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VW Plans Supercharged Hybrid Touareg

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2008 Volkswagen Touareg2

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It's about time "supercharged" and "hybrid" are being used in the same sentence. Adding to an already full stable of gas and diesel engines, Volkswagen has announced that a supercharged hybrid Touareg is on the way.

The new Touareg will employ a start-stop system to save gas when idle, regenerative braking to help charge the battery and a clutch that disengages the engine when the gas pedal is released. The hybrid will also come with an eight-speed transmission and full-time all-wheel drive.

VW will use a supercharged 3.0 liter V6 and an electric motor to provide a total of 328 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque for daily driving. Here's the fun part: when the driver drops the hammer or moves the gear shifter to "S" mode, 369 horsepower and a robust 406 pound-feet of torque become available. VW expects this to move the hybrid Touareg from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. Not to mention the 7,500 pounds of towing capacity all while achieving a combined 26 miles per gallon. That's faster, stronger and more efficient than the upcoming Chevy Silverado Hybrid

Sounds fantastic...and expensive.

Source: Inside Line