[Dune Buggy]

Walked into John Hughes Vic Park WA today, to enquire about current pricing on a new 180TDI.

The salesman informed me that 4XMOTION is no longer available, ie he can no longer order from the factory even if I wanted to wait for an ex factory vehicle. He went onto explain the VW have discontinued the 4X and now only build the AWD 4MOTION.

So I'm surprised and dismayed at this revelation, to say the least. Can anyone confirm if this is true or just the salesman speaking Sh%t.

If this is true, it's a serious game changer for my next purchase.

Thoughts please?

 

[happygolucky]

No... way....for the 2015 facelift? Maybe Australia is following the US market where they don't have the 4xMotion. arghh.. their website is still the older model.

 

[StevieC]

If true, that would be a pity!

 

[hedditch]

Still listed on VW Australia Webpage......sounds like bullshit to me.

 

[Singh]

That would be tragic!...i hope they continue to offer 4xmotion
Will have to hold onto v10 for a fair while....

 

[chrisw]

it could be possible. The reason that VW gave for stopping 4xMotion in the USA was dues to increasing emissions and millage requirements. VW claimed that the 4xmotion to heavy to meet the fuel economy gains they desired. Aparently you save something like 300lbs when switching from the 4xmotion to the 4motion transfer case.

Its sucks and I feel for you guys over there. the single item that I complain the most about the '13 touraeg is that damn 8 speed transmission. I would rather have a 7 speed with 4xmotion.

 

[roalco]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if they don't stick with the robust fully mechanically locking Torsen center diff, and just redo the lower few ratios in the 8 speed Aisun. Lower weight, no engagement stepper motors to fail, or diff clutch packs that are subject to continuous wear (and if old and worn, may leave you without a locking diff...).

 

[pjod]

Well there is precedent for that (lower first couple of gears & 4motion only) - have a look at the Amarok. Lack of low range has not diluted motoring scribes liking for the ute - won ute of the year a couple of years ago. With 8 speed auto it makes a sort of sense too.

However I hope not personally, but with VW deleting the full size spare option with the current range (which in Aust is crazy with the distances we have - take note VW Oz - still a good reason to keep mine) and reducing the 4Xmotion to just one in the range (V6TDi ant not the V8) it is possible that the next version will see a complete shift from a true 4x4 that competes with Landcruiser, Patrol and Landrover Disco etc to a SUV of the likes of the Kluger etc.

It will be interesting to see if the Cayene has the 4Xmotion (or whatever they call it) available - I cant see VW group only having it available on the Cayene, they would need more sales to amortise the costs. Does anyone know if the Cayene will still have this option?

BTW Chris, what seven speed trans would you be thinking about, over here the early Tregs came with six speeders. Merc had a seven speed I believe.

 

[noobytoogy]

The auto Amarok is an excellent motor. Drives well, tows well, 30 mpg, comfortable for 4, and rides better with about 200-300 kgs in the load space.

 

[Dune Buggy]

Some interesting comments, thanks guys. You will note that VW are only showing the 2014 specs on their web-site currently. So losing the 4XMotion in the 2015 model is certainly possible at this stage. No doubt this will be confirmed once the specs are released for the 2015.

Maybe I don't really need the 4X, I don't do a hell of a lot of off-roading, but I like the fact that it is there and available, should the need arise. Man, what a shame if it's true!

 

[noobytoogy]

99.9% of those people who bought a Touareg didn't need or use the full Monty 4x4 function which was why VW abandoned it thereby saving a lot of cost and weight whilst achieving better fuel economy figures.

However, in doing so, VW alienated a lot of people who don't need it but feel their 4x4 has been emasculated without it.

My car is off road every day and, apart from remembering to engage it to see if it still works once a year, I have never used the gizmo knob - I just point and squirt and the car goes where I want it too.

It was the same when I had automatic Range Rovers though I did use low ratio reverse for reversing a three ton load on the trailer up a particularly awkward driveway as the very low speed gave me total control for the wheel twirling that was necessary to accomplish the manoeuvre and I never once had to brake or stop and have another go!

 

[Eugene-Dave-1]

The single item that I complain the most about the '13 touraeg is that damn 8 speed transmission.

Just out of curiosity what is it about the 8-speed you don't like? Yours may be the first negative comment I've read about it... 4XMotion or lack of is a separate discussion...

 

[chrisw]

Just out of curiosity what is it about the 8-speed you don't like? Yours may be the first negative comment I've read about it... 4XMotion or lack of is a separate discussion...

1) when I am in traffic and it speeds ahead, the transmission will think I want a double down shift when I really want the torque. the double downshift puts the engine into the rpm range where the turbos spool, and then your trying to leave your imprint on the car in front of you...

2) The compromise for getting rid of the 4xmotion was to use a taller 1st and 2nd gear. I don't mind that so much, but the transmission doesn't shift that fast and most of the time I could be starting out of 2nd gear instead of first. None of this is an issue when towing, in fact, I like the programming of the transmission.

3) I drive down a twisty two lane road daily. the speed limit is only 35mph, so you can drive it smoothly. The problem here is when you hit the corners, the transmission unlocks the torque converter and the it will start to hunt for the "right gear" which leads to crappy fuel millage. I can get around this by putting it in manual mode, or as I recently discovered, you can put it in off road mode. Off road mode will program the transmission to hold the torque converter a bit longer and it also seems to keep that annoying double downshift at bay as well.

4) every time I hit the brakes on a incline of more than 5-8 degrees I get a double downshift. Sometimes it's dropping me into 3rd gear @ 50+mph which I do not like on the engine at all when I am not towing. I always throw the transmission into manual when braking on a downhill now. it's almost instinctive. When I am towing, I am willing to put up with this, but only to a certain point. I don't like engine braking over 2500 rpm when towing, thats what your brakes are for!

I keep resetting the transmission but these are traits built into the base programming and not in the learned parameters.

 

[Eugene-Dave-1]

Noted, with respect.

As a general rule I HATE automatics. They're all about compromise. But I think the Touareg Aisin 8-speed gets it right 95% of the time. If I don't like what it's doing, I can flip it to Tiptronic mode and do my own thing.

The absolute worst part of some automatics is "hunting". The 8-speed Touareg TDI doesn't hunt much at all and for that reason I find it acceptable.

 

[nickm]

I see it like Eugene-dave does...I hate automatics too and absolutely love the 8 speed aisin. Never hunts and for the most part gets it right 95%% of the time.

loss of 4X...well...no impact to me personally. my Pickup truck has the low range and locking diffs. Yeah its barbaric compared to the Touaregs setup, but it works.

 

[Eugene-Dave-1]

Hunting: What gear am I supposed to be in??!! 6! No, 8! Wait, no, 7! Oops, let's try 6!

God I hate that! Touareg 8-speed is blissfully free of that nonsense.

 

[schootsie]

ChrisW, interesting on people's preferences. I personally prefer my engine to do a lot of the braking and it frustrates me when it won't change down early enough. 3,500 to 4000rpm with a decent diesel should be fine yet old nanny gearbox electronics say, naaa, 3,000 rpm are the highest revs I'll let you drop to no matter how often you try to downshift.
As I said, choices. John

 

[chrisw]

ChrisW, interesting on people's preferences. I personally prefer my engine to do a lot of the braking and it frustrates me when it won't change down early enough. 3,500 to 4000rpm with a decent diesel should be fine yet old nanny gearbox electronics say, naaa, 3,000 rpm are the highest revs I'll let you drop to no matter how often you try to downshift.
As I said, choices. John

ok, not arguing with you, but my old dodge cummins redlined at 3500rpm. Honestly, if the germans would let me, I would order a 6speed manual.

The touareg is only my 4th crap-o-matic, ever, and my first new car with an automatic. Nothing has really changed, I still hate slush-box transmissions. I would really prefer to have the computerized twin-clutch getrag 7speed gear box over this 8speed azin unit any day.

 

[essay]

It will be interesting to see if the Cayene has the 4Xmotion (or whatever they call it) available - I cant see VW group only having it available on the Cayene, they would need more sales to amortise the costs. Does anyone know if the Cayene will still have this option?

Porsche Cayenne dropped transfer case from 2010 (92A) model onwards.

 

[Packhorse]

Based on the review of 2015 it appears as though 4 X Motion will still be an option. Good News. Have used it a few times on our current trip.