Detroit Auto Show: 2003 Volkswagen Touareg

    DETROIT, Jan. 6, 2003; Volkswagen of America, Inc. revealed its
highly anticipated SUV today at the Detroit Auto Show and announced a starting
price tag of $34,900, making it the most affordable and best-equipped German
luxury model of its type sold in North America.  In Canada, the price is
$52,100 Canadian.
    
    The 2003 Volkswagen Touareg, pronounced "Tour-regg," will go on sale in
the U.S. and Canada beginning this summer and come in two initial versions --
one model equipped with a 3.2-liter, 220 horsepower V6 engine and another with
a 4.2-liter, 310 horsepower V8.

    In describing the Touareg's unique place in the market, Volkswagen is
highlighting the SUV's unmatched and uncanny combination of refined German
luxury, Autobahn road performance, and mountain-goat tenacity to triumph over
the toughest off-road terrain.

    "The Touareg redefines the limits of mobility and stretches the limits of
freedom.  It rewrites the story of what SUVs should be all about," said Dr.
Jens Neumann, Volkswagen AG's member of the Board of Management in charge of
North America.

    Volkswagen also announced pricing for its V8 model, which will start at
$40,700 in the United States ($60,550 Canadian).

    Both the V6 and V8 models offer a class-leading level of features and off-
road engineering.  For example, the V6 Touareg comes with standard items such
as wood trim, eight-way adjustable leatherette seating, power glass sunroof,
dual-zone Climatronic temperature control with rear seat controls, six-speed
automatic transmission with Tiptronic(R), multi-function leather wrapped
steering wheel, automatic rain-sensor window wipers, alloy wheels and many
more items.  Uniquely, these features are combined with on- and off-road
performance equipment, including a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system with
ESP(R), automatic hill-decent control, low-range transfer case, and center
differential locking, to name a few.

    The V8 version reaches an even higher level of refinement and all-road
mobility with full leather 12-way power adjustable seating, 18-inch alloy
wheels, and many more luxury items.  In combination, the V8 provides an
optional four-corner air-suspension with Continuous Damping Control (automatic
height adjusting for all driving conditions), as well as standard center and
optional rear differential locking.

    Just a few of the safety items on both the V6 and V8 include front, side
and head airbags and four-wheel ABS with emergency brake assist.

    "Tiptronic is a registered trademark of Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG"

    "ESP is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler AG"