Volkswagen has announced that it will axe the combustion engine version of one of its most popular vehicles as it moves towards an electric future.
The German manufacturer confirmed that it would cease production of the Touareg combustion engine model next year.
The Touareg was first introduced in 2002 in the premium segment alongside the Phaeton saloon, which was phased out in 2016.
Across three generations, VW sold more than 1.2 million units of the premium SUV, prompting the automaker to announce its future plans.
Commenting on the Touareg, VW said: "Despite its size, it has always exuded a timelessly understated design.
"Its interior has been stylish in every generation, with high quality standards and comfort, as well as many new technical features.
"These innovations have also made it the flagship in Volkswagen's portfolio up to the present day."
It highlighted how many of the features included in the Touareg were later made available in the small car segment.
Volkswagen announced that it would be ending production of the combustion engine Touareg
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The Touareg was also praised for its towing capacity, with VW breaking a world record with a bizarre stunt.
In 2006, a near-production Touareg V10 TDI towed a Boeing 747 plane weighing around 155 tonnes on an airport runway.
The Touareg managed to move the jet more than 150 metres before bringing it to a safe stopping point.
VW loaded the SUV with over four tonnes of additional weight to transfer the power to the ground so it could pull the giant object.
Drivers can order the VW Touareg Final Edition until the end of March
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Despite towing 155 tonnes, the Touareg was equipped with a standard engine, gearbox and air suspension.
To celebrate its legacy, Volkswagen will be launching the "Touareg Final Edition", which is available to order until the end of March 2026 for €75,025 or £65,256.
Any Final Edition models will be emblazoned with lettering laser-engraved on the window surround and embossed in the leather of the gear lever.
These vehicles will also feature the "Final Edition" label in the illuminated dash panel trim and sill panel mouldings.
In 2006, the Touareg V10 TDI comfortably towed a Boeing 747 to its take-off position
|VOLKSWAGEN
Volkswagen has pledged to release nine new electric models by 2027, including a production version of the ID.2all for less than €25,000 (£21,745), and another model set to cost around €20,000 (£17,396).
The Wolfsburg-based brand already sells several electric models in the UK, including the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7, ID.7 Tourer and the ID. Buzz van.
So far this year, Volkswagen is the best-selling marque in the UK by more than 40,000 sales, having registered almost 140,000 new vehicles.
This gives VW an impressive 8.92 per cent share of the market, and shows year-on-year growth of 9.5 per cent.