VW Touareg hybrid a "home run"?

But what about the price?

The Volkswagen Touareg hybrid, VW's first hybrid vehicle, is a "home run" and "its technology a considerable advancement for hybrids in general" according to MotorTrend. But why?

Is it the diesel hybrid technology that most impresses MT? The 375 horsepower or the 425 feet of torque? Maybe it's the 7700 pounds of towing capability?

MT never defines exactly what makes this hybrid such an "advancement". And, unfortunately, we've heard such sentiment from MT before regarding GM and Chrysler's dual mode hybrids, for instance. However, the price of dual mode hybrids has simply been too expensive, too cos-ineffective for most consumers.

The VW Touareg might be a technological home run, but if it isn't cost-effective, then it'll only be a single or double, at best, in the real world.

VW: 3 percent hybrid and EV by 2018

Nice improvement, but.......

Starting in 2012, VW will launch a number of new hybrid cars and electric vehicles, including the UP concept, as well as hybrid and electric versions of the Golf and Jetta, in addition to hybrid versions of the Passat and Touareg. Combined, the vehicles should achieve 3 percent of VW's total share of vehicles by 2018 according to current plans.

"The goal is to become the market leader in E-mobility by the year 2018. We want to attain an electric vehicle market share of three percent within our entire range of products. We will take the hybrid out of its niche status with our high-volume models. In the future, the heart of the brand will also beat with electricity," noted Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.

While that's a very nice improvement, it's hard to call that leadership. Toyota already sits above 3 percent hybrid share, and by 2020 Toyota hopes to be at 20 to 30 percent hybrid share, in addition to offering its own plug-in hybrid and EV solutions.

Of course, with all the recall scandals dogging Toyota, maybe 3 percent will be enough to be the battery-powered leader!? Either that, or it will be a blood path for the #2 EV-share player.

2011 VW Touareg set to come in hybrid option

VW's first hybrid coming to America later this year

Volkswagen, in cooperation with Porsche, is set to launch its first ever production hybrid and it will hit American showrooms later this year.

Using an Audi-built supercharged 3.0-liter V6 mated to a battery-powered electric motor, the new Touareg can achieve 380 hp and accelerate from 0 - 62 in 6.5 seconds. More important, however, the new NiMH-powered Touareg will be a full hybrid that can travel purely on electric power up to 30 mph. This full hybrid capability is expected to make the Touareg hybrid about 17 percent more fuel efficient than similarly-sized SUVs and up to 25 percent more fuel efficient in city driving.

Touareg hybrid coming next year

VW finally commits to a hybrid

Volkswagen hasn't been the biggest fan of hybrid technology. Instead, like most other European automakers, VW has focused on bringing clean diesel to the American market.

Nonetheless, the VW Touareg hybrid has been an on again, off again hybrid project. However, VW is now fully committed to bringing the Touareg hybrid to the American market some time next year, and VW's first hybrid will debut at the North American International Auto Show in January.