Volkswagen has been spied testing what appears to be a close-to-production-ready Touareg before its expected debut in the coming months.
Car Spy Media snapped the Touareg wearing minimal disguise during cold-weather testing.
Volkswagen has said that it plans to debut the facelifted flagship in the European summer which indicates a June-August debut.
Sales of the updated Touareg for European and UK markets are expected to commence before the end of 2023 while Australian deliveries will commence during the first quarter of 2024.
In the video shared on YouTube, it appears that VW is still keeping some of the front and rear changes hidden. Volkswagen recently teased some of these changes in a set of images of a camouflaged vehicle.
At the front it receives revised headlights that include 38,400 micro LEDs, as well as a light bar that bisects the grille.
The new headlights also receive a new “lane light” function, that projects an “interactive carpet” of light onto the lane ahead to better show what’s in the path of the vehicle.
The side doesn’t appear to receive any physical changes to the body, however VW will reportedly add new 21-inch wheel designs.
At the rear, the tail lights will receive refreshed graphics, an illuminated Volkswagen logo – in a European first – and possibly another light bar across the tailgate.
The carmaker may also make slight changes to the rear bumper, though it’s hard to tell under the disguise.
Volkswagen confirmed the updated Touareg will receive a new roof load sensor for measuring additional cargo weight like a roof box, to make necessary adjustments to the electronic stability control system.
Both the standard steel-sprung suspension, as well as the available two-chamber air suspension, have been retuned “to achieve an even larger bandwidth between maximum comfort and optimum performance”.
Design changes for the interior cabin include an updated version of Volkswagen’s Innovision Cockpit, with a 15-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
It is yet to be confirmed if this will come standard in all upcoming models or if base versions will still run an analogue instrument cluster and smaller touchscreen.
Software updates to the Innovation Cockpit now include “lane-precise” satellite navigation functionality, HD map data, enhanced voice control function, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There are also softer armrests and new centre console panels with padded leatherette based on customer feedback.
It’s unclear if there will be any changes to the powertrain line-up. The current Touareg doesn’t offer mild-hybrid powertrains, even in Europe, though a plug-in hybrid is offered.
Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the plug-in hybrid R will join the local line-up. It had been expected here last year, but the company said it decided to skip the current version in anticipation for the updated model in order to secure more volume.
