A few years ago I acquired "Red", a 2006 V6 Touareg. I was looking at a few other vehicles at the time, but the Touareg felt best for my needs.... I needed a solid road cruiser for my many business trips; a vehicle that I could entertain clients; yet ready to go to the trail. It was a base model with the standard steel suspension (sport-tuned), full-time high/low 4x4, and locking center diff. With great memories this 2006 Touareg has taken me to the shelf roads of the San Juans; the slickrock of Moab; the deserts of Anzo-Borrego; the talus of Big Bear; the high meadows of Bishop, and my backyard in Las Vegas.
Yet time was short - on a 3-year lease I knew I wanted to upgrade from my base model to one with all the offroad toys. In June of 2009, I purchased "Gray". a new 2009 VR6 Touareg with the 4-corner Air Suspension, Nav/Sat, Hitch, and Leather package. I couldnt get it all - the second optional rear-diff was order-only - but I do intend to retrofit one over the winter of 2010. These first pictures of "Gray" are very new, with only my 32" set of road tires. The antennas, 32" BFG's, and other radio toys are yet to come; the Surco basket (later "Red" shots) will likely not return as I opt for a more recessed custom rooftop mount; and the spare hitch-mounted on the back or left inside.
"Red" will be in Lease Return by end of August. But before I do return, I was able to take both up the trail recently with the help of a couple friends.
Both of my Touaregs up on 7700' Wheeler Pass, a climb between Indian Springs and Pahrump NV.
I drove "Red" and Touareg-vet Matt drove "Gray". We were up there to take new Touareg owner Ron on his first offroad trip.
The debut of "Gray" with just 200 miles on it . Photos from the trailhead of Potato Ridge in the Red Rock Park area of Vegas.
The Air Suspension is up, allowing 13.5" of clearance. Shown with road tires; soon to have the BFG's.
Dash
A view from inside. The Color MFD in Offroad Mode, showing Low-Range, Tiptronic Gear 2, the angle of the front wheels (23 degrees), the air-lift left (Offroad, with Xtra the highest) and the status of both differentials (currently off). Observers may notice the TPMS fault - which I have since reprogrammed.
The Air Suspension also drops down to "Load" mode. Excellent for civil moments, or just smashing snow.
Oddly, there are some Touareg owners who fit 22" wheels and permanently program them this low. Big Offroader Sigh.
"Red" from Big Bear last summer.
The full Baker-to-Vegas Ham Radio configuration. Our group supports 4 LASD teams, including 2008-2009 champs MCJ.
"Red" in a happy moment during a snow storm in Las Vegas.
Last year on our last day in the San Juans, a bunch of us traveled up to Buffalo Boy (12,000').
Next,the action shots.
In six years I may get the pink slip as well (I hope to do that in five) 