The British award is especially significant for Touareg owners as anti-theft protection and perimeter security are the main priority of the independent examination, which determines insurance ratings of new vehicles in Great Britain.

Thatcham’s test procedure examines the perimeter security and theft protection of a vehicle based on the NVSA (New Vehicle Security Assessment).

In addition, the tests take into account further rating criteria used by insurers such as the recommended retail price of the vehicle, repair time, cost of parts and vehicle performance.

The NVSA was created by Thatcham in collaboration with the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the Automobile Association (AA) and the British Transport Ministry.

Collectively since 1998, over 5000 vehicles in 11 categories have been examined by Thatcham thus covering nearly all vehicles available in Great Britain.

In this latest round of testing, as well as the Touareg’s first place, other Volkswagen vehicles also placed in the top three in their respective categories – Golf (second in the compact category); Phaeton V6 and W12 (second in the luxury category); Caravelle/Multivan (second in the large MPV category); Touran (third in the compact MPV category).

According to Volkswagen Group Australia’s Managing Director, Mr Peter Nochar, the Thatcham testing provides a significant incentive for Touareg customers.