Volkswagen is working on an 'R' variant of the Touareg SUV that will join the R32 and Passat R36 in the brand's performance lineup, according to recent press reports. Powering the R Touareg will be a performance tuned variant of Volkswagen's 5.0-liter diesel V-10, which in stock form puts out 313 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.
At this point the power output of the R Touareg - likely to be called R50 to follow the naming convention - is anybody's guess. Aftermarket tuners have gotten up to 360 horsepower and 640 lb-ft out of the engine by reprogramming the ECU. Volkswagen's crack in-house team could likely accomplish much more with aggressive tuning and other modifications, possibly pushing torque into a stratospheric 800 lb-ft range.
Cosmetically, the R Touareg/R50 is likely to resemble the Touareg R-line pictured here, including the sporty, yet understated fascias as well as larger wheels equipped with performance rubber.
It is not known if Volkswagen will sell the vehicle in the U.S., but more than likely that decision will hinge on whether the vehicle will meet emissions regulations.
Via: MotorTrend