| Volkswagen's Touareg has accomplished new heights | | | | spotlights fitted to the roof rack, which also |
| in the realm of off-road capability. It has set a new | | | | accommodates spare wheels and rescue equipment. |
| world altitude record for a motor vehicle of 6,080 | | | | Because at 5,000 metres the air becomes thinner, the |
| metres. Accomplished by a standard-engined Touareg | | | | crew was given additional oxygen by altitude specialist |
| 3.2 litre V8, this record has been officially recognized | | | | Dr. Rainald Fischer, to prevent potentially life-threatening |
| by the Guinness World Records (TM) Book. | | | | altitude sickness. |
| This feat was achieved on January 29 in the slopes of | | | | The route of the expedition was selected with the help |
| the world's highest volcano. The expedition team | | | | of the Institute of Cartography at the University of |
| battled against icy winds and lack of oxygen to | | | | Dresden following a four-week survey of the summit |
| achieve this record. The altimeter and GPS system | | | | region for the purpose of making new maps. In return, |
| displayed the result of 6,080 metres. Currently, this is | | | | the knowledge gained in the expedition will help the |
| the highest point on the earth's surface that a vehicle | | | | cartographers verify their work. |
| can reach and safely return from. By reaching this | | | | The Institute for Cartography at the University of |
| altitude, the Touareg proves its abilities in extreme | | | | Dresden helped to select the route to the summit |
| conditions and surpassed the performance of all other | | | | following a recent four-week survey of the summit |
| off-road vehicles. | | | | region for the purpose of making new maps. The |
| Headed by Rainer Zietlow, the team of eight first went | | | | knowledge gained by the expedition will help the |
| through the Atacama Desert, the world's driest area. | | | | cartographers verify their work. But the most |
| The base camp is located above the salt lake Laguna | | | | important scientific aspect of the expedition was the |
| Santa Rosa, famous for its pink flamingoes, 4,400 | | | | installation of a seismographic station, managed by the |
| metres above sea level. From here the trail continues | | | | Geological Research Centre in Potsdam in this region |
| over stones and pebbles with an 80 per cent gradient, | | | | endangered by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. |
| snow fields and soft volcanic sand. Driving the | | | | With this achievement, the Volkswagen Touareg |
| Touareg was Ronald Bormann, previous winner of the | | | | establishes its reputation as a tough off-roader |
| European Truck Trail competition. | | | | capable of meeting challenges such as extreme |
| In some sections of the mountainous terrain, huge | | | | weather conditions and rocky terrain. Volkswagen's |
| rocks blocked the path. A winch, fitted as standard | | | | renowned excellence in automotive design is |
| accessory to the Touareg Expedition, a special edition | | | | manifested in the Touareg, along with other models |
| version, helped the team on its way. There were also | | | | including the Golf, Jetta, and the new Beetle. |