On August 23rd, 2022, FAW-Volkswagen officially released all models of the new mid-term facelift version of the Tanyue, including the regular fuel version of the Tanyue, the sleek-designed Tanyue X, and the plug-in hybrid version Tanyue GTE.
The mid-term facelift models released this time cover a price range of 204,900 to 262,900 yuan, among which the price of the Tanyue GTE is 242,900 yuan, only available in the luxury plus advanced version configuration. The new Tanyue has two appearance kits: the luxurious version with iconic dimples and the sporty R-Line kit, while the sporty-styled Tanyue X and Tanyue GTE both use the R-Line kit.
The illuminated badge is no longer exclusive to the ID series
What we are more concerned about is the Tanyue GTE compared to the fuel-powered R-Line version, which has slight differences in exterior parts, only modifying the decorations on the grille and the chrome decorations on both sides of the front bumper. If you don’t deliberately look at the GTE badge on the side and the green plate on the front, it’s hard to distinguish between the hybrid and fuel-powered versions at first glance.
At the same time, the previous C-shaped daytime running lights, which were always present in Volkswagen plug-in hybrid models, have been cancelled on the Tanyue GTE compared to the previous version. Therefore, the personality of the new Tanyue GTE in terms of exterior appearance has been weakened quite a bit.
However, the overall exterior design is more in line with Volkswagen’s ID series. The new car has a continuous daytime running light design from the headlight group to the badge. The new Tanyue series has also been equipped with illuminated badges, not only for ID.4/ID.6 series but also for fuel-powered cars.
On the headlight group, the IQ.Light matrix light is also equipped this time. It can recognize road environment through front monocular camera, and the overall speed and response can refer to our previous test of ID.6 CROZZ. ID. Matrix Headlight Test
The tail of the new Touareg has also been changed from the previous split design to the currently popular through design. The “X” logo is added inside the lamp chamber, and the internal structure is much more delicate than the old Touareg. When driving on the road, you can see at a glance that it is the latest Volkswagen SUV.
Full Suspension Floating Screen
The interior of the new Touareg also follows the family-style design, equipped with the latest 12-inch full suspension floating screen, and supports functions such as app store, car networking, and voice assistant. The LCD instrument panel is still 10.25 inches, and the interface and displayed information are relatively simple.
In the interior, Volkswagen also breaks the stereotype, replacing it with multi-colored ambient lights. Previously, ID.6 CROZZ hid the ambient lights in the black trim, while in the Touareg, the ambient lights are hidden in the wood interior, which is considered as taking the laser technology to the extreme.
The lower part of the center console still maintains the overall style of the current Touareg. It is still designed with simplicity and ease of use as the interior design concept.
EA211 + DQ400e
The new Touareg retains the configuration of the current model in the powertrain. The GTE we are most concerned about is still equipped with Volkswagen’s 1.4T EA211 turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a maximum power of 110 kW and a maximum torque of 250 N·m. It is a high-power engine of 280 TSI in the Volkswagen system, and believe it is also a well-known parameter for Volkswagen fans.On the basis of the engine, the GTE model adds an additional 85 kW front motor, which provides a combined power output of 155 kW and maximum combined torque of 400 N·m. It is matched with DQ400e 6-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, which is based on the 6-speed DSG with the code name of DQ250 and improved for the P2 hybrid structure.
There are three sets of clutches in DQ400e. In addition to the traditional K1 and K2 clutches, an extra K0 clutch for engine disconnection is added to cut off the connection between the engine and the electric motor, achieving pure electric driving.
Regarding the power battery, the new Touareg GTE still adopts a 13 kWh battery pack as the previous model, and the official NEDC range is 56 km. If there is a home charging pile, and the daily commuting distance is controlled within 40 km, fuel replenishment is basically unnecessary throughout the week. However, the fuel cost for using 95 gasoline for Touareg GTE is indeed not low.
Fortunately, the 1.4T+DQ400e powertrain in Touareg GTE tends to be more direct-drive in the hybrid/under-electric mode. Therefore, it can achieve a relatively good fuel consumption performance on the highway and elevated roads. However, this powertrain does not support four-wheel drive structure for the time being.
Finally
Lastly, here’s a little piece of useless knowledge for everybody. The naming of FAW-Volkswagen’s plug-in hybrid models and German version plug-in hybrid models are consistent, and they are all referred to as “GTE” models, belonging to the same series as the well-known GTI and the upcoming GTX models. SAIC Volkswagen’s plug-in hybrid models are directly named “PHEV”.
Although they are named differently in the suffix, we can understand them as “GTE” models since both SAIC Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen’s plug-in hybrid models have a GTE mode button, which can combine engine and motor power output. The acceleration results of per 100 kilometers under full charge can be compared with the speed of Volkswagen 380 TSI.
Volkswagen Group is currently still focused on transformation, advancing the development of the ID. series under the MEB platform, and further promoting the research and development of the PPE pure electric platform. The current GTE models are transitional products for Volkswagen Group, and for consumers, the 242,900 yuan Tiguan GTE still has certain product strength.
The L2 level of assisted driving under the MQB EVO platform is very stable, and all the latest configurations have been deployed. The hybrid form of the P2 structure plus a dual-clutch gearbox can also allow drivers to experience a more mechanical driving feel. However, in the end, we still need to look at the Tiguan GTE after the mid-term facelift. After injecting new blood into the GTE family, market feedback can have new breakthroughs.
Source: Volkswagen official website.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.