“Now fitted with a
  potent 3.0-litre TDI
  engine, Volkswagen’s
  second-generation
  Touareg comes with
  genuine off-road
  capability. But don’t
  let its 4x4 abilities fool
  you — at heart it is an
  all-wheel drive luxury
  vehicle for five...”

IF YOU READ THE DAILY PAPERS — unless, of course, you currently own one — you could be forgiven for thinking that Sports Utility Vehicles have suffered the same fate as Tyrannosaurus Rex, who also became extinct due to environmental problems.

Interestingly, despite undoubtedly worthwhile hybrid technology being the flavour of the month, it is diesel engines that have made the greatest strides forward in the search to provide real-world economy for cars. In our search to clean up the planet, we should be looking at all the options and not getting tunnel vision about just one.

Seems like an appropriate time to road test VW's 3.0-litre V6 TDI, installed in the second-generation Touareg SUV. This turbocharged unit serves up a punchy 222bhp along with an exceedingly muscular 369lb ft of torque at 1,750rpm. More than capable, in spite of the Touareg weighing over two tonnes, of accelerating VW's SUV to the benchmark 62mph in less than ten seconds and on to a maximum speed of 125mph.

The Touareg is currently available with a choice of four engines: 172 bhp 2.5-litre five-cylinder TDI; the 3.0-litre V6 TDI reviewed here; a petrol 3.6-litre V6 with 276bhp and a 5.0-litre V10 TDI with 309bhp. All, apart from the 2.5, come with VW's excellent six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. A six-speed manual 'box is standard on the 2.5 although the Tiptronic is also offered.

'Torq-ative' drivers will be more interested in lb ft than outright bhp figures, particularly when it comes to choosing between the 3.6 V6 petrol and the 3.0 V6 TDI. The 3.6 petrol has more bhp (276 vs 222) but the diesel can deliver 369lb ft at 1,750rpm. The V6 petrol manages 'only' 265lb ft at 2,500-5,000rpm.

When it comes to fuel economy, the diesel again takes the lead, re-turning 26.9mpg on the combined cycle (3.6 petrol: 20.8mpg) and 33.6mpg for the extra-urban cycle compared to the 3.6 petrol's 27.2 mpg. Okay, so the 3.6 petrol will hit a top speed that's 10mph higher
— at 135mph — but the TDI's 125mph is far enough over the legal limit to be sufficient for most drivers' needs. Admittedly, the 3.6 petrol
gets to 62mph half a second quicker: 8.6 vs 9.2 seconds. While one wouldn't expect a 4WD vehicle of this size to be frugal, what these figures aptly demonstrate is just how far diesel engines have come in just a short few years. And by the way, the TDI diesel's CO2 emissions are also cleaner: 278g/km versus 324g/km!

Most drivers appreciate that standing starts are, to a certain degree, just so much window-dressing. In the real world, in-gear acceleration times are infinitely more relevant. As you now know, the Touareg's off the line time to 62mph is 9.2 seconds. On the road, that feels more than brisk. However, with all that torque on tap and applied to the tar-mac through all four driven wheels, getting from 30mph to motorway speeds is as effortless as it is impressive.

Harnessing this performance couldn't be easier, thanks to VW's super-smooth six-speed Tiptronic transmission. Seamless has become a somewhat over-used word — particularly for us. But seamless it is. With 369lb ft of torque controlled by your right foot, city and motor-way driving are equally smooth and will suit any driving style. Be assured, refinement has not been traded off against performance —
at lower engine speeds, the 3.0 V6 TDI unit is muted, with barely more than a pleasing hum penetrating the cabin. And even when charging
up through the gears, it still sounds agreeable — a subdued but meaty growl, that is somehow far more reassuring than silence itself.

What is particularly satisfying is the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts for manually over-riding the default, full auto Drive mode when-ever you deem it necessary. Far more sensible, far more controllable and far more rewarding than relying on 'kickdown' — as one had to in the bad old days, before the advent of paddle-shifts and sequential manual shifting modes on auto 'boxes. Even sharper, performance-orientated responses are available if you snick the T-bar selector lever back from 'D' into Sport. Press down firmly on the accelerator in Sport mode and you'll be pleasantly surprised at the surging mid-range over-taking acceleration that comes from a powerful diesel's inbuilt reserves of torque. Deisel fans have come to expect this.

With a selection of gear-shifting options to suit every on-road sit-uation, you'd want the Touareg to provide handling to match. Handling and body control are definitely up to scratch and the Touareg turns in a composed and pretty sharp driving experience. For the record, what it isn't, of course, is a Golf GTI. No apologies for making this reserv-ation, but a surprising number of people still appear to expect all cars to be all things to everybody. Experience brings another infallible rule
of thumb: Horses for Courses.

The high-riding Touareg's wide stance — not forgetting its permanent all-wheel drive — contributes to good stability in all circumstances. From behind the leather-trimmed wheel, the Touareg feels absolutely car-like; the view out over the bonnet as conventional as that of any saloon. One thing is certain: wherever you are, and at whatever speed you're travelling, you feel secure in this vehicle.

Surprisingly — for a two-tonne, full five-seater — it never feels any-where near as big or as cumbersome as you'd expect from reading its 'on paper' dimensions. It is, in fact, very easy to drive — thanks to light controls, an excellent driving position and adequate steering feedback. No surprise, then, why people like being in and driving SUVs like these.

If you think all this talk of 'grunt' means you'll be belting about all over the place, well, that's not quite true. Because while the Touareg can Tango, its heartland persona is refinement. Climb aboard and settle
into the comfortable seats and you'll be perfectly content just to waft along. The spacious and uncluttered cabin is both well designed and well kitted out to encourage this enjoyable state of affairs: great seats (with first class five-stage heating), wood, chrome and burnished alloy trim, well laid-out dials and switches, attractive and crystal clear instrumentation and quality materials used throughout (and outstanding fit and finish, too). All of which subtly make the point that the Touareg is as much a luxury saloon as a genuine 4x4.

Neat touches abound: the headrests, for example, have foolproof buttons built into their sides to instantly lower them — in most cars you have to wrestle them down, often breaking a nail in the process. And the gear/diff lock rotary switch that pushes down out of the way when not in use. Not just one, but all the cubbies/storage areas are lined or have easy-clean contoured rubber inserts to prevent rattles. And every electric window has an auto one-shot up/down function.
In addition there's a two-tier front centre armrest with a pop-up bottle holder and an air-conditioned glovebox. MP3/iPod connection? Naturally. At night, the bi-Xenon headlights are superb, with a very long throw on dip, improved by the optional Dynamic Curve Lighting which works a treat. We could go on, but better still — pop round to your nearest VW dealer and take a test drive!

For the record, the Touareg's permanent four-wheel drive, low-ratio gearbox, locking centre differential and traction control enable it to cope with some pretty harsh off-roading — should you feel so inclined. In fact, with a climbing ability of 45 degrees, the Touareg laughs in
the face of mountains!

It will ford 500mm of water (580mm if fitted with the optional air sus-pension) without getting your feet wet; and its new ABSplus braking system has been specifically designed to perform optimally off-road, using the Touareg's standard-fit Electronic Stabilisation Programme to shorten the braking distances on loose ground (such as sand, gravel
or grass) by up to 20 per cent.

It also features a new 'dry braking' function that ensures the brake pads regularly touch the brake discs to free them of water — sig-nificantly shortening braking distances and improving safety in wet weather both on and off the tarmac. Talking of brakes, the Touareg's are excellent: vented discs front and rear ensure strong retardation, and there's progressive bite from the very first press on the large pedal. Particularly useful, given the TDI's deep reserves of torque, is the considerable engine braking available virtually instantaneously
via the manual override steering wheel paddle-shifts.

All-in-all, there aren't many places that are off limits to a Touareg. Check out www.touareg-unlimited.co.uk and you'll find that the possibilities are endless. At the website you'll have access to some fantastic tailor-made holiday opportunities such as a luxury weekend
at Calcot Manor, deep in the beautiful Cotswold's countryside and close to some of the most challenging off-road terrain in Britain. Or, if you're game for something more challenging, how about a four-day break driving on frozen lakes and ice-packed roads? You supply the nerves of steel; touareg-unlimited will do the rest!

Standard equipment is generous and as good as you'd find in, say, a BMW X5. Our SE spec test vehicle came with everything from 2Zone climate control AirCon and a SatNav/Audio system with 6.5-inch colour screen, 6-CD autochanger and multimedia socket to leather upholstery and heated front seats. In addition there's a full set of electric win-dows (all one-shot auto up/down), electrically-adjustable heated door mirrors with power fold, a 'cooled' glovebox, speed-related automatic door locking, 7-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 255/55 Bridge-stone rubber, a multifunction computer with its own 5-inch colour screen, multifunction leather-trimmed steering wheel with controls for the on-board computer, cruise control and hi-fi, a storage box and torch in the centre console, heat insulating tinted glass, sunglasses holder in the roof lining — the list goes on.

Safety can be taken for granted. There are two front airbags, two front side airbags and curtain airbags, plus permanent four-wheel drive along with a host of electronic driver aids such as the enhanced ABS, brake assist and ESP, an Active Rollover Protection system, hill start and descent assist and an optional trailer stabilisation system — the Touareg will tow a braked trailer of up to 3,500kg. However, if you ever need to tow a 155-tonne Boeing 747 then you'll be needing the V10 TDI. Yes, really. And we have the pic to prove it.

The interior is not only comfortable but it's practical too, with plenty
of storage areas throughout the cabin. Load space is also pretty liberal: 555 litres with the 60:40 split rear seats in use; 1,570 with them folded. A two-piece tailgate with separately opening rear screen is also standard, and adds extra functionality and convenience. So what, we hear you saying, about the current 'flavour of the month': third-row sixth and seventh seats? Not a problem — for those with such a need there's always 'cousin' Audi's seven-seater: the Q7.

Having spent a seriously busy week living with the stress-busting TDI Touareg, I have absolutely no reservations in recommending it to anyone looking for one of these vehicles. Or even crossing over from a high-end executive estate or saloon. It looks good, rides well and has ample performance for most needs. Yet it still manages to make a gallon of diesel stretch impressively. More noteworthy is its ability to efficiently transport five adults and their luggage in genuine comfort and refinement. On the motorway it is fast, quiet and stable. On the motorways and everywhere else, the Touareg V6 TDI is a practical, capable and luxurious all-rounder.

Volkswagen Touareg SE 3.0 TDI Tiptronic | £35,707 Maximum speed: 125mph | 0-62mph: 9.2 seconds Overall test MPG: 22.9mpg | Power: 222bhp | Torque: 369lb ft CO2 278g/km | VED Band G £300 | Insurance group 16 Visit Volkswagen's website