VW Debuts Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck at LA Auto Show

by Thami Masemola
November 19, 2008 10:45 PM
Filed Under: Diesel, German, Los Angeles Auto Show, Motorsport, Volkswagen

In Los Angeles today Volkswagen showcased a purpose-built Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck, a race truck that will enter this year's Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, which is in its 41st year. The vehicle qualifies in the SCORE Trophy Truck class and is powered by a 5.5-liter V12 clean diesel engine. Power runs at 550bhp and torque reaches a thumping 625 lbs.-ft. Mind you all that power and twisting force are persuading something that weighs about 2.5 tons.

Featuring a double A-Arm front suspension and a 4-link rear suspension, this off-road menace carries Fox Racing Shocks, Eibach Coils and BFGoodrich Baja KRT 37x13.5x17 special purpose off-road tires. Front suspension allows for 25 inches of wheel travel, while the rear one allows for 30 inches. The car itself measures 213 inches in length, 92 inches of width, an overall vehicle height of 78 inches plus a wheelbase of 125 inches.

Design of the truck was done by Volkswagen Design Center in Santa Monica, California. It's loosely based on the common Volkswagen Touareg, also exhibited at the 2008 LA Auto Show, which has been approved by all 50 States in 3.0-liter V6 TDI form. A range of about 600 miles off a tank is possible on this road-going version, according to EPA results.

 

Source: VW
Press Release (Click to expand)

VOLKSWAGEN SHOWCASES VARIETY OF DIESEL TECHNOLOGY AT 2008 L.A. AUTO SHOW

Volkswagen showcased the breadth of their diesel powered technology during a news conference today at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show. Volkswagen debuted its all-new 50-state compliant Toaureg V6 TDI clean diesel SUV along with a purpose-built Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck that will run this years Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.

The Touareg V6 TDI clean diesel is powered by a 3.0L, turbocharged six cylinder engine capable of producing 221 horsepower and an impressive 407 lbs-ft. of torque. Utilizing common rail injection and the most advanced catalytic converter system in the world, it meets the most stringent emission requirements of California and will be available in all 50-states.

The Touareg V6 TDI will define a completely new generation of extremely economical and low emissions SUV's, and reinforces Volkswagen commitment to clean diesel technology as the most sensible alternative fuel vehicle available today.

The Touareg V6 TDI drastically reduces fuel costs with one of the most advanced diesel engines of our times. On the highway it attains an impressive 25 mpg according to EPA ratings, and with a fuel tank capacity of 26.4 gallons it equates to a driving range of more than 600 miles to the tank, all while emitting fewer emissions.

The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck that will run the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race in the SCORE Trophy Truck class is powered by a 5.5 liter V-12 clean diesel engine that produces 550 horsepower and 625 lbs.-ft. of torque.

Staying true to the off-road prowess that the Touareg is best known for, the purpose-built Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck takes the Touareg's off-road tenaciousness to a whole new level. With a double A-Arm front suspension that allows 25 inches of wheel travel, and a 4-link rear suspension that allows 30 inches of wheel travel, combined with Fox Racing Shocks, Eibach Coils and BFGoodrich Baja KRT 37x13.5x17 off-road tires the Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck should have little difficulty maneuvering the highly difficult and technical 634 mile Baja 1000 course.

Chassis design and production was handled by Arciero Miller Racing located in Foothill Ranch, California. The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck features a wheelbase of 125 inches, overall length of 213 inches, width of 92 inches, an overall height of 78 inches and weighs 5650 pounds. The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck Body was designed by the Volkswagen Design Center located in Santa Monica, California.

The Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI is sponsored by Volkswagen of America, Inc., Red Bull, BFGoodrich Tires, Dow Automotive, Oakley, KMC Wheels and Fox Shocks.

 

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Comments

yuck, the mitsu dakar lancer, looks way better then this

by Motor_Yakuza | November 19, 2008 11:47 PM
yaeh, and the looks at this race are important because why?

by out4ride | November 20, 2008 12:04 AM
yeah exactly, the look doesnt matter to me either, its just to prove that german engineiring is way more advance then mitsubishi, or whatever you call it

by cameron87 | November 20, 2008 5:12 AM
hahaha, look back, on the dakar results, and tell us , who is the most wining manufacturer in the last few years :P

by Motor_Yakuza | November 20, 2008 2:46 PM
i wonder if that engine will fit in a golf....

by hofmeyer | November 21, 2008 9:40 AM

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