2009 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI (50-State Legal)
Following the wildly successful introduction of the Jetta TDI diesel sedan into the U.S. market, Volkswagen is preparing to follow-up with the Touareg TDI, which shares its engine with the previously announced Audi Q7 diesel.
The Touareg TDI is powered by a 3.0L turbocharged diesel V-6 producing 221 hp. and 406 lb-ft of torque. That mountain of torque is available from 1,750 RPM and hustles the Touareg to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds on the way to an electronically-limited top speed of 130 mph. The All-Wheel-Drive Touareg boasts strong fuel economy numbers; 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, according to Volkswagen. Helping the Touareg achieve those numbers is a six-speed automatic transmission.
Volkswagen claims that its 3.0L TDI engine is one of the cleanest six-cylinder engines in the world. Thanks to a Selective Catalytic Reduction catalytic converter and a urea-injection system, Volkswagen says they've reduced NOx emissions by 90%. The Touareg TDI has received both BIN5 and ULEV II emissions ratings and is 50-state legal.