| It's named after a nomadic, hearty Saharan tribe with | | | | wheels.The electronically controlled permanent |
| the unusual- | | | | four-wheel drive, electronically |
| sounding name, TOUR-egg. Literally translated, the | | | | regulated shock absorbers and double wish-bone |
| word means "free | | | | suspension |
| folk."So what better way to test drive the Touareg -- | | | | enhanced the vehicle's nice road handling.The |
| the first SUV offered by | | | | Touareg's most intriguing feature is its three varying |
| Volkswagen -- than during an open-road, 400-mile | | | | locking |
| round-trip journey to | | | | differentials that can offer up to 12 inches of ground |
| the famed Monterey Peninsula?Certainly, my chosen | | | | clearance |
| route south on Interstate 5 has long stretches | | | | depending upon road or off-round terrain surfaces.I |
| where anyone who enjoys the pleasures of driving | | | | had the standard differential engaged during my entire |
| can feel "free."But 30 miles into my journey, a sensor | | | | journey, and |
| warning appeared on the | | | | the Touareg didn't disappoint. It accelerated well and |
| console panel: "Defective tire on board."The same | | | | handled lane |
| warning had also appeared sporadically during my first | | | | maneuvering and cornering nicely.On some ascents, |
| two | | | | the vehicle was slightly underpowered and during |
| days with the vehicle in short, around-town treks. A | | | | long straight highway stretches, a windshield "whistle" |
| local Volkswagen | | | | interrupted an |
| dealer representative said many Touaregs have | | | | otherwise quiet, smooth ride.My test Touareg also |
| suffered through the | | | | featured a nearly $6,500 options package, |
| same "growing pains."In short, owners noticing the | | | | including a navigation system ($2,650), an 11-speaker, |
| same warning have brought their new | | | | 325-watt, 12- |
| vehicles to dealers with concern. But they've largely | | | | channel audio system and a single CD changer |
| discovered nothing | | | | ($2,200). Add leather |
| is wrong with the exception of an overly sensitive | | | | and 12-way power seats, upgraded headlamps and a |
| computer system.In my instance, the warning quickly | | | | rear differential |
| changed to a danger light: "Flat | | | | lock and the Touareg's price increased to a hefty |
| Tire." I stopped at freeway exit service station and | | | | $41,815.The audio system, while powerful, included a |
| examined what | | | | complicated channel and |
| appeared to be four properly inflated tires. | | | | mode selection formula that can easily distract a |
| Nonetheless, I increased tire | | | | driver with varying |
| pressure slightly in all of the tires, noted that the | | | | musical tastes. Volume and channel controls are also |
| warning and danger | | | | available on the |
| lights disappeared and continued with my trip.Through | | | | steering wheel, near the controls for the easy-to-use |
| three more days mixed with city and freeway miles, | | | | cruise control.Considering its new position in the luxury |
| the | | | | SUV market, purchasers of the |
| warnings appeared and disappeared several times, | | | | Touareg are likely not in the market for fuel efficiency. |
| and I subsequently | | | | Still, the |
| read about the Touareg's first recall for a related | | | | manufacturer's estimates of 15 mpg (city) and 20 |
| problem with its Tire | | | | (mpg) highway didn't |
| Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).Nonetheless, the | | | | hold true during my test week.After several days of |
| local dealer had assured me there wouldn't be a | | | | driving primarily highway miles, I refilled the tank |
| problem. And with that in mind, I began a steady, if | | | | and calculated the mileage at disappointing 14.1 |
| slow, study of a | | | | mpg.2004 Volkswagen TouaregSafety features -- |
| powerful vehicle that includes a multitude of innovation, | | | | Driver and front passenger (front, side and curtain) |
| a spacious | | | | airbags and supplemental restraint system, three-point |
| interior, a comfortable ride and a sensory overload of | | | | seatbelts (all |
| features.The Touareg I drove was equipped with a | | | | seating positions), child safety rear door locks, tire |
| 3.2-liter, 24-valve, 220- | | | | pressure monitoring |
| horsepower V6 engine and had a base price of | | | | system.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 15 mpg (city), 20 |
| $34,900. The blue-silver | | | | mpg (highway)Warranty -- Warranty -- New car |
| exterior was nicely complemented with an | | | | limited four years/50,000 miles; |
| anthracite-colored interior.The standard features list | | | | Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 12 years |
| was long and included such unique offerings | | | | unlimited miles.Price range -- $35,000 to $46,000.James |
| as five 12-volt power outlets, dual zone climate with | | | | Raia is a syndicated journalist in Sacramento, Calif., |
| rear vents, a | | | | who writes |
| multifunction trip computer and compass, a recharging | | | | about sports, fitness and business topics as well as |
| mini-flashlight | | | | the free electronic |
| and power heatable exterior mirrors.Additional special | | | | newsletters Endurance Sports News and Tour de |
| features included heatable driver and passenger | | | | France Times and The |
| seats, a powerglass sunroof and 17-inch alloy | | | | Weekly Driver, a car review column. |