by Gavin Conway

I thought two tons of metal was going to land on top of me so I took a discreet step to the left. In front of us the Touareg seesawed ominously, two diagonally opposed wheels finding grip on impossibly tall peaks of rock while the other two pawed the air helplessly. Then, a brief shudder of traction control and the big Volkswagen thumped heavily back to earth, all four wheels scrabbling for purchase once again. Darcey Bussell herself would have applauded.

And that was just the beginning — for the launch of the Touareg, Volkswagen devised one of the most diabolically challenging off-road courses I have ever encountered. The company is desperately keen, given that it is such a late entrant into this market, to prove that it has created a sporting off-roader with much more to offer than the competition — the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-class and Volvo XC90.

The Touareg’s off-road credentials are impeccable. It has full-time four-wheel drive, a low-ratio gearbox for the rough stuff, and locking centre and rear differentials for those who want to go completely mad. Along with up to 11.8in ground clearance, there is a host of traction programs to help the Touareg maintain its composure grip going up or down the most terrifying inclines. One Volkswagen engineer informed us that a Touareg will follow a Range Rover anywhere it cares to go. I can believe it, especially after a day spent tipping the VW over the side of mountains only to have it drive nonchalantly up the other side.

And you won’t find another Volkswagen with more presence than the Touareg. This is a big car — the photos don’t quite convey that — weighing in at more than 2.4 tons for the V10 TDI model. Everything about it is substantial, from those thick, heavy doors to the way the huge, bluff dashboard rises in front of you. The driving position is traditional commanding off-roader, giving you an eyeball-to-eyeball stance with the white-van community.

But Volkswagen is equally desperate to cover the luxury end of the market, too, so the Touareg cabin is a place of upmarket refinement. The versions we drove were draped in leather and wood, with climate control, air suspension and satellite navigation systems. Not all of these items will be standard on British Touaregs when they go on sale here in the summer of 2003, but expect even the most basic cars to be well equipped.

The first engine options in the UK will be a 5 litre 313bhp V10 TDI turbodiesel and a 3.2 litre 220bhp petrol V6. Later in 2003 the range will be expanded to include a 2.5 litre five-cylinder turbodiesel and a 4.2 litre petrol V8. To help the Touareg with its sporting brief, there is a six-speed automatic gearbox with tiptronic shifting, complete with nifty little Formula One-style paddles behind the steering wheel.

For 2003, though, the hero of the engine range will be that fabulous V10 TDI. It’s powerful and has enough torque to give the Touareg sensational and effortless performance. It’ll barge its way to 60mph in just 7.8sec, more than two seconds quicker than its petrol sibling.

On the road the Touareg is trying hard to catch the more sports-oriented competition. To that end the standard car boasts double wishbone front and rear suspension, as well as nicely weighted rack-and-pinion steering. And there is an optional air suspension system that can be set for “comfort”, which softens the dampers, or “sport” that stiffens things up a bit.

Pressed hard over challenging roads, the Touareg did better than I expected, especially given its weight. Decent feedback from the steering and a nicely tied-down chassis allow you to go quickly without scaring yourself or your passengers. It doesn’t, though, pose any dynamic threat to BMW’s X5.

Which raises another sticky problem for the Touareg. When it goes on sale prices will range from £28,000 for the entry-level V6 to £60,000 for the full-house V10 TDI with air suspension. At the bottom end of the range, the Touareg will be just £3,000 cheaper than the entry-level BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz ML 320. At the top, Range Rover’s finest is in the frame.

As good as it is, the Touareg is challenging some of the most desirable and accomplished badges on the planet. And that’s the biggest mountain this new VW has to climb.

Vital statistics

Model Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI
Engine type V10, turbocharged
Capacity 4920cc
Power 313bhp @ 3750rpm
Torque 553lb ft @ 2000rpm
Transmission Six-speed automatic with tiptronic
Suspension (front and rear) double wishbones and air suspension
Tyres 255/55 18
Fuel 20.5mpg (combined)
CO2 329g/km
Company car cost Will be determined early 2003
Acceleration 0 to 62mph: 7.8sec
Top speed 140mph
Insurance Group will be determined early 2003
Price £50,000 (est)
Verdict An admirable effort by VW, and good value, but still not as good as the BMW X5
Rating