The new Race Touareg 2, with which Volkswagen will compete in the 2006 Dakar Rally, will be unveiled to the public in Germany at the world’s largest exhibition for sports cars and tuning specialists, the Essen Motor Show from 25th November – 4th December, 2005.

When compared to its well-proven predecessor, the suspension, engine power and visibility of the Race Touareg 2 have been improved. In October at the Rally Portalegre, Portugal the newly developed Touareg completed its successful competition debut by claiming second and third places.

Volkswagen enters five examples of the rally prototype with TDI diesel power, producing almost 275 hp, in the African desert classic, which runs from 31st December to 15th January from Lisbon (Portugal) over a distance of almost 9,500 kilometres to Dakar (Senegal). The five driver-duos will be in Essen to give interviews and sign autographs: In addition to Bruno Saby and Michel Périn, the 2005 FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup title winners, the Dakar winner Jutta Kleinschmidt and her co-driver Fabrizia Pons (Germany/Italy), the former World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz together with Andreas Schulz (Spain/Germany), and the cross country rally specialist Giniel de Villiers and Tina Thörner (South Africa/Sweden) and Mark Miller and Dirk von Zitzewitz (USA/Germany) will attend.

In addition to the main project ‘cross country rallying', Volkswagen's talent search programme also takes centre stage in Essen: On Saturday, 26th November, the complete ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup 2006 starting grid will be presented. The one-make touring car cup is aimed at international ‘stars of tomorrow' who are given the opportunity to compete in professional racing for reasonable costs. The technically identical Race-Polos, powered by a 150 hp, 2.0 litre FSI four-cylinder engine, are prepared by a single specialist company and are swapped between drivers from race to race to ensure performance parity.

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23rd November, 2005
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7th November, 2005
The Volkswagen California has been synonymous with freedom and leisure since the late fifties. Many other car manufacturers have tried to copy the original, but none have succeeded in capturing the true essence of the ‘VW Bus’, nor its derivative, the all inclusive, kitchen sink as standard, Volkswagen Camper ..... more

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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is presenting a new concept in leisure travel - the Weekender Package ..... more

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4th November, 2005
Volkswagen of America Inc. has hosted its first display in the 42-year history of the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) annual exhibition ..... more

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Volkswagen has now increased the tow ball down weight of the Touareg from 140 kilogrammes to 350 kilogrammes ..... more

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28th October, 2005
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4MOTION For New Volkswagen Passat
27th October, 2005
The new generation Passat can now be ordered with permanent 4MOTION four-wheel drive in Europe ..... more

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New Volkswagen Polo
21st October, 2005
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Volkswagen Wins Grand Challenge 2005
20th October, 2005
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The New Volkswagen Caddy Life
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11th October, 2005
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Grand Challenge 2005 in the USA
26th September, 2005
The countdown has begun for what is perhaps the world’s most unusual car race ..... more

Volkswagen Touareg For 2006 Dakar Rally
21st September, 2005
Two stories here regarding Volkswagen's plans for the 2006 Dakar Rally which commences on New Years Eve in Portugal ..... more