Geneva 2010: VW Touareg

Here in the beginning of February, it seems as if two autoshows are going on at once - the Chicago International Auto Show, which is currently under way, and the Geneva Auto Show in March.

Launches from Geneva have been being released steadily, with two important ones happening today. Volkswagen held a special event in Munich to launch a redesigned version of their largest (and first) SUV, the Touareg.

The current Touareg is a good looking SUV, but it is a bit bland, coming from the same era of Volkswagen design as cars like the previous generation Passat. A big change in formula wasn't needed, just a refresh to give it more pizzaz. And hat is exactly what has happened with the new Touareg.

VW's latest theme is bolder, with the new horizontal full-width extending to the headlights featuring. Prepare to see it on the entire lineup; it has already appeared on the Golf and Polo - it is the new look of VW, and one we quite like. It gives the Touareg a decidedly more recognizable and sporty look.

Stunning! The new Touareg builds upon the excellent, Phaeton-like interior of the last-generation car, which was praised pretty universally by critics. The new one is even better, with high-quality materials and a design similar to the Audi A8.

A startiling fact about the new Touareg, and one that bucks the trend of redesigns like this, is a reduction in weight. And by no small amount either, with the base model Touareg registering in at 460 pounds lighter than the previous model.

VW's goal is here is to increase efficiency (which has been, by about 20%) through weight and powertrains as well. As such, the Touareg will be the first mass-produced hybrid from VW.

The electric motor works with VW's supercharged and direct injected 3.0-liter V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. We'll have to wait for all the official specifications until VW does a United States press release - for now, this one is for European markets. It is good to see what it looks like though!