The new Touareg will be released onto the market packed with a range of innovations. The new Touareg is the first Volkswagen model available with the Night Vision assist system and the first to include an actively steering rear axle.

Volkswagen are introducing the new luxury SUV that will be as agile and as easy to handle as a compact car. This manoeuvrability comes courtesy of the newly developed all-wheel steering system. Both the front and rear wheels turn precisely in tune with the specific driving situation. This all-wheel steering is one of the reasons why the Touareg cuts such a dash even in narrow city streets or when manoeuvring. The new system also provides extra driving stability at high speeds.

There are essentially two types of driving scenario where the optional all- wheel steering system makes an impact: driving at speeds below 37 km/h (23 mph) and at speeds above 37 km/h (23 mph).

At speeds over 37 km/h, when the front wheels steer left, the rear axle electronically steers right by up to five degrees, and vice-versa, improving the vehicle’s manoeuvrability.

Over 37 km/h, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front ones during steering. This once again makes for smoother handling, especially at the kind of speeds reached on country roads and motorways, as the all-wheel steering system provides stability when changing lanes (during quick overtaking, for example). The same goes for sudden evasive manoeuvres.

The new all-wheel steering feature, along with air suspension, is offered as part of a package which includes automatic adaptive suspension, height adjustment and electronic damping control. This package takes the agility of the Touareg to a level that was virtually unimaginable in this segment until recently.