2015 Volkswagen Touareg unveiled prior to Beijing motor show debut

Volkswagen has given the second-generation Touareg an update, and it's bringing the refreshed SUV to the Beijing motor show next week.

The Touareg has been a solid global success for Volkswagen with over 720,000 units sold, despite all the ink expended discussing its pricing (especially compared to the rest of the automaker's range), and the company has spent quite a bit of time and money updating the Touareg for the 2015 model year.

So what's new inside and out?

For starters, the Touareg has received revised front and rear fascias. Its crisper styling seems to be spreading across the entire VW model lineup. The upper and lower parts of the grille are a bit more noticeable now thanks to more light-reflective materials, and the crossover/SUV now features bi-xenon headlights as standard equipment on all trim levels. Volkswagen is likening the redesigned grille to that of the Scirocco, pointing out that the lower section now resembles the letter "A" rather than the letter "V," which it credits to creating the appearance of a wider stance.

In terms of exterior updates, Volkswagen will offer five new exterior colors for a total of 12, in addition to two new wheel designs. New colors for 2015 are light silver metallic, sand gold metallic, moonlight blue metallic, black oak brown metallic, and reef blue metallic, while 18-inch 10-spoke wheels called "Arica

and 20-inch five-spoke "Masafi" wheels joining the lineup. 21-inch wheels will be available as well.

Volkswagen has also made a few changes to the interior, though most of them concern newly available tech. The Touareg received a new center stack layout, while the navigation system has received points-of-interest search via Google and an integrated Google Earth and Street View mapping service complete with online traffic information. For the interior, one additional Vienna leather color, bonanza brown, will be available. The R-Line model will receive stainless steel inlays, napa leather, and optional black rooflining and piano black finish, in addition to R-Line badges. Also new for 2015 is white illumination for instruments, a somewhat subtle change.

The Touareg's lineup of engines is rather region-specific. Buyers in North America will have a choice of a V6 FSI with 280-hp on tap, a hybrid model with 380-hp, and a V6 TDI with 239-hp. In terms of drivetrain technology, Volkswagen has added a disconnect feature which uncouples the engine from the drivetrain while coasting downhill (if you live in part of the world with hills), in addition to regenerative braking and a stop/start system. In terms of tech, standard across all trim levels for 2015 is the automatic post-collision braking system, as well as low rolling resistance tires.

The 2015 Touareg will go on sale this summer, with pricing to be announced closer to its commercial debut.

By Jay Ramey