“Supporting the arts has always been an important part of Volkswagen,” says Mya Walters, Lifestyle Public Relations Manager at Volkswagen of America. “Our relationship with the Sundance Film Festival is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and support independent film.”

Throughout the ten day festival, Sundance filmmakers, actors, talent and VIPs will enjoy chauffeured transportation around town. Volkswagen will have over sixty vehicles present from its product line, ranging from the Touareg 2, a stand out off-road vehicle perfectly suited for the snowy Park City terrain, to the popular Passat. Additionally, On Sunday, January 20th, Volkswagen owners will be treated to a special Private Owner film screening of Udayan Prasad’s “The Yellow Handkerchief.”

The Sundance Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. It is the largest independent cinema festival in The United States, with screenings, panels, workshops, and events held in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, bringing over 40,000 people together from around the globe for ten days of film and culture.

With 350 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, who could say no to a grocery getter, ahem, I mean recreational off-road vehicle, with these types of specs? Add 4MOTION all-wheel drive, überhuge wheels, some minor body styling tweaks and you have yourself a suburban winner.

* From Volkswagen’s press release:

In another world premiere for the Australian International Motor Show, Volkswagen has announced it will unveil its new Touareg R50 in Sydney next week (11 October). Developed by a team of specialists at Volkswagen Individual GmbH, the Touareg R50 is one of the most powerful SUVs in the world. While Volkswagen has yet to announce detailed specifications, it promises the R50 boasts “generous” increases on the 230kW of power and 750Nm of torque produced by the current V10 TDi model on which it is based. Bigger wheels and tyres and tweaked suspension complete the high-performance package. Volkswagen Individual GmbH has also designed new exterior and interior features to reflect the R philosophy.

The R50 is the third model to appear under Volkswagen’s sporty R label, following in the footsteps of the Golf R32 and the new Passat R36 – which was launched last month at the Frankfurt motor show. All three models have 4MOTION all-wheel drive to guarantee optimal traction.

I was expecting to jump into some action, busting up cars and flying down the road in my pixelicious ride. But this thing is more like constructing a game rather than playing it. You have to setup cars, obstacles, cameras, timing, etc. etc. THEN, you can run a simulation and watch the mayhem unfold before your eyes.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s very well done. Maybe if I have more time later on I can build out a simulation and see how it goes. You might have better luck (or more time) so give it a shot. They do have some other cool features like a Stunt Gallery, Competition, Demos and more info on the movie. Just head on over to www.bournestuntsimulator.com.

Exterior

• Volkswagen’s signature Waterfill grill to match the rest of the model lineup: chrome for the V6 FSI and matte chrome for the V8 FSI and V10 TDI
• Redesign and restructure of the headlights: slightly wider with a subtle curve outward on the bottom
• Turn signals have been repositioned lower on the front bumper, and their shape has been sharpened up
• Side mirrors have slimmer, elegant lines
• Roof spoiler is more pronounced
• Taillights now sport LED lighting and a smoked, or darkened, color
• Exhaust pipes are much larger with an oval shape and chromed
• New colors available: Alaska Gray, Cranberry, Galapagos and White Gold

Interior

• New instrument cluster with larger full-color display screen
• Redesigned luxury seating with 12-way power adjustments
• Keyless start/stop button

Performance Enhancements

• 3.6L VR6 FSI 280HP
• 4.2L V8 FSI 350HP
• 5.0L V10 TDI twin turbo 310HP/553ft-lb
• Hydraulic brake Assistant has been added to the ESP (Electronic Stabilization Program) which prevents brake pressure build-up when the gas pedal is released suddenly
• Active Rollover Protection (ARP) improves rollover stability
• ESP Dry Braking improves braking ability in wet conditions by repeatedly engaging/disengaging the brakes slightly during braking

New Packages

The Touareg 2 comes with three new packages: Lux, Lux Plus and Technologie.

Lux Package

• Cricket Leather
• Walnut Wood trim
• Upgraded center console/armrest
• 12-way power passenger seats
• Bi-Xenon headlights with AFS

Lux Plus Package (requires Lux Package on VR6 FSI)

• Includes Lux Package
• Keyless access with start/stop button
• Dynaudio sound system
• Four-zone Climatronic
• Heatable rear seats

Technologie Package

• DVD navigation
• Upgraded sound system
• Rear-view camera
• Six-disc trunk-mounted CD changer
• Aux audio input

Stand-Alone Options

• Trailer hitch
• Rear differential lock
• 19” alloy wheels (V6 only)
• Four-corner air suspension with CDC (requires Lux package)

Warranty

All new Volkswagen automobiles come with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for four years/50,000 miles and new vehicle warranties:

• Five-year/60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty
• Four-year/50,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty with wear and tear items and adjustments excluded after the initial 12 months/12,000 miles
• 12 year unlimited distance Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation.

Pricing

• $39,320 for the V6 FSI
• $48,320 for the V8 FS
• $68,320 for the V10 TD

Photos

Aparently they’ll give ANYONE a licence in Florida (sorry, it’s a terrible pun but I couldn’t resist):

The ride and the park were an absolute blast. Great times. Soon I’ll have pics of the VW used to sponsor The Hulk ride in Islands of Adventure…

RABBIT

• New 170 hp/177 lb.ft torque 2.5L 5cyl engine standard on 2 & 4dr
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) now standard
• New trim level naming. Rabbit S 2dr and Rabbit S 4dr

GTI

• 15mm ride height reduction on all 2 & 4dr
• Sirius® Satellite radio now standard
• Reflex Silver is now special order only
• Climatronic deleted from all trims
• New trim level naming, GTI and GTI Autobahn

NEW BEETLE/NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE

• New trim level naming, S and SE
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) now standard
• Temporary use spare tire
• Fog lights deleted from all trims
• New 16” alloy wheel S
• New 17” alloy wheel on SE
• Delete Shadow Blue on sedan and convertible
• Delete Platinum Gray on convertible
• Delete reflex silver on convertible
• Laser blue no longer available with gray interior
• Black not available with crème top
• Delete front floor mats
• Delete Leather seating surfaces from all trims
• Delete rain sensing wipers on all trims
• Leatherette now named V-Tex
• Cold weather package available on S as stand alone option

GLI

• Reflex Silver is now special order only
• Climatronic deleted from all trims
• New trim level naming, GLI and GLI Autobahn

JETTA

• New 170 hp/177 lb.ft torque 2.5L 5cyl engine standard
• Delete 2.0T engine (only available on GLI)
• Automatic only available with SEL
• Temporary use spare tire
• Laser Blue replaces Shadow Blue
• Delete Wheat Beige
• Front and rear lower valance in black textured color on S and SE
• Body color front and rear valance on SEL
• 2.5 badge included on S
• 16” steel wheels with full covers standard on S
• Delete Climatronic from all trims
• Delete leather seating surfaces from all trims
• Power recline standard on all trim levels
• 17” wheel standard on SEL
• Delete Homelink from all trims
• Cold weather package now optional on S
• 16” alloy wheel now optional on S
• Sunroof now optional on S
• Premium sound package (includes amplifier and 250W) now optional on SE
• New trim level naming, S, SE, and SEL
• Leatherette now named V-Tex

PASSAT Sedan and Wagon

• New trim level naming, Turbo, Komfort, Lux, and VR6
• Leatherette now named V-Tex
• Temporary use spare tire
• Chrome window trim now standard on Turbo
• New 16” alloy wheel on Turbo
• New 17” alloy wheel on Komfort
• Delete Shadow Blue
• Delete Wheat Beige on wagon
• Heated washer nozzles only available on VR6
• Bi-Xenon headlamps w/ AFS now standard on VR6
• Manual side and rear sunshade now standard on sedans
• Manual side sunshades now standard on wagon
• Power 12-way driver seat now standard equipment
• Heated front seats optional on Turbo and Komfort
• Leather steering wheel now standard equipment
• Leather shift knob now standard equipment
• Delete Pure Beige leather comfort seats
• Delete gray leather and V-Tex
• New interior trim on Turbo
• 3 spoke leather multi-function steering wheel included with Lux
• Dynaudio now optional on Lux
• Adaptive Cruise Control optional on VR6
• 4Motion is only configuration available with VR6 wagon
• Manual transmission only available on Turbo

EOS

• New trim level naming, Turbo, Komfort, Lux, and VR6
• Leatherette now named V-Tex
• Lux only available with automatic transmission
• Winter starting assist mode standard on VR6
• New 17” alloy wheel on Lux
• New 18” alloy wheel on VR6
• Delete Wheat Beige
• Rear Park Distance Control included in Lux and VR6
• Chrome front grille louvers included on VR6
• Power 12-way driver seat now standard equipment
• Leather steering wheel now standard equipment
• Leather shift knob now standard equipment
• Leather parking brake handle now standard equipment
• Windblocker now standard equipment
• Ambient lighting deleted on Turbo
• Micritech interior trim now included in Turbo
• Center sliding armrest now standard equipment
• Heated front seats now optional on Turbo
• 17” alloy wheel optional on Komfort

Touareg

• New exterior colors (White Gold, Galapagos, Alaska Gray, Cranberry)
• Chrome grille with logo and chrome eyebrows standard on VR6 FSI
• Chrome matte grille with logo and chrome eyebrows, chrome air intakes, chrome grille slats standard on V8 FSI and V10 TDI Twin Turbo
• Darkened Taillights
• New, central headlights design
• Sporty, more aerodynamic rear spoiler
• Electronic Parking Assistance now standard equipment
• Power Liftgate now standard equipment
• 19″ Wheels with all-season tires optional on VR6 FSI but included in V8 FSI and V10 TDI Twin Turbo
• Larger screen for Multi-function Indicator included with optional Technologie Package
• New Option Packages
• Dynaudio now available in package for all trims
• Sirius® Satellite Radio now standard equipment
• Next generation TPMS – now standard equipment
• ABSPlus standard
• ESP Innovations standard
• New front seat design, more comfortable front seat side bolsters, new seat stitching design now standard equipment
• Gray seat trim in leather and leatherette deleted
• Silver Metallic Plastic interior trim standard on VR6 FSI with leatherette
• Servotronic steering no longer available on 3.6L VR6 FSI
• Comfort Suspension replaces Sport Suspension on VR6 FSI

I got 0% on my Golf, and have to say that I’ll honestly go no other way in purchasing a vehicle. If you’re noodling a new ‘dub, now may be the time.

Pretty clever. I wonder what’s up with the wheel mount on the back? Mayhaps a special edition?

Uwe Krieghoff, the driver, had this to say after the tow:

After the attempt Uwe commented: ‘I was a bit disappointed we couldn’t find something heavier to tow as it was a bit too easy! If anyone could lend us a heavier aircraft then please let us know.’

Wow. I gotta get me one of those.

So what’s the skinny? The Jetta is the least reliable small car, the Passat is the least reliable family car and the Touareg is the least reliable Midsized SUV. Ouch.

What’s it all add up to? One crappy kick to the gut for VW quality. Their standards have been under fire for quite some time now, and they’ve claimed to have made significant improvements in the Mk V platform, but it seems to have done them no good. So is VW still that bad, or is everyone else that good?

At any rate, the quality issue will continue to rear it’s ugly head and threaten to undercut VW’s recent growth if they don’t address these issues – fast. And frankly, I’m getting really tired of doing these write ups.

Being one of VW’s award winning diesels, it consumes 30% less fuel than traditional gasolines and meets the stricter, ultra-low sulfur emissions standards that the U.S. just released.

So, starting at $67,750, who’s gonna throw down for one of these babies? In that price range there’s a lot of competition. But you can be the judge of whether it’s better or not.

Read more at VW’s press release.

The interior is nice with typical Touareg appointments, but this beast has rich brown leather seating and accents. I’d hit it.

Autoscoops has more photos, so head on over there and check ‘em out.

“Then again, my Mom’s taxi never had 553 lbs-ft. of torque underfoot. Twist the switchblade key and the 5.0-liter twin turbo’s muffled chattering evokes unpleasant memories of school bus rides gone by. Yes, well, the Touareg TDI’s three-point automatic safety belts and active head restraints are all that’s between you and whiplash when you punch the accelerator. The twin-turbo diesel V10 moves 5825 pounds of fully galvanized steel and aluminum body, 4-wheel drivetrain with locking differentials, Vienna leather hides and Vavana wood trim to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds— and would still do so if you tied it to a tree. The TDI would be even faster if the transmission let the engine wind out properly…”

Mmmmm. It’s a well written review, and it raised many of the same observations and questions I’ve had about the model. I mean really, what is the target market for this beast? At 70k (fully equipped) most are going to look to more prolific models. And nobody will take this thing off-road. I mean nobody. It is an awesome vehicle, but still a little awkwardly positioned if you ask me(and if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you would).

And the results are quite mixed. Here are some quotes from the crew:

In stop-and-go driving, the combo of an abrupt throttle and transmission that often seems uncertain what gear to select make for hiccup-filled progress. You have to work hard to impress passengers with your professional smoothness.
- Arthur St. Antoine

I can believe that. I’ve noticed transmission “uncertainty” in both my Golf as well as my girlfriend’s Jetta.

The level of luxury from material colors and textures to the wood and metal accents to the excellent stereo system are a pleasant surprise. On the other hand, the navigation system is a letdown; how about some street names?
- Allyson Harwood

Are you kidding? No street names on the navigation system? It sounds like VW might have taken the occasional minimalistic mindset a bit too far in this case. Then again, I guess you really don’t need street names…if you don’t leave your neighborhood.

She’s a peach on the highway at about 90 mph. The V-8 makes a well-toned, distinctive German growl when at wide-open throttle, and the throttle blips when in Sport Mode–all smile inducing.
- Brian Vance

That’s a reoccurring comment. Everyone seems to dig the way it handles on the highway at high speeds. But some disagree on how it handles off the road. All in all it seems that everyone digs the aesthetic appeal of the Touareg, but the function, design and reliability of various elements come under fire constantly. They even make mention of rubber moldings loosing their shine and being replaced under warranty. Though the notes where encouraging after reading what Forbes had to say. Hopefully VW fulfills their newfound commitment to quality and they continue to improve the Touareg. We’ll just have to see.

“We have instituted a number of programs and initiatives with our customer satisfaction teams, dealers, engineers and factory representatives to improve overall quality of the Touareg and the ownership experience,” a VW spokesman said. He noted that the efforts are starting to pay off, with higher reliability scores compared with last year.

Sounds abit fluffy to me. I give ‘em props though. Lesser companies might try dispute the list, and defend their stance. VW has at least taken the high road and acknowledged that they have issues to resolve. But this damages their place in the high-end market, where they’ve sunk considerable interest and resources. They have a ways to go before they’re thought of as a maker that offers true “luxury”.

Other technology of note is a parking assist system fitted to a Touran MPV (model available in Europe only). Using ultrasonic sensors, the system scans an available parking space for dimensions and obstacles, then proceeds to steer itself into the spot.

I guess none of us will actually drive our cars in the future. ;)

“The Touaregs, which were basically showroom stock vehicles, were faster than many of the purpose built race cars. For a vehicle with minimal modifications to cover all 12.4 miles, 156 turns at altitudes up to 14,000 feet in just over 14 minutes is remarkable,” said Miller. “The power of the twin-turbo V10 TDI diesel engine was really phenomenal.”
- From Volkswagen Press Release

Heh, I wonder if that engine will still be 50 state compliant when the U.S.’s new emissions standards are released. (Read up on that in our previous article) I’d love one. 310hp at 3,750rpm and 553lbs-ft of torque at 2,000rpm. Me likey. But the price tag for one of these beasties is base $67,750. Yikes!

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