Following last week’s teaser preview, VW let loose all the details concerning the third member of its sporty “R” family. Making its world premier at the Sydney Show (Oct.11), the R50 is based on the Touareg V10 TDi model. Adjustments to the V10 diesel unit’s turbo charger and ECU increased overall output to 350 Hp (+37 Hp) and maximum torque to a tremendous 850 Nm or 626.9-lb/ft (+100 Nm or 73.7-lb/ft). The R50 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h(62 mph) in 6.7 sec (Touareg V10 TDi: 7.4 sec) while it has a top speed of 235 km/h – 146 mph.

Extra power aside, the R50 comes equipped with a sport package that includes among other things, redesigned bumpers, side skirts, 21-inch alloys and a modified radiator grille, sport seats and metallic decor in the interior. The R50 will be introduced in German market this November (other markets will follow shortly) with prices starting from €88,260 / $124,370. -Press release and images after the jump

The Touareg R50: World Premiere in Sydney

Impressive power: The V10 TDI of the Touareg R50 develops 350 PS of power and 850 Newton-meter of torque

Exclusive features: Distinctive exterior, leather sport seating system, 21-inch wheels and air suspension sport chassis

Wolfsburg, 08 October 2007 - In a world premiere, Volkswagen will be presenting the Touareg R50 on October 11 at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Its power of 258 kW / 350 PS (at 3,500 rpm) positions the new Touareg version among the most powerful SUVs in the world. The Touareg R50 can be ordered in Germany at prices starting at 88,260 Euro; it will be introduced to the market this November.

The engine characteristic of the Touareg R50 is marked by a torque level nearly unattainable by the competition: The V10 TDI of the Touareg R50 develops its enormous power of 850 Newton-meter at a low 2,000 rpm. The turbo diesel was derived from the well-known ten cylinder with 230 kW / 313 PS. Adjustments to its turbo charging and modified engine management enabled a 28 kW / 37 PS increase in power and a considerable 100 Newton-meter increase in maximum torque. Under these new parameters, the SUV accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds (production car: 7.4 seconds); its top speed is 235 km/h. In relation to engine power and vehicle size, the fuel consumption of the production ten-cylinder diesel equipped with a particulate filter is a moderate 9.6 liters per 100 km (highway) and 12.6 liters per 100 km (overall). Despite big gains in power and torque, its DIN fuel consumption values have remained constant compared to the Touareg V10 TDI.

In keeping with the performance potential of the R50, Volkswagen Individual designed new exterior and interior features according to the R philosophy. From the outside, the new Touareg R50 is easy to recognize with its 21-inch Omanyt type alloy wheels and size 295 tires, blue painted brake calipers, discrete wheel well flares, side skirts and distinctive bumpers (Sport Design Package), as well as a modified radiator grille (in a matte finish chrome).

Offered exclusively on the Touareg R50 is the car color "Biscay blue". Blue hues of this type have been typical of the high-powered R models since the first Golf R32 was introduced in the year 2002. Offered as optional car colors on the Touareg R50 are "Campanella white", "Reflex silver", "Black Magic" and "Atacam gray".

The car’s extensive features also include an air suspension sport chassis: The so-called "Driving dynamics package with adaptive roll compensation" and chassis lowered by twenty millimeter supplements the "Sport" mode of the manually or automatically controlled air suspension by achieving a stiffer spring rate.

On the inside, the SUV’s features include a sport seating system in anthracite-colored nappa leather with R50 logo integrated in the headrests. The logo was also integrated in the stainless steel tread plates. Also in keeping with the sporty character of the Touareg is the light-colored "engine spin" decor of the interior – a metallic structure similar to that previously used on race cars – as well as metal worked caps for the accelerator and brake pedals. A R50 logo also decorates the gearshift lever of the six-speed automatic transmission (Tiptronic). Standard features the Touareg R50 also include a winter package (including seat heating for the rear seats), the Premium Memory Package (including electrically adjustable seats, steering column and seatbelt height), net partition behind the rear seats and a ski sack.