2014 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line Preview: 2013 Detroit Auto Show

The Volkswagen Touareg is an underappreciated gem, a rarity priced like a luxury SUV but equipped with a mainstream badge. In the U.S., where you are what you eat, wear, and drive, this market positioning is anathema to a vehicle such as the Touareg. It would probably help if people could spell, or say, its name.

For 2014, VW is adding a new model to the Touareg lineup that it hopes will stoke the sales fire. The new 2014 Touareg R-Line was on display at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Touareg wears a Volkswagen badge, but it credibly competes against other luxury SUV models such as the Acura MDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Infiniti FX, Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, and the entry-level Porsche Cayenne. Time will tell if the new 2014 Touareg R-Line gives VW’s go-anywhere off-roader extra appeal.

What’s New for the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line:

• Based on Touareg Lux trim level
• Standard V-6 engine
• Optional turbocharged Clean Diesel engine
• Sport suspension tuning
• 20-inch aluminum wheels
• Revised front styling
• Side skirts
• LED taillights
• Unique oval exhaust outlets
• Flat-bottomed steering wheel
• Gloss Black and brushed aluminum cabin trim

New 2014 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line: Styling and Design

Anyone intending to travel off-road is going to want to choose a different Touareg model. The 2014 Touareg R-Line’s Jay Leno-sized front air dam reduces the SUV’s approach angle. The attractive 20-inch wheels are pulled from the Touareg Executive trim level for use on the R-Line, but the side skits, oval exhaust outlets, and LED taillights are unique to the R-Line version – for now. The taillights and new exhaust outlets could very well be planned as an upgrade for all 2014 Touaregs.

Inside, the flat-bottomed steering wheel and mix of Gloss Black and brushed aluminum trim provides the Touareg R-Line with a more technical appearance than a standard Touareg Lux model.

New 2014 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line: What’s Under the Hood

The 2014 Touareg R-Line is equipped with a standard 3.6-liter V-6 engine generating 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 266 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm. Optionally, the R-Line can be equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter Clean Diesel V-6 generating 240 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 406 lb.-ft. of torque at just 2,000 rpm.

Both Touaregs are equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion permanent 4-wheel-drive with a Torsen center differential and adaptive torque distribution. What makes the Touareg R-Line worthy of the appellation is, apparently, its sport-tuned suspension.

New 2014 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line: Features and Technology

The 2014 VW Touareg R-Line offers nothing extra in the way of features and technology that isn’t already available on the Lux model. That means it comes standard with bi-Xenon headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System, LED running lights, heated and power folding side mirrors, and a power tailgate. Additional highlights from the standard features list include leather upholstery, 12-way power heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a reversing camera, a navigation system, and Bluetooth with audio streaming capability.

New 2014 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line: What Autobytel Thinks

The asking price for the new 2014 Touareg R-Line V-6 is likely to start at more than $50,000, with a 2014 Touareg R-Line Clean Diesel TDI running an extra $3,500. That’s lofty territory for a vehicle wearing a mainstream badge, and it means that spotting a new Touareg R-Line on your local roads remains unlikely.