2008 Volkswagen Touareg2

2008 Volkswagen Touareg2

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