New Touareg is instinctively sporty

There are very few tarmac-friendly SUVs that can boast off-road capabilities in the practical sense. It's true an all-wheel drive system can help you go off-road, but when it comes to an all-terrain system, it takes a bit more than just having a good powertrain. This is especially true when driving on sand where a low range selector and a lot of ground clearance are key factors.

The first generation VW Touareg, introduced in the early noughties, looked like it could handle the road and the desert with elegance and ease. It had the right kind of power and characteristics to handle medium off-road terrain without requiring any significant modifications.

The 2011 Touareg, now in its second generation, has better looks and an upgraded 4x4 system. It is available with two engine variants in this region. I was handed the V6 engine version for the test drive. The V8 is expected to arrive here shortly.

Take a look

At first glance, the brand new face that is similar to the new VW look that adorns the latest cars from the brand was instantly recognisable. The headlights with the LED daytime running lights make it very appealing and the relationship that they share with their Audi cousins becomes obvious with the similarities. The tail lights also look a lot better than they did on the previous generation Touareg and although the dimensions are similar, the new Touareg looks a lot sleeker and sportier. In fact, the new design of the Touareg overall makes the SUV's sportiness look like second nature.

The interiors have a typical VW look and as I stepped in, I looked for the Dynaudio speakers that the Golf R comes with. But the V6 Touareg is equipped with the standard audio system, which is not bad, but miles apart from the one I heard in the "R".

The dashboard and controls are ergonomically sound and solidly built. There is absolutely no question about the quality of materials used; the interior looks - and feels - luxurious and sturdy. The panoramic sunroof adds that extra element of luxury and class to the car.

The 2011 Touareg comes with more legroom than its predecessor - a welcome addition for most of us. And if I were to believe my friends and family who occupied the rear seats for a drive around town, there's plenty of space there too. In fact, one of my friends commented on the seats themselves: "Really comfy."

The navigation system and the multimedia interface are user-friendly. One of the pluses I found in the Touareg is that it comes with SD card slots (for multimedia) and a SIM card slot (for the built-in phone) in the glove compartment.

Behind the wheel

Driving the Touareg on tarmac is a stress-free experience. One of the first things I realised once I set the car in motion was that it has an excellent suspension system. It was so good that I could hardly feel any of the minor irregularities on the road.

The same could be said of the transmission - it was so smooth that I found no reason to switch to manual override. The acceleration was great and just as I'd expected it to be; after all the 2011 Touareg V6 version comes with a 3.6-litre engine with 280 horsepower and a maximum of 360 Nm of torque.

Fuel efficiency is one factor that must be mentioned. It is great in the Touareg, and the 2011 V6 models, according to Volkswagen, consume 2.5 litres less gasoline per 100 kilometres than the previous model. So what we get now is a lot more power with improved fuel consumption. The 8-speed transmission, which incidentally is a world first on an SUV, enables 34 per cent less engine speed while on overdrive compared to driving in sixth gear. In simple terms, this means it is very fuel efficient.

The Touareg feels a lot more secure than most other SUVs in its class. The steering feedback and smoothness also give it its unique drive characteristics. The engine response is good for a V6 and there was no feeling of lethargy as it powered ahead, particularly on highways and while overtaking. I am waiting to try out the V8 version, which will have a lot more power and torque at its disposal.

I took the Touareg out to the beach and I found that it behaved really well on sand. And that's what I think this car is perfect for - a nice weekend vehicle that doubles as a family car that carries children to school and makes frequent trips to the supermarket on weekdays.

The off-road mode near the gear shifter adjusts the stability programmes and ABS electronically and optimises it for sand or gravel. That said, it's not suited for extreme off-roading. There isn't a dedicated low range gear selector - which is why I didn't take it on the sand dunes.

All-around visibility is great and coupled with the ride height, the Touareg is ideal for city driving. The V6 version suits most kinds of uses and the V8 would be great for those who need a lot more power and want to do a bit of serious off-roading.

If you were looking for a family car, I would highly recommend the V6 Touareg, especially with its new looks, comfy ride and fuel efficiency. It's not the best off-road vehicle, but with a few tweaks, it can do a lot more than other SUVs in its class. A few examples of modified Touaregs can be found doing the Dakar rally and although they're different from the road-going versions available, it shows what one can convert these SUVs into, if needed.