Volkswagen’s R lineup is set to expand as company’s
sales and marketing boss has confirmed a Touareg R is in the works. According to Auto Express, Jürgen
Stackmann said the upcoming crossover will become the first R model to feature
a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Stackmann didn’t elaborate, but the model is
expected to be launched in 2021. The publication also suggests the
high-performance crossover will come equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter
four-cylinder and a powerful electric motor.
Volkswagen already offers a Touareg plug-in hybrid
in China and it features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is
backed up by an electric motor that develops 134 hp. This
setup enables the model to have a combined output of 363 hp and 699 Nm of torque. The crossover also has an electric-only range
of 58 km.
The Touareg plug-in hybrid is slated to arrive in
Europe in the future and the Touareg R will undoubtedly be more powerful.
Nothing is official, but speculation suggests it could have around 400 hp.
While the Touareg will become the first plug-in
hybrid R model, more electrified variants are on the horizon. As Autocar noted,
Stackmann said this is just the beginning of the journey and it will be up to
Volkswagen R boss Joss Capito to deliver an electric future for the sub-brand.
However, that’s a ways off as Stackmann said we can expect traditional R models
in the immediate future.
