VW Specialist London Blog

Production of the Touareg combustion engine model ends in 2026. To mark this occasion, Volkswagen is launching the “Touareg FINAL EDITION”. The special-edition model can be ordered until the end of March 2026 at prices starting from 75,025 euros. The luxury-class SUV has fascinated since 2002 with its confident character, excellent comfort and high-tech features. Volkswagen entered the premium segment for the first time 23 years ago with the Touareg and the Phaeton saloon.

The new special-edition model is characterised by exclusive design elements both inside and out. All equipment lines feature striking “FINAL EDITION” lettering laser-engraved on the window surrounds of the rear doors and also embossed in the leather of the gear lever. The multicolour ambient lighting comes as standard in the Elegance equipment line and above; the label also appears in the illuminated dash panel trim and on the illuminated sill panel mouldings.

Technology pioneer with a global success story spanning more than 20 years. With its first off-road vehicle, Volkswagen entered a new vehicle segment in 2002 and at the same time raised the brand to a higher level. With its dimensions, equipment and technologies, the Touareg quickly established itself in the luxury class. Despite its size, it has always exuded a timelessly understated design. Its interior has been stylish in every generation, with high quality standards and comfort as well as many new technical features. These innovations have also made it the flagship in Volkswagen’s portfolio up to the present day. Many features from the Touareg were also later available in the small car segment – luxury class technology became accessible to everyone.

While Europe, and Germany in particular, represent a significant sales market, the Touareg is now available in 39 countries. More than 1.2 million units have been sold to date – an impressive figure in the SUV C-segment.

Touareg I / 2002. Thanks to its numerous innovations, such as the electromechanical roll stabilisation or CDC air suspension with six level settings, the Touareg became one of the most highly regarded SUVs in its class immediately after its market launch in autumn 2002. With this equipment, it was possible to drive through water up to a depth of 58 centimetres or negotiate slopes with inclines of up to 45 degrees. The top-of-the-range model of the Touareg line was the Touareg V10 TDI, which was equipped with the most powerful diesel engine installed at Volkswagen at the time. The 230 kW (313 PS) 5-litre ten-cylinder engine generated a maximum torque of 750 newton metres and accelerated the 2.5-tonne Touareg to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. The top speed was 225 km/h. Thanks to this top model, the Volkswagen brand has today become one of the world’s leading full-range providers, successfully covering all important segments from small cars to high-end SUVs. The Touareg I was built from 2002 to 2009 and was one of the most successful luxury SUVs of its time with more than 471,000 units sold.

Touareg II / 2010. The second generation of the Touareg grew both in width and length, thus underlining its luxurious comfort. The vehicle front end emphasised sporty elegance with new, aerodynamic bumpers and a newly designed radiator grille. The first hybrid vehicle from Volkswagen was introduced on the market to coincide with the launch of the second generation. The Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 V6 TSI Hybrid was powered by a combination of a supercharged V6 petrol engine with 245 kW (333 PS) and a 34.3 kW (46 PS) electric motor. The electric motor of the full hybrid vehicle recuperated energy during braking and fed this into the battery. The combined system output of the hybrid was 279 kW (380 PS) with a maximum torque of 580 Nm. With this, the Touareg II accelerated to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and achieved a top speed of 240 km/h. The average consumption was 8.2 litres of premium-grade petrol per 100 kilometres. A host of new assist systems made journeys even safer and more comfortable, also in difficult terrain. Volkswagen sold more than 483,000 units of the Touareg II during its production period from 2010 to 2018.

Touareg III / 2018. The third generation of the Touareg has an even more dynamic character thanks to modern lines, generous body panelling and a new steel and aluminium body made from weight-saving materials. The attractive, vital look is reinforced by the increase in the wheelbase to 2.904 metres and a reduction in the vehicle height by seven millimetres. The completely revamped cockpit features digital innovations as well as connectivity and assist systems and guarantees comfortable and safe driving. This is also ensured by the optimised electromechanical active stabilisation system, whose assist system continuously detects roll movements up to 400 times per second to ensure optimum adjustment and a safe driving experience in every terrain. Since autumn 2020, the Touareg R Hybrid has been the flagship model in the range: a plug-in hybrid SUV with system power of 340 kW (462 PS), maximum torque of 700 Nm and a maximum speed of 250 km/h. More than 265,000 units of the Touareg III have already been sold worldwide since its debut in 2018. To this day, it offers the highest level of ride comfort and the best possible practical usability – for example, as a towing vehicle with a maximum trailer weight of up to 3.5 tonnes.

Volkswagen Race Touareg – the serial winner. The Touareg has also set standards in off-road racing. With the Race Touareg, which was specially developed and raced by Volkswagen Motorsport, Volkswagen became one of the dominant teams in the Dakar Rally. Among other things, this is shown by three overall victories in a row: 2009 with Giniel de Villiers, 2010 with Carlos Sainz and 2011 with Nasser Al-Attiyah. The greatest advantages of these motorsport prototypes were their robust design, all-wheel drive and exceptional reliability.

Touareg Stanley – winner of the Grand Challenge for autonomous vehicles. One of the first intelligent vehicles in automotive history, the Touareg Stanley, won the prestigious DARPA (Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency) Grand Challenge in California, USA in 2005. A total of 23 vehicles took part in the race for autonomous vehicles through the Nevada desert – only four reached the finish line. The Touareg Stanley completed the 212-kilometre route in six hours, 53 minutes and 58 seconds without human intervention – and was the first to reach the finish line. Stanley was a joint project between Volkswagen and other research centres. Equipped with laser detectors, stereo vision equipment, cameras, GPS and specially developed control software, Stanley navigated precisely through rough terrain. The victory marked a milestone in the development of self-driving vehicles and was the beginning of partly automated assist systems. The third generation of the Touareg production model saw the introduction of Adaptive Cruise Control ACC with predictive cruise control, which – enhanced and now named Travel Assist – is one of the best assist systems for partly automated driving available today.

The Touareg that towed a Boeing. In 2006, Volkswagen created a global stir and a world record: a near-production Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI towed a Boeing 747 weighing around 155 tonnes on an airport runway. With its powerful torque of 750 Nm and modified running gear, the Touareg moved the jumbo jet over 150 metres – and then brought it safely to a standstill. For this extraordinary experiment, the Touareg was loaded with over four tonnes of additional weight in order to optimally transfer the power to the ground. Despite the enormous load, a standard engine, gearbox and air suspension were used – impressive proof of the vehicle’s performance and robustness.

The Touareg as a long-distance specialist. In 2011, the Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI once again spectacularly proved its endurance and reliability: in just 11 days, 17 hours and 22 minutes, long-distance expert Rainer Zietlow and his team completed the legendary Panamericana – from Tierra del Fuego in Argentina all the way to Alaska. The 22,750-kilometre route traversed 17 countries and almost all the climate zones on earth – from tropical heat and sandstorms to snow and ice. With this trip, the Touareg beat the previous world record by four days and again impressively demonstrated its robustness, efficiency and comfort.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

01. Touareg R eHybrid – weighted combined energy consumption: 15.2-14.8 kWh/100 km plus 6.0-5.2 l/100 km; combined fuel consumption with discharged battery: 10.1-9.4 l/100 km; weighted combined CO₂ emissions: 136-119 g/km; weighted combined CO₂ class: E-D; CO₂ class with discharged battery: G

Volkswagen is bringing back the music and pop culture of the 1990s with its new all-electric ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE special model: With spectacular stunts and breathtaking landscape shots, Willy Bogner’s ski film “Fire and Ice” (1986) quickly achieved cult status in the 1980s. The legendary Golf 2 Fire & Ice (1990), inspired by the film, had a lasting impact on the Zeitgeist. The film and the car have retained their cult status to this day. Volkswagen is now continuing this success story in musical form: with “Fire + Ice”, internationally acclaimed DJ Purple Disco Machine reinterprets the film’s iconic theme song and, together with Jake Shears, brings a fresh sound to the nostalgic success story. The protagonists of the action-packed music video are the Golf 2 Fire & Ice and its all-electric successor, the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE.

“Volkswagen has always been an integral part of mainstream culture – and it is precisely this lifestyle that we want to bring back into the spotlight.”, says Christine Wolburg, Chief Brand Officer of Volkswagen. “Our mission as a brand is to be anchored at the heart of society, and to play an active role in shaping the pop culture of tomorrow. With the new all-electric ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE and the collaboration with BOGNER FIRE+ICE and Purple Disco Machine, we are bringing together the topics of cars, fashion and music in a unique way. In this way, we are not only creating an emotionally charged product, but also giving the entire brand a new appeal.”

The titular theme song of the cult ski film “Fire and Ice” was recorded by US singer Marietta Waters and was produced by Harold Faltermeyer. With “Fire + Ice”, Purple Disco Machine has reinterpreted the song in a way that pays homage to the original while bringing it right up to date. With Jake Shears, the DJ has enlisted one of the most glamorous falsetto voices in modern music for the production. The singer of the band Scissor Sisters is considered a queer pop icon and encapsulates the spirit of euphoria and liberation that characterizes this song.

The music video also bridges the past and the future, featuring the Golf 2 Fire & Ice and its all-electric successor, the new Volkswagen ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE special model. Inspired by the film and the legendary modern classic car, the vehicular protagonists pursue their drive for freedom and spectacular experiences. Legendary stunts from the past make an impressive comeback with the ID.3 GTX – re-imagined in a modern setting.

About the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE and its predecessor
Just one year after the world premiere of the show car, Volkswagen is presenting the limited special edition of the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE: with an extremely dynamic drive, exclusive paintwork and many design highlights. The model was developed in collaboration with the performance sportswear brand BOGNER FIRE+ICE, part of the Munich-based luxury sports fashion company BOGNER. As an homage to the year the original model was released, only 1990 units of the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE are available.

With the “Fire and Ice” special model in 1990, Volkswagen presented an exclusive version of the Golf 2 that was both sporty and comfortable. The design was created in collaboration with entrepreneur, fashion designer and film director Willy Bogner. With its extravagant appearance – a dark violet pearl-effect paint finish, alloy wheels, front spoiler and wider body – and powerful engine with up to 160 hp, the Golf Fire and Ice quickly became a sought-after rarity.

About Purple Disco Machine
Tino Piontek, who goes by the stage name Purple Disco Machine, is an internationally successful DJ and music producer from Dresden. As a big fan of the Volkswagen brand, he drives a model from the Wolfsburg-based car manufacturer himself. Musically, Purple Disco Machine is inspired by the sounds of the 1980s. His distinctive sound combines retro vibes with modern beats, creating a unique style that is visually highlighted by vintage elements.

He was awarded a Grammy for his remix of Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” in 2023. He has also received numerous gold and multi-platinum awards worldwide. With more than two billion streams and current hits such as “Substitution”, “Honey Boy” and “Beat of Your Heart”, his third studio album “Paradise” has secured his status as one of the world’s leading producer’s.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

01. ID.3 GTX Performance FIRE+ICE 240 kW - combined energy consumption 16.7-14.9 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions 0 g/km; CO₂ class A

Volkswagen, the largest supplier of electric cars in Germany and Europe in 2025, will be presenting an electric compact SUV at IAA MOBILITY in Munich (8-14 September): the ID. CROSS Concept. It is just as suitable for the city as it is for long journeys. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, Head of the Brand Group Core and member of the Group Board of Management: "From the very beginning, my goal was to shape the best version of the Volkswagen brand of all time. The near-production concept car of the future ID. CROSS demonstrates that we are now truly delivering – with a new design, many technologies only seen in higher classes previously, improved operability and quality – and, at last, again the 'right' name. With this new Volkswagen generation, we are now delivering on our promises”.

Entry-level campaign – four new electric models. Following the ID.2 all, the ID. GTI Concept (based on the ID.2 all) and the ID. EVERY1, the ID. CROSS Concept is the fourth small electric concept car. The production versions of these new Volkswagen models will be on the market from 2026. The world premiere of the new ID. Polo (production version of the ID.2 all) – is set for the first half of 2026. The ID. Polo GTI will be presented shortly afterwards. Both models will be on show at IAA MOBILITY, still slightly camouflaged. Two legendary Volkswagen designations – Polo and GTI – will thus enter the world of electric mobility. The final ID. CROSS will have its world premiere in the summer of 2026. The production version of the ID. EVERY1, which will also be in Munich, though still in concept car form, will be a highlight of 2027.

All four new ID. models are part of a cross-brand product campaign of the Brand Group Core (SEAT & CUPRA, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles), as part of which the Group brands will launch models in the entry-level segment of electric mobility. The Brand Group Core makes targeted use of synergies and economies of scale in order to be able to offer particularly attractive electric cars in Europe, both technically and in terms of price.

Pure and positive – iconic and likeable. The ID. CROSS Concept, in Urban Jungle green, reflects a new, clear and likeable design language. Volkswagen Head of Design Andreas Mindt explains: "We call our new design language 'Pure Positive'. It is based on our three design cornerstones of stability, likeability and secret sauce; it will characterise every new Volkswagen in the future. We rely on a pure and powerful clarity, along with visual stability and a positive, likeable vehicle personality. The lines and powerful surfaces on the ID. CROSS Concept are pure and clear. They shape an SUV that is a trend setter not a trend follower and one that transfers the brand’s identity into the future.” The ID. CROSS Concept’s positive personality is immediately recognisable in areas such as the front and rear. With their graphics and 3D light signature, they give the impression that the car is ‘smiling’. Andreas Mindt adds: “A Volkswagen must be likeable, unmistakable and inspire with its character. That’s why we deliberately evoke Volkswagen icons such as the Golf and the VW bus in the ID. CROSS Concept – on top, as a dash of ‘secret sauce’. This can be seen, for example, in the charismatic C-pillars and the completely straight window line. Few volume brands in the world can draw on such a strong heritage. And that will always be in in our toolkit on our journey into the future.”

Compact – fits into any parking space. The SUV concept car on show at the IAA MOBILITIY is 4,161 mm long with a 2,601 mm wheelbase. The ID. CROSS Concept is 1,839mm wide and 1,588mm tall. This means that its size is similar to that of the current T-Cross. This does not, however, apply to the wheel/tyre combination on the concept car: The designers have developed a 21-inch alloy wheel specifically for the ID. CROSS Concept called Balboa. In cooperation with Goodyear, special 235/40 R21 tyres were designed for the show car, which continue the design of the rim in the tyre sidewall.

Big space – small dimensions. An innovative package makes the interior of the five-seater ID. CROSS Concept very spacious with an above-average boot volume of 450 litres. An additional compartment (25 litres) under the bonnet provides additional space. The unusual width of the vehicle and the airy design of the interior create a greater sense of space. On the one hand, the ID. CROSS Concept is perfectly tailored for urban use due to its compact exterior dimensions. At the same time, the compact SUV is an all-rounder suitable for families and friends, which also handles longer journeys with ease.

Interior oasis with a lounge-style ambience. The interior of the ID. CROSS Concept is designed as a feel-good oasis. It impresses with its outstanding material quality and feel, including fabric-covered surfaces. Pre-configured light, sound and climate modes (Atmospheres) transform the Vanilla Chai (a warm shade of beige) interior into a lounge that offers maximum comfort.

Plant motifs on the screens and real plants in the visually floating centre console enhance the feel-good effect. A further highlight is the specially designed seats in the concept car that can be folded down completely to create a reclining area in the style of a VW Bus.

Everything in sight and under control. The innovative cockpit landscape with its well thought-out ergonomics and intuitive operation ensures focused attention while on the road. In the ID. CROSS Concept, Volkswagen has created a harmonious interaction between displays with intuitive menu structures, natural voice control and buttons for direct functions. The multifunction steering wheel with clear button control has been completely redesigned. The two central displays of the ID. CROSS Concept are arranged on a visual axis: the digital instruments (28 cm/11 inches) and the central touch display of the Infotainment system (diameter: 33 cm/13 inches).

MEB+ – the next electric evolutionary stage. Technically, the front-wheel drive ID. CROSS Concept is based on the MEB modular electric drive matrix, which will be continuously further developed in the future with improvements to the MEB+, among other things, in terms of engines, batteries and software. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Development, says: "The MEB is getting a new software generation from next year, which brings with it a noticeable functional enhancement of many systems for our customers. This further development of the Volkswagen-typical modular system brings functions to vehicles from higher vehicle segments, such as the further developed Travel Assist. The MEB+ is thus the technical key to being able to offer electric vehicles such as the production version of the ID. CROSS Concept and the new ID. Polo with above-average product characteristics at attractive prices”.

New drive system – made in Europe. The ID. CROSS Concept features a newly developed, state-of-the-art drive system. Two central modules are the electric drive motor including power electronics integrated in the front axle system and the high-voltage battery arranged flat in the sandwich floor. The electric drive motor in the concept car develops an output of 155kW (211 PS) and powers the front wheels. The WLTP range forecast for the new ID. CROSS Concept is up to 420 kilometres. Two other values are important for e-bike riders and fans of compact lifestyle camper vans: the ball coupling is designed for a drawbar load of 75 kg – enough to transport two e-bikes. The maximum trailer weight is up to 1,200 kg (braked, 8 per cent gradient).

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

01. ID. CROSS Concept - Near-production concept car

02. ID. CROSS Concept / ID. Cross / ID. Polo / ID. Polo GTI - near-production concept car

03. ID. 2all / ID. GTI Concept / ID. EVERY1 - concept car

Volkswagen will be presenting the results of three years of intensive development work at the IAA MOBILITY 2025 (8-14 September) in Munich, signalling the brand’s new direction. Inspired by the phrase “True Volkswagen”, the company has really honed in on typical Volkswagen strengths such as clean design with recognition factor, high standards of quality, an attractive price-performance ratio, intuitive operating concepts and innovative technologies.

The result is a model range that, for the most part, is made up of new vehicles and will now be on display for the first time at the IAA MOBILITY 2025. Future new additions to the range include four electric cars in the small car and compact segment, which will be gradually launched onto the market from 2026. In addition to the new ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI, which will still be camouflaged for their appearance at the IAA, the new ID. CROSS Concept – a near-production-ready compact SUV concept vehicle – will also make its debut at the event. The entry-level model ID. EVERY1, priced at 20,000 euros, will round off the attractive range of all-electric small cars in the future. Coinciding with this, the brand will launch its new naming strategy, with the ID. Polo as the first vehicle to reflect the new approach. Established VW vehicle names will also be transferred to electric vehicles.

Furthermore, Volkswagen is also continuing its product campaign for its combustion-engine models and will be presenting the new edition of the million-best-seller T-Roc in Munich. It complements the range of newly developed Tiguan, Tayron and Passat models. However, special models such as the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE also showcase the Wolfsburg-based brand’s new spirit.

With a wide range of intelligently designed combustion-engine and electric models, Volkswagen is launching a cutting-edge portfolio of vehicles as it enters the second half of the decade. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, Head of the Brand Group Core and member of the Group Board of Management: “Our goal for the next five years is clear: By 2030, we want to establish ourselves as the leading high-volume manufacturer for pioneering technology. At the IAA 2025, we will be demonstrating that we are ready to deliver on this now!”

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

01. ID. CROSS Concept - Near-production concept car

02. ID. Polo / ID. Polo GTI / ID. CROSS Concept - Near-production concept car

03. ID. EVERY1 - Concept car

Three legends, plenty of action – and a look into the future: the Polo is celebrating its 50th anniversary in sporty aplomb with an impressive drifting video. In it, the Polo R WRC and Polo R Supercar in a Harlekin livery selected by fans, as well as the electric Polo RX1e, show off their drifting abilities. None other than Johan Kristoffersson himself goes full throttle at unusual locations around the Polo plant in South Africa. But even the World Rallycross Champion is outshone at the end by a surprise guest.

Half a century of the Polo. Fifty years in which the small Volkswagen has achieved great things – on the road, in the hearts of fans and in motorsport. Because the Polo is not only one of the brand’s best-known models, it is also one of the most successful. In everyday life or motorsport, its impact is unmistakable – with numerous titles in the World Rally and Rallycross Championships. Now the legend is back in spectacular style: Volkswagen is showcasing the Polo R WRC and Polo R Supercar from the Volkswagen Classic collection, along with the all-electric Polo RX1e as the KMS racing team’s guest vehicle. The video can now be viewed on Volkswagen’s global social media channels.

The video shows the trio in breathtaking drifts and impressive manoeuvres. “In our communications regarding the Polo anniversary, we not only want to look back, but forward too and generate enthusiasm for the Volkswagen brand. That’s why we deliberately decided to showcase the ID. Polo’s first appearance in a spectacular and surprising way. This video stands for everything that is quintessential of the Polo: a small car that can do great things and that is geared towards the future,” says Jens Katemann, Head of Communications for the Volkswagen Brand and Brand Group Core.

In the fast-paced video, Sweden’s Johan Kristoffersson sits at the wheel – and you can immediately see that spectacular manoeuvres are his forte: the seven-time FIA World Rallycross Champion and two-time Gymkhana Grid Champion skilfully steers the powerful all-wheel-drive vehicles in precise drifts in a wide variety of situations. “The shoot was a huge pleasure for me. It was a great experience to drive the sporty Polo models one after the other and push them to their limits – their characters are different, but they all performed equally really well,” says Johan Kristoffersson, currently top driver in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Top director also showcases the home of the Polo
The shooting locations were not chosen at random: Gqeberha in South Africa has been the home of the Polo for many years, including Polos for the European market. The cameras recorded captivating scenes at the harbour, on a closed-off highway in downtown Gqeberha, on the Volkswagen test track and at the Volkswagen plant in Kariega. The video was directed by none other than Jon Richards. With more than 20 years of experience in the automotive film industry and many years as a director of Top Gear, he is considered to be one of the most influential storytellers in this genre – and he once again proves his mettle with the Polo drift video.

Vehicles in the classic colours of the Polo Harlekin
The two older Polo models from the 5th generation sport a special livery: created by renowned designer Sean Bull, it is a tribute to the Polo Harlekin cult model. In April, fans were asked to choose one of four designs and, in an online vote for the livery, chose the classic Harlekin colours Ginster Yellow, Flash Red, Pistachio and Chagall Blue. Together with the many motorsport elements, the vehicles are real eye-catchers.

Grand finale with the all-electric future, the ID. Polo

At the end, the drift clip makes a clear statement. Then, surprisingly, the future all-electric successor appears: the new ID. Polo is welcomed by its sporty predecessors and enters the spotlight as the new member of the Polo family – an exciting new chapter after 50 successful years.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

01. Polo GTI - Fuel consumption: combined 6.9-6.5 l/100km; CO₂ emissions: combined 156-149 g/km; CO₂ class: F-E. ID. Polo - Near-production concept car

02. ID. Polo - Near-production concept car

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