The good : A supercharged engine and hybrid system create a 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid from the ranks of the most powerful Touareg models, without sacrificing fuel economy. Voice command system that lets you ask for music by album and artist name, or dial a number with a contact name.The bad : Power is difficult to modulate at slow speeds. A permanent suspension limits exploitation of off-road.Bottom line : The 2011 Volkswagen Touareg serves as a showcase for advanced-technology power train and cab, and the most luxurious of the Volkswagen model range.Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid show with jaw-dropping technology under the hood, and an impressive suite of cabin tech, too. Full model name, 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid Supercharged, including some terms that are not normally found together. Yes, this Touareg is not only get the gasoline-electric hybrid drive, but also a supercharger on the engine.Throwing every power-train technology in Volkswagen disposal into these results in the Touareg's most powerful car in the ranks of the company, although not always the most fuel efficient. Current Touareg models, including hybrid supercharged, 3-liter TDI V-6, and the gasoline 3.6-liter V-6. These hybrids have EPA ratings of 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, and the brackets TDI figures with 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The Touareg regular gas only appears short with 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.But that does not seem as if Volkswagen engineers have been the main fuel economy in their mind when they designed the Hybrid Touareg, as this vehicle offers a total system output is amazing 380 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque. Even the Touareg TDI could not match the number of torque.With the transmission in Sport mode and the foot leads to the gas pedal, every bit of power that is felt as the Touareg rocket forward. Touareg Hybrid engine in essentially the same as used on the Audi S4, direct-injection supercharged 3-liter V-6, which by itself produces 333 horsepower. Hybrid system including 34-kilowatt electric motor integrated between the engine and transmission, and nickel metal hydride pack 1.7-kilowatt-hour battery is located near the rear wheel.

Battery-electric train is about technology only in Hybrid Touareg lagging slightly behind the competition, as the newest hybrid will come out with a lithium ion battery packs.Uneven accelerationAlthough the acceleration of liver Sport car, put the transmission in Drive mode normally results in a very different driving experience. Gas pedal feel Detuned, and acceleration is more difficult to modulate. Just let off the brake allows Touareg creep forward under electric power. Moderate pressure on the gas pedal tends to make a lunge Touareg, and it became difficult to control at low speeds or in stop-and-go traffic.Along with letting the engine off at traffic stops and while sliding at speeds up to 99 mph, the hybrid system also can push the car uses only electricity. But the Touareg Hybrid heavy, making it very difficult to feather the pedal lightly enough to actually make the car forward without the engine running.To prove this could be a short-range electric vehicle, Volkwagen put the E-mode button on the console. Pressed, and the Touareg Hybrid refrain from burning any gas, at least until about 32 mph, or until the battery becomes very low that the machine should take over.

The console also has a dial with settings on-and off-road. Hybrid Touareg comes standard with four-wheel drive, fully automatic system which defaults to split 40 percent front-60 percent rear torque. But the switch to off-road mode just adjusts the traction control and drivetrain program; conventional suspension Touareg Hybrid It sits at an elevation fixed.Going through a rough country road, the car felt very able, to absorb large bumps with ease without too much rocking cabin. Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid said to have ground clearance of 7.9 inches and can ford water to a depth of 19.7 inches. Driving through some streets flood created by Hurricane California recently, Hybrid Touareg plowed through, sending water spraying into the side.Power steering mechanism steering wheel elektrohidrolik keep moving even when the engine is turned off. Although four-wheel-drive system helps in cornering, Hybrid SUV Touareg showing typical handling. It understeers in turn, and a great body, raised the suspension, leading to body roll is partially neutralized with antisway equipment.

Sport mode with eight-speed automatic transmission helps keep the power, and there is also a manual shift mode. In accordance with character vehicles, Sport mode is not all that aggressive, and manual gear changes are usually slow for the automatic. They are eight teeth really come into play cruise at 65 or 70 mph, when the machine, when in fact on, to keep the speed around 2,000 rpm, helping to save gas.Volkswagen's new lookAlthough the new Touareg Hybrid weighs in at more than 5,000 pounds, Volkswagen took several steps to lighten the load, such as using aluminum few in suspension. The overall appearance of crossover SUVs vehicles less and more modern. Strong lateral line lattice, which blends into the light hole, is part of Volkswagen's new design language. Also part of this language is to cleanse the body line. Rather than tangle, Hybrid Touareg features a line of impressions, just a pinch of fine at the side.

But Hybrid Touareg remains a practical, offers seating for five and a large cargo area. And in SUV style, it sits high, affording occupants a good view of the road. A rearview camera, complete with distance and trajectory line, assist in parking, but Volkswagen also have to offer blind-spot detection system.In any trim, the Touareg is one of the most luxurious Volkswagen, which also explains its price. And hybrid versions come standard with just about anything. The cabin is neat with soft-touch materials and leather. The various switches have a solid feel, something more than thin plastic. Hybrid Touareg seems to borrow a little luxury from sister brand Audi.Hybrid Touareg also comes standard with a suite of new technologies Volkswagen cabin. Last year, Volkswagen launched the new Jetta with a new decent navigation system, but the Touareg Hybrid get the deluxe version, with a map of your hard-drive-stored shows 3D building has been completed and traffic information is integrated.

A set of buttons below the touch screen provide quick access to navigation, Bluetooth phone system, and stereo. A button in the middle allows you to zoom the map or choose from the list, but the touch screen menu is the main interface. The touch screen is responsive to the input proved satisfactory.Drivers can use a voice command system to enter a destination, although unlike with some of the new system, you must enter every part of the address of the individual, not speaking the entire address string and let the car parse elements. An on-screen keyboard also works well for entering parts of the address, especially if you have the name of the street system can not recognize.Car phone system offering a solid set of features, the most important to make available a list of phone contacts via voice commands. The interface to the system look good, and in accordance with the overall design.stereo really stand out in this system, offers more than most audio sources. There are about 18GB of music storage on the hard drive a car, and Volkswagen ownership of media interface port in the glove box. Hybrid Touareg comes with a bag full of cables that plug into this port, offers the iPhone, Mini-USB, USB standard, and 1/8-inch audio connectivity.There's also Bluetooth audio streaming, satellite radio and CD player with two SD card slot on his face. About the only audio source Touareg Hybrid missing is HD radio.

Inconveniently, media interface ports sit behind the glove box, making it virtually impossible to access from the driver's seat. Likewise, a CD player hidden in the upper glove box, pull tab so slowly drop down like James Bond accessories. Volkswagen Looks like you want to load the disc or MP3 player while the car is stopped.The interface screen is equally good for all sources, but the thing that is really cool is that the sound system plays music Volkswagen command when you request a particular artist or album name. And better than other systems, which require you to determine whether it is an artist or album name that you ask for, you just need to say the name of the album or artist, without any introduction, to have a system that figure. However, do not let you request an individual song tracks, playlist, or genre.Volkswagen offers an optional premium speaker Dynaudio system in another Touareg trims, but the Hybrid Touareg left in this case. However, eight-speaker sound system is excellent, with finely detailed reproduction. This system is a bit short on bass and do not have a specific fortune, but wonders with acoustic tracks and vocals. Intense treble can get shrill, but overall a very pleasant-sounding system.SummarilyWith a supercharged direct injection engine and hybrid system, power train 2011 Volkswagen Touareg seriously advanced, giving the liver of vehicle power and good fuel economy for its size. The only drawback of this system is not uniform acceleration at low speeds. The transmission speed of eight other components impressive performance technologies, such as power steering elektrohidrolik. good suspension, if it does not have any elements of high technology, and Hybrid Touareg get extra credit for four-wheel drive systems.Hybrid Touareg cabin is also notable for the technology suite, a long-awaited increase of the Volkswagen. 3D map navigation system shows fertile, and the audio system offers all the resources that you can ask. Bluetooth audio system full of features, and voice command system comes with a few, unexpected pleasant surprises. Hybrid Touareg can take advantage of the blind-spot detection system and rear seat entertainment option.The cabin interface technology, Volkswagen hits out of the park for both usability and style. Going further, the display on the instrument cluster offers access to most major cabin tech feature through the control of the steering wheel. Of course, the Touareg has been that the Hybrid SUV practicality, with many in the room. exterior look is nice with no breakthrough.Tech specs Model 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Trim Hybrid SuperchargedPower train supercharged 3-liter direct injection V-6, 8-speed automatic transmission, nickel metal hydride 1.7kWh full hybrid systemEPA fuel economy 20 mpg city/24 mpg highwayObserved fuel economy 20.5 mpgHard-drive-based navigation with trafficStandard Bluetooth phone supportDisc single player MP3-compatible CD / DVDMP3 player supports iPod integrationOnboard and other digital audio hard drive, Bluetooth audio streaming, SD cards, USB drives, mini-USB connector, satellite radio8-speaker audio system audio systemAssist rearview camera driverBase price $ 60.565Price tested $ 61,385