VWS V6 controller Amarok and Touareg on a comparative trip

In addition to electromobility and low-capacity four-cylinders, there are also emotional engine construction with strong six-cylinders under the hood in the Volkswagen Group. Namely Amarok V6 TDI and Touareg Hybrid R. Which take? Depends on.

Volkswagen is somehow a brand for the people (even if the prices are usually not popular), but there was a different Volkswagen than today. Before the downsizing and electrical trend was once a six-cylinder in the strongest Golf. There were convertibles with a high -capacity V6, and this engine was also in the Passat. And there was the luxurious Phaeton with eight and twelve cylinders.

And today? In brand perception, the ID models as well as offers such as Golf, Passat or Tiguan and T-Roc dominate with those less emotional engines. In general, one wonders how long there are even combustion engines and, above all, desirable combustion at Volkswagen.

At least still, Volkswagen cannot just have bread and butter cars. For example, there are the boys and fine all -wheel drive à la Amarok and Touareg. And here the Wolfsburgers continue to rely on six -cylinder. But which take, Amarok or Touareg?

Apart from the all -wheel drive and the number of cylinders, which still mobilizes a large fan base, it looks lean with connecting elements. In one point, the two offers are even diametrically opposed, but this is good for decision -making. Incidentally, only interested parties with Ford brand knowledge recognize that the current Amarok is a cooperation product together with Ford. The fittings and display wear the Ford manuscript, while the lush seats are typical Volkswagen. Is not as glamorous as in the Touareg (more on that later), but it is already clear.

The amarok is comfortable, but sometimes stubborn

In any case, the Amarok is not lacking in seating comfort, although the handling and comfort chapter is completed completely differently. What is due to the motorization and the chassis or the entire type of vehicle. So let the six-cylinded Ford triangle start. Really read, the driving rate comes from the tenth of the tenth of the tenth of the tens of converter to the Ford shelf. Doesn't matter, sniffer-resistant, yes, cultivated sound, he delivers, and that's what it goes.

Burschikos, however, is still acting the double cabin, which is nevertheless exhausted, because the stable ladder framework is primarily designed, so to speak, primarily for difficult distances (800 millimeters of wading depth). With the expanded all -wheel drive modes including various differential barriers, the skills are more with coping with rough passages than in the well -groomed transportation on a smooth asphalt.

The steering indifferent, the Wendekreis huge with 13 meters. I better not control a parking garage with the cool-looking 2.4 ton workers (not least the Ferris wheel stand of 3.27 meters makes it bulky), which thanks to 600 Newton meters easily pulls 3.5 tons behind and still around 1 ton On top. To do this, the long suspension tract of all kinds swallow so effortlessly that you can shed light on tempo waves (which would be bad in the 30 zone).

Touareg is gentleman

Admittedly, the Touareg does not come to the coolness factor of the 241 hp Amarok, although the aging model (in the seventh year on the market) has been given a few gimmicks since the last refreshment that definitely attract attention on the street: the red illuminated Brand logo on the rear lid together with the illuminated volume is part of it. For this purpose, the conservative-resistant off-road vehicle is an ultra-fier Gentleman that it could be considered as an alternative for particularly cultivated trips.

What the current Touareg can do with regard to quiet and creamy locomotion is definitely in the area of ​​what the unequal more noble Phaeton once brought about. In the 4.90-meter SUV you don't just sit comfortably in your armchairs; There is also calm even at AutobahnTempos beyond the speed speed. And the hybrid has been achieved in the R version (462 hp system performance and 700 Newton meters of torque) quite afraid. It only needs 5.1 seconds up to 100 km/h – top speed 250 km/h. In contrast, the Amarok is a hiking dune with 8.8 seconds and 190 things. The terrain does not feel sporty, but at most gently. Label fraud? After all, “Touareg R” sounds rough. None.

Crazy way, neither rear axle steering nor wanning compensation can be selected in the configurator for the “R”, but the adaptive air suspension is standard. On the other hand, the 2.5-tonnder does not encourage him to throw it around the corners particularly base. He drives in every way, but above all this adjective can be applied to the drive train. After all, the 340 hp three-liter six-cylinder petrol and a 136 hp electric motor must be brought together via an eight-speed automatic. There is already plenty of potential for tensile force interruptions. But does not happen, the giant acts confidently. And that with Sonorer to korse soundscape if the complete speed tape is used.

At this point, of course, there is also talk about the electrical part. Or maybe not? Because it is a half-hearted plug-in hybrid for today's conditions, the approximately 18 kWh of gross battery capacity is used up in no time. Finally, the power hikes through the complete strand including a distribution gear. The powerful Touareg comes to 135 things, but in practice it rides barely 50 kilometers. There is more today. The fact that no DC quick load function was implemented in the older electrical package can be overturned.

Huge screen in the Touareg impressed

In the end, the Touareg is a fairly spacious tourer. But that's not the only reason why it is fun to crouch on the left in the front row. The oversized displayed display in the center console (like a long time at BMW) merges with the instrument cluster – we are talking about a single monitor complex. Incidentally, the same operating system runs here as now on ID, Tiguan and Co. – just that the menus are much more expansive due to the screen size. And that makes the already intuitive user structure even more pleasant in the handle.

A few scattered physical keys complement the command center. The rotary controls are funny – not only responsible for driving mode, but also to adjust the vehicle level. Nice to play at the traffic light (you can lift the Touareg in this way and lower it again). Incidentally, almost 1,700 liters of luggage compartment and 3.5 tons of trailer load also reaffirm the utility value factor of a Touareg.

With Amarok V6 TDI and Touareg R (V6 TSI), the Volkswagen portfolio offers two emotional top models – in a completely different positioning. For the 5.35 meter long pick-up you have to be a fan that the stubborn half-person car (the other half is a van) when the steering impact tenses and thus means to be in unpaved terrain. Nevertheless, the top model has permanent all -wheel drive.

The smooth Touareg, on the other hand, gives the inconspicuous candidate, whom everyone can play easily without loss in handling. Both are incredible workload if it has to be. Finally, the most unpleasant chapter dealt with, the pricing policy. At least 50,444 euros are due for a basic amarok, while the candidate, which is starting here as V6 TDI Aventura, costs 74,799 euros. Touareg customers can only smile tired about this: as “R” they have to transfer a huge 100,280 euros to the dealer. It is cheaper, because the series starts from 73,765 euros. So Volkswagen can not only folk, but also veritable luxury.