:/

Here's a suggestion, stick to your T1 and stop complaining.

 

I disagree with you. I am more than happy with how my new T3 performed. Please read the last couple of pages of this thread.

http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f...m/forums/f67/next-sydney-gtg-and-2011-touareg-debut-on-and-offroad-59592-9.html

 

I think your 2011 is not the same as their 2011 in the link you posted . Yours has 4Motion theirs has 4XMotion!

I can understand the OP's violin story to a certain extent, if he truly was a hard core off roader and suddenly looked at the North America spec sheet and compared to the ROW one if he was looking to trade in.

I can't help but wonder, if the Admin of ClubTouareg.com will still be using the "Drivers Found. Mud Wanted" slogan in 6-10 years from now, with all this no air suspension, non 4XMotion debacle?

 

Yes... the 4XMotion has been removed for U.S vehicles... but the chassis is actually 5-percent stronger than the previous generation and that previous gen was already a tank.... so your information there is incorrect.

I disagree with the Nav... it's better than it's ever been and in fact... it's now one of the better ones on the market.

You're either not very informed or a troll. I'm guessing with your post count --- it's likely the latter.

 

I beg to differ - Note the 3.0 V6 TDi with optional 4xMotion (low range)

- Optional Terrain Tech package with 4XMotion® and centre and rear differential lock
- Off-road mode (alters settings of the ABS/ESP/EDL and Hill descent control

New Touareg Range. < New Touareg < Models < Volkswagen South Africa

More detail specs

Off-road abilities
Ground clearance (mm): Standard 220
Ground clearance (mm) with Terrain Tech package front/rear: 230/235
Ground clearance (mm) with optional Air-suspension 300
Climbing ability: Standard 31º
Climbing ability: With Terrain Tech package 45º
Lateral inclination 35º
Approach/departure angle 22º/23º
Approach/departure angle with Terrain Tech package 26º
Approach/departure with Air-suspension 24º/25º
Approach/departure with Air-suspension 33º with Terrain Tech Package
Fording depth (mm): Standard/Air-suspension 500/580

 

VW aren't doing air or the low range package in the US which is why the OP wasn't happy.

I've never used low range or diff lock on my T1 - it's off road every day in up to 18 inches of mud or 2 feet of snow - I just leave it in D and point where I want it to go! The gizmos do the rest.

So I don't think the the latest standard spec/US spec Touareg with its lower gear 1 in its new 8 speed box will give any off road problems for 99.9% of its buyers who will benefit from its lower weight and slightly less complex drivetrain.

 

Hint - if you plan to go off-road then FIT AN ALL-TERRAIN TYRE!!! Go a tad oversize and it'll offer a bit more clearance. The mechanicals you speak of are not the issue. You fit any high performance road tyre and low range and diff locks don't compensate when you get stuck because of crap tyres! As for air, nah, it's not a must have either. I will admit that L and locks do help..............for everything else there's a snatch strap........yep! No shame getting pulled out either.

 

General Grabber UHPs worked very well for me on and off road as they did for the UK's VW Touareg demonstration team [now disbanded sadly], but I am now on the new Grabber ATs - a 50/50 on/off roader - and can recommend them as well.

 

Time to go back and get a Dodge Durango...

siberian

 

Dude, have you seen the new Durango based on the Mercedes GL platform? I never thought I would see the day that I would actually consider buying one!

Read this media bit:

"Mercedes may have taken the house but Chrysler kept the car! The old Dodge Durango was a troublesome truck based SUV with all the prestige of a John Deere. The all new Durango 2011 is just a Mercedes in Dodge clothing – The Mercedes Benz GL SUV to be specific.

Breaking down the engineering such as; suspension, NVH, and interior technology the resemblance uncanny. To all this comfort and styling you add the capability of the Jeep brand, making this a future hall of famer.

One media source said “Mercedes will launch a new GL next year using what Chrysler now has as the mechanical underpinnings of the Durango. Got that? The Dodge is all of the Mercedes and more, at half the price....."

All these guys need to do now, is add a top notch, powerful diesel engine, and the games can begin.

 

You keep what you got! That's my plan and then there's no beef about what it CAN'T do! Mine ain't broke, never has broke, so I don't change it. I'm going fishing!

 

Dude, I read it and folks on the durango club pester me to reconsider. But it don't have air suspension, can't tow near 7,700 pounds, doesn't have a Tiptronic, no Brembo brakes... It certainly is better than what I had but the only MOPAR I'll ever buy again is a 60s/70s muscle car as a project car. I spent too much cash on cr*p (a Durango and a 300M both new).

siberian

 

but the only MOPAR I'll ever buy again is a 60s/70s muscle car as a project car. I spent too much cash on cr*p (a Durango and a 300M both new).siberian

Oi, Siberian...I hear ya! A bit off topic, but check out this Aussie muscle MOPAR and all dude. Check out what it sold for!!

Lot 26 - Chrysler Valiant Charger R/T E38 'Bathurst' Coupe - Classic Vehicle Auctions - Shannons

 

Oilslurper, My point precisely. I would much prefer a 70 or 71 'Cuda with the 440 Wedge or the Superbird, or what I would give to have my 68 Roadrunner back (383, 850cfm Holley DP, Hooker Headers, Cragar mags, Isky cam, Edelbrok manifold, L-60 slicks in rear, 4:11 rear end, Accel mag... 40 years later I can still list all the mods I put in: Mr. Gasket shifter with Hurst brake lock, 8 track player Best run, 11.3. Here's a picture of my Roadrunner back in 1972 and my modded D before I sold it last year.

Dude, Summit Racing etc. offers some stuff to play with but not as much as for a Ferd or GM. As I said, no Tiptronic, no air suspension, no park assist, less towing and I just can't believe they've gotten all the p*ss ass lack of quality control and cheap parts out of the vehicle. Like I wrote them on countless occasions, it's easy to take a fan for granted, it's impossible to get him back when he leaves. Ladies and Gents, siberian has left the bullding

siberian

 

Man, no joke, you REALLY were into it!

I guess I had to hear it from the horses mouth, what would I know about todays American muscle and present status on such .

Very well then, agreed! Let us stick to our Brembo braked, Air suspension equipped, 7700 pound towing capacity, with parking sensor, 4XMotion T1/T2, and hope VW personal read these threads .

 

One can hope but even if they do, THEY know what we need. I've been through this with the greatest (computing) engineering company DEC. They sat in their ivory towers in MA and knew what the customer wanted whilst we who were placed at a leading high energy physics lab 10 years out from what the average customer would need, didn't have the "vision". I'm sure this site is "monitored" by VW as to whether they will take any of our suggestions or concerns and translate that into THE (future) PRODUCT; I doubt it. Sad but true.

siberian

 

That word "vision" tends to irk me sometimes, although very valid indeed. It irks me because I sometimes wonder if the "vision" is simply a controlled state of affairs. Then again, VW vision does not have the best track record in the USA. We are not talking Steve Jobs and Apple vision here. .

 

Here in the UK we wouldn't get away with wide wheels having no cover outside the standard wheel arches!

 

That's why I don't live in the UK The reason was actually wheel spacers in converting from 6 to 5 lug rims since the Dick Cepek ones I wanted didn't come in 6 lug config. The added advantage, since I raised it 2 inches, was to give me a wider wheelbase. The downside was mud all over the vehicle during breakup time...

siberian

 

Wow ...... what a responce. I do like the big tires . They give it a better look

 

Wow ...... what a responce. I do like the big tires . They give it a better look

4 months later he thanks us, nice!

 

LOL just got back home. God Bless the USA. thanks for all the feadback didnt expect . missed my ride more than words can say. best suv made no matter which you drive.

 

Its a big mistake I'm sure VW regrets. The touareg was always know for its off road capabilities. Now it little different than the Q7, or even the Tiguan.

 

Its a big mistake I'm sure VW regrets. .

I very much doubt it.

99% of Touaregs' offroading is limited to mounting a kerb to park illegally or getting out of the grass field at the children's sports day.

Very, very few Touareg owners venture off road properly and even then the low range and diff locks will be used very infrequently [and I know as mine is off road every day and it mostly stays in D or otherwise Tiptronic and goes where I want it to.]

So why engineer a car to a level that is not required by the vast majority of your customers at the expense of their ever increasing concerns over fuel consumption?

Answer? VW don't really give a **** for off road customers but will offer the Escape in some markets if you want it.

And I strongly suspect that most of the folk moaning about the "lack of off road capability" haven't actually tried a T3 to see what it can do. I have. You'll be very pleasantly surprised even on standard road biased tyres!

 

OMG it's massively different vs. the Tiguan.

 

was referring to its off-road capability, not its size. Only the cayanne now in this class has true locker in the US.

 

99% of Touaregs' offroading is limited to mounting a kerb to park illegally or getting out of the grass field at the children's sports day.

99% of Ferrari driving - in the USA - is limited to 65mph roads.

 

On the above Ferrari comment analogy, my take on all this is that Ferdinand Piech was indeed offering niche products made by VW! Very cool if you ask me, and why I love my T1 Touareg, and envy those with the V10's. But it seems VW has now moved away from all that, as strange as it was for them to have gone there to begin with. Narrowing down the target demographic with some of those high end VW models was an interesting case module to study. I sometimes can't help but wonder if it was just a subliminal manoeuvre tactic by the ol' Doctor, to embed in our subconscious minds. :confused2:

 

I thought the only down marketing they did was the new Jetta. But how can you compare to the the T3? It cost more than 2010 T2 in every model except base sport. I still think they should have offered the locking diff as an option, perhaps only in lux or executive.

 

But it seems VW has now moved away from all that, as strange as it was for them to have gone there to begin with.

In Europe one can get a T3 V8 TDI with air, Xmotion and lockable rear dif.

 

In Europe one can get a T3 V8 TDI with air, Xmotion and lockable rear dif.

A very good point you bring up, my North American ignorance got the better of me lad. For even in China, the Phaeton is still sold.