The new Touareg.

With air suspension (optional on the V6) and sensor-driven dynamic damping control, the new Touareg rides smoothly over every bump. The level control helps you respond and adapt to different surfaces and situations. It can raise itself up to 140 millimetres to give a ground clearance of 300 milllimetres where necessary.

Touareg’s hill-start assist lets it power from a standing start up a slope of up to 45 degrees without blinking. Hill-holder, hill descent assist and roll-over sensors are standard on all models.

The Touareg is certainly not afraid of getting its feet wet. Its off-road systems mean a wading depth of up to 580 mm.

Driving off-road normally means traversing sudden steep inclines and descents so short overhangs are critical. Touareg’s compact overhangs mean 45 degree inclines can be tackled without grounding the body, front or rear.

Going up a hill is one thing, driving across one is quite another. The Touareg can traverse a side-slope angle of up to 35 degrees, with full traction and control.

Approach and departure angles of up to 30 degrees mean the Touareg can glide over sharp rises with ease. The V6 has a stationary ground clearance of 205 mm. The V8’s air suspension increases ground clearance to 233 mm.