New cars you can buy: 2023 Volkswagen Touareg boosted with 1000-car shipment

Almost one-year’s supply of Volkswagen Touareg SUVs is due in Australian showrooms in one shipment in the second half of this year, amid lengthy stock shortages that have crippled the global automotive industry.

Volkswagen Australia has been battling with various forms of stock shortages for about four years, first due to new emissions regulations in Europe strangling supply, long periods between model changeovers, COVID-19 production slowdowns, semiconductor shortages, and the war in Ukraine (which manufactures key electrical components).

Volkswagen today confirmed more than 1000 examples of its flagship Touareg large SUV are bound for local showrooms in the second half of 2022, after it “negotiated a prioritisation of Touareg volume” with the factory “to meet consistently high SUV demand”.

It remains to be seen whether the shipments of Touaregs pave the way for improved supply of VW’s smaller SUVs – which face wait times of up to 12 months, in the case of certain Tiguan variants (162TSI R-Line).

Volkswagen Australia estimates the batches of Touaregs will allow it to “fulfil orders for 2000+ annual sales” in 2022, almost double the 1261 examples sold in 2021, and the 1202 reported the year prior.

It could also eclipse the 2168 cars sold in 2016, which was preceded by 2568 sales reported in 2015, according to industry sales data published by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

Three Touareg variants are currently available in Australia, all powered by diesel engines: the $87,990 plus on-road costs 170TDI, $106,990 210TDI Elegance and $116,290 210TDI R-Line.

The range will expand later this year when orders open for the plug-in hybrid Touareg R performance flagship – though first showroom arrivals won’t commence until 2023, a few months later than previously confirmed (November 2022).

Whereas the three TDI models use 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engines with up to 210kW, the Touareg R pairs a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 with an electric motor and 14.4kWh battery for 340kW/700Nm outputs, 47km of electric range, 3500kg towing capability, and a 5.1-second 0-100km/h time.

Pricing for the Touareg R is yet to be confirmed, though it is expected to cost in excess of $135,000 before on-road costs, taking the place of the sold-out V8 TDI diesel variant ($136,490, when last on sale in 2021).

“The arrival of additional flagship SUV volume means that for the first time in this generation of Touareg we are forecasting supply that closes in on demand,” Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles brand director Michal Szaniecki said in a media statement.

“These are the ‘green shoots’ our dealerships and customers have been looking for, and we are continuing to pursue additional volume for Australia with other model lines.

“We thank our customers for their patience as we navigate range-wide supply challenges, and can’t wait to welcome many happy new – and loyal – customers into their Touareg before the new year.”

Note: All prices listed above exclude on-road costs.