So, after almost ONLY six years of dodging these Texas deer, I finally hit my first one tonight and with the V10 no less after all the the time it just spent in the shop. Bugger jumped out of tall grass in a turn. I had about two seconds to react. Stood on the brakes while gently flicking the steering towards the center line (no oncoming traffic). Deer took the right bumper and headlight square in the shoulder at around 40-50 mph and rolled off to the right. The wife was following right behind (she sent me ahead to 'part the waters' on our way back from dinner and watched the whole thing including the deer rolling of the side. I actually thought for a second she might rear end me!
My daughter in the back was surprised, but unhurt as was I. Fortunately no airbags and no apparent hood damage. Bumper skin show cracking in the paint where it flexed hard. A few gouges in the paint as it moved into various parts under the hood and around the headlight. All latching tabs on the bumper sheered on that side. Headlight lens is visibly cracked across the bottom. Lower trim is pushed out. Plastic above intercooler popped and looks to have gouged the intercooler and the plastic pipe across the top of the intercooler appears to be cracked. Wheel fender liner was pushed back into the tire at speed and popped where the screws pulled at it. Reflectors cracked.
But that's it. No airbags, no leaking fluids, no weird noises. All the lights still work. Despite being pissed for the deer hitting ME, the Touareg once again impressed me with its handling during an emergency braking maneuver. This is the second such maneuver after narrowly avoiding a near head on which required an QUICK lane change into the ditch.
She's being towed to the dealer for evaluation by insurance tomorrow. I don't want to risk damage if the intercooler is indeed cracked. Otherwise, it's drivable. Sigh.
My daughter in the back was surprised, but unhurt as was I. Fortunately no airbags and no apparent hood damage. Bumper skin show cracking in the paint where it flexed hard. A few gouges in the paint as it moved into various parts under the hood and around the headlight. All latching tabs on the bumper sheered on that side. Headlight lens is visibly cracked across the bottom. Lower trim is pushed out. Plastic above intercooler popped and looks to have gouged the intercooler and the plastic pipe across the top of the intercooler appears to be cracked. Wheel fender liner was pushed back into the tire at speed and popped where the screws pulled at it. Reflectors cracked.
But that's it. No airbags, no leaking fluids, no weird noises. All the lights still work. Despite being pissed for the deer hitting ME, the Touareg once again impressed me with its handling during an emergency braking maneuver. This is the second such maneuver after narrowly avoiding a near head on which required an QUICK lane change into the ditch.
She's being towed to the dealer for evaluation by insurance tomorrow. I don't want to risk damage if the intercooler is indeed cracked. Otherwise, it's drivable. Sigh.
