the height to OFF ROAD and turned off the ESP and had a ton of fun on the sand.

When driving around town I have the height set to OFF ROAD. When my speed hits 45mph the height automatically lowers 2 levels, when I slow down below 45mph it raises to the OFF ROAD height.


You are much better off getting your 2012 Touareg with Air Suspension. You'll love the options you have at your finger tips.

And yes the comfort with Air Suspension is better then steel. I've driven both.
 
#11 ·
ameoba said:
And the Jetta, and I believe some Golfs are coming from Mexico too.
Click to expand...
Yes Jettas come from mexico now, but Jetta production is moving to the new Tenessee plant to be built there with the Passat...that plant is cutting edge and is capable of building different vehicles on the same assembly lines!

Golfs all come from Germany, the rpevious gen came from mexico.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#12 ·
nickm said:
All Touaregs are bult in the same factory. No Touaregs are built in Mexico...VW has a plant in Mexico, but the only vehicle that comes to North America from the Mexico factory is the beetle.

VW build different configuations and different packages for various markets around the world. Every automaker does this.
Click to expand...
The Jetta line is built in Mexico. I owned a 2009 Jetta Sportwagen TDI which was built in Mexico .
 
#14 ·
After test driving a few 2013s, the #1 reason I went for my 2009 was the air suspension. The #1 and a half reason was the savings. :-D

The versatility of the air suspension is indescribable... You have to go through day to day situations while driving to truly understand. Entering a bumpy road full of potholes? No problem...set the dampening setting to Comfort and, if necessary, the ride height to off-road. About to enter mountain road twisties? Sport mode will not disappoint!

I really hope they bring 4XMotion and air suspension options back to the NA market. I love my '09 but would consider trading it in for a new one if it included those two options.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#15 ·
TouaregNL said:
I also have a second question: a VW sales person of an other dealer told us that the 2012 Touareg with adaptive air suspension lowers itself on the highway (+ 60 mph, 100 kmh) to be more fuel efficient. I have heard the previous generation did that, but I'm not sure if he is right about that with the 2012 Touareg. Well, I can't find any information about it and I also didn't notice it while testing the new Touareg as previously mentioned.
Click to expand...

Loading level: At loading level (below 5km/h), the ride height is 147mm.

Sport level: Ride height is 172mm. Above 190km/h, the vehicle is automatically lowered by 10mm.​

Road level: At road level (below 140km/h), the ride height is 197mm. Above 140km/h ride is automatically lowered to sport level (172mm)​

Off-road level: At off-road level (below 70km/h), the ride height is 247mm. Above 70km/h, ride is automatically lowered to Road level, and will automatially resume Off-road level when speed is reduced below 40km/h. You can lock Off-road level but speed is limited to 70km/h through electronic override of throttle.​

X’tra level: At X’tra level (below 25km/h), the ride height is up to 300mm. Above 25km/h ride is automatically lowered to Off-road Level, and IIRC will only rise again once you re-select X'tra level.​
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#16 ·
unkydunky said:
Off-road level: At off-road level (below 70km/h), the ride height is 247mm. Above 70km/h, ride is automatically lowered to Road level, and will automatially resume Off-road level when speed is reduced below 40km/h.
.
Click to expand...
Would like to change the 70 lowering speed to 85. Does anybody know if this can be done thru VCDS?
 
owns 2024 Audi SQ5
View garage
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#19 ·
Kenhard said:
it lowers above 40 mph (if higher ride height selected)-not 40 Kph.
Click to expand...
I think you have misread my post re Off-road level.

Off-road level automatically lowers ride to Road Level above 70 km/h or (about 40mph) - we are in agreement there.

Ride will only only automatically resume Off-road level when speed is reduced below 40 km/h (about 25 mph).
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#20 ·
evaddirb said:
Would like to change the 70 lowering speed to 85. Does anybody know if this can be done thru VCDS?
Click to expand...
I have seen posts where this has been done via VCDS for T1/T2. I have not checked whether it can be done for T3.

I will check with my VCDS and get back to you.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
About this Discussion
19 Replies
12 Participants
Last post:
unkydunky
Club Touareg Forum
posts
784K
members
105K
Since
2003
Club Touareg Forum is a forum community dedicated to Volkswagen Touareg owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about VW Touareg Sport Utility Vehicles and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Maintenance & Repair Australia & New Zealand Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Wheels and Tires Mobile Electronics and In Car Entertainment General Touareg Discussions