:: Colorado Touareg 4×4 Rally ::

Registration for the 2008 Colorado Touareg 4×4 Rally is now CLOSED.

A few years ago, we had the unique opportunity to not only get to drive the race modified Touareg V10 TDI, but get to drive it for about two weeks and for over a thousand road and trail miles. Here is a video clip that I took driving around my neighborhood while trying to perfect a new on-car video mount, the StickyPod. At the last minute, I wired in a under hood mic (lapel mic) near the injection pump to capture more engine sound and less wind noise. The results were great! See for yourself:I hope that VW can come thru for us and deliver a new V6 TDI  for a week of testing for this years rally. In todays vehicle market, VW’s diesel technology is key to their survival. The faster they can get more diesel vehicles to market, the better.

If you’d like to join us for the 2008 Colorado Touareg 4×4 Rally, please fill out and send us your registration form. See the following link for the form: 2008 Registration Form. We hope to see you there!

Come out and join us in Moab May 18-May 20.

Several regular Touareg offroaders are gathering for an extended weekend May 18-May 20 to challenge the famous slickrock trails in legendary Moab Utah. We expect to catch arrival dinner May 17. Surreal landscape and near full moon conditions encourage us to take a dark run on Sunday or Monday night.

Moab is a prime outdoor playground located along the Colorado River 30 miles south of Interstate 70 in eastern Utah. Nestled between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, Moab offers a wide range of outdoor activities including bicycling, river rafting, and offroad. Some of the most infamous offroad trails and obstacles are locating in the Moab area; it is the site of the weeklong Jeep Easter Jamboree. Slickrock, essentially petrofied sand-dunes and named for its effect on wagon wheels, offers extreme traction when dry, allowing your vehicle to make climbs not possible in other conditions.

Our proposed trail list includes “Fins and Things”, “Hells Revenge”, “Tower Arch”, and other trails the group will select daily. You may invite friends with other offroad vehicles including Jeeps, FJ’s, Land Rovers, 4Runners, and Hummers. Its a great chance to compare notes and show off the Touareg.

The Moab trails we are challenging are intermediate to advanced on the offroad rating spectrum. Uphill and downhill slopes of 30 to 40 degrees, with slopes up to 60 degrees will happen and happen early. Prior offroad experience and comfort in offroad settings is highly encouraged. Adventurers should have a properly outfitted vehicle with full-size spare. High clearance is preferred. If you have run the Colorado Ouray Rally, you should be ready to elevate your skills to the challenge.

You should be prepared for possible damage to your vehicle. In a gathering last October, both steel suspension Touaregs suffered mild rocker panel dents and scuffs; dings to undercarriage supports and suspension; and brush pinstripes. Far worse damage is possible and as an offroader, you should already know the inherent risks you take upon yourself journeying through rugged mountainous terrain.

We’re prepared to have a blast!! Looking forward to having you out on the trails with us!

A video from last October can be found on YouTube.

October 2007 Touareg Group

Some other great YouTube Videos include

YouTube: Hell’s Gate in-car FJ

YouTube: TouaregAdventure

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2Volkswagen calls it the TOUAREG2 and sure it has a fancy new schnoz…and quite a bit of electronic gadgetry updates among some other more subtle changes, but why the name change? While VW probably won’t admit this publicly, I’m guessing VW wants to ditch the sting of the original TOUAREG launch and tell the world this one is better. It is!So, the good news or the bad news first? I’ll start with the bad news and on the grand scheme of things, it’s not terrible. There is no heated steering wheel option, so for those of you in cold weather country, you’re going to need to wear gloves when it gets nippy out. There’s also no Nappa Leather option, which is too bad, because that creamy soft leather feels incredible!Now on to the good news! The T-2 (as we affectionately call it) is better. While there has been much discussion about the chrome and brushed finishes on the grille, the facelift works, giving the T-2 a stronger look, a tougher stance and just an all around better presence.Joan Rivers would have been wise to contact VW’s plastic surgeon!The plastic grilles in the front bumper is made out of stronger/tougher plastic, which may not sound like a big deal, but I’ve talked with several T-1 owners who have had rocks and other debris shoot through the grilles on there vehicles just a little too easily and considering the hardware VW has in there, better protection makes for better driving.On the inside of the T-2 is where you will see the biggest changes. VW has made the display in the instrument panel larger and used colors that are easier to read at glance. The T-2 VW sent to us for evaluation was loaded with just about every option you can get.It’s the clearest picture I could getWe got the bigger, more colorful MFD (as it is now called: Multi-Function Display). There is still a monochrome red MFD for vehicles that are not air suspension or NAV equipped.The speedometer has these cool little red lights at the numbers that light up when you hi the cruise control and set your speed. The one thing I noticed about our test vehicle is the cruise control would increase your speed in increments of 5mph unlike the T-1 that would do it in 1mph increases.In the overhead console, VW switched from the black and blue display to a red and black electronic setup that is much, much easier to read. You get the time, you get the date and your direction that is snap to glance.There are also changes to the A/C control panel. You can actually push an AC button, making it a bit easier for those owners who don’t actually know the vehicle comes with an instruction manual.The T-2 also has new outside mirrors that actually give you a bigger viewing area. This is another one of those subtle, but practical improvements that you really wouldn’t think about until you hop behind the wheel and realize you can see more area behind you.The NAV system is basically the same as the previous version DVD with one rather nice exception, the unit comes with integrated satellite radio, which came in very handy when we were taking the thing off road at 13,000 feet elevation miles from anything remotely considered civilization. It as nice to stop for lunch and have tunes rocking the day away.VW also changed how the seats were stitched together, using different materials rather than all leather and leatherette. The sides of the seats are now covered in nylon/neoprene feeling material, which I actually think is an improvement, especially in back. There is no leather surface that can get messed up with putting the seats down in back, because the new material is what brushes up against other surfaces. This should keep the leather looking spiffy much longer.Power is nicely improved, but it comes at a bit of a price. Half-way through the 2007 model year, the V8FSI engine was phased into production, boosting horsepower to 350… which isn’t half bad. The engine is butter smooth and the delivery is right on the money. But… and it’s a small but, the engine seems to have lost some of its soul. The previous V8 had a deeper, “throatier” sound. The roar out of the exhaust sounded much more bad ass in the T-1! I’m sure the aftermarket will have a good time fixing this issue.There are a number of electronic changes, one of which is the ABS-plus system that is supposed to make braking off-road and in loose gravel situations much better. How is it? Awesome!The T-2 is incredibly intuitive off-road when it comes to stopping. The engineering behind this system is impressive, which is why I’m making such a big deal about it. Off-road and even on gravel roads, when you pound on the brakes, the T-2 grabs the earth like it has claws.It is noticeably different from the T-1. Don’t get me wrong, the T-1 ABS system is still rock solid, the T-2 is just that much better.We had the T-2 for just over a week and put it to the test in the mountains of southwest Colorado as part of our annual Touareg off-road rally.Our tester came with 19-inch tires which we were a bit hesitant about and for good reason. The week was going just fine, then on day four as we cruised through a water crossing the “hissing” sound nobody wants to hear happened.We sliced a sidewall! A 45-series tire is not for off-roading and if you plan to do any of that with the 19 inch tires that come with the T-2 (V8 & V10TDI) you’d better be prepared to spend “jack” time with your ride.I know the majority of owners won’t tackle anything more than the speed bumps at the grocery store, but for those who do take on bigger challenges, get yourself a better set of wheels.Our week of mountain climbing, mud holing, water crossing and dirt eating was made even better by doing it in a Touareg. You get a lot of looks and stares from people who just can’t believe a Volkswagen is doing what we do.There are some Jeep owners who also didn’t have problems making obnoxious and rude comments, but they usually do it covered in freezing rain, hail and dirt, while we are sitting in climate controlled, seat heated comfort. We did lose the passenger side orange reflector going through one water crossing — things happen! Overall, the Touareg2 continues to be a stellar vehicle! It’s one of the few vehicles that can spend a day in the mountains in the rough and take you home on the highway at autobahn speeds in comfort and style. Frankly, there is no other vehicle on the road (for the price) that gives you such a complete package.Volkswagen has proven they can take a great vehicle and make it better with the T-2. And the good news continues as VW is bringing the V6 diesel powered Touareg to the United States with plans to have it at dealerships in the first quarter of 2009.Get ready to see this badge around this time next year.

Thanks to kind folks over at ClubTouareg.com, we now have an official home for all Colorado Touareg 4×4 Rally discussion and planning.(http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f75/)[Colorado Touareg 4×4 Rally Discussion at ClubTouareg.com]

Yep, it’s that time of year again. Well, maybe a little early, considering many of our favorite trails are sitting in below snow depths as much as 200 inches!!! Still, we are in the planning stages for the 2008 event in Ouray, and several members of our group are busy trying to plan other owners meets in areas outside of Colorado.

Stay tuned to TouaregRally.com for an announcement regarding our offical Ouray 2008 dates!

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TouaregRally.com would like to welcome Arkarch to the editing group. Arkarch first joined our rally group in 2007 as a relative newbie to the offroad world. He has since conquered his fears, and continues to explore new trails and hair raising experiences in locals such as Moab, UT.

Welcome Arkarch!

The Rally’s last day began with the Alpine Loop trail a short distance south of Ouray.   Our group was first and departed Ouray about 7:45 AM.   The first section of the Alpine Loop is very rocky with ledges to climb.   Great care was exercised to make sure no undercarriage damage occurred, especially to the steel suspended Touaregs.   A geocache is hidden at the very first curve of the Loop, and our group stopped to find this cache.  After a short search, the cache was found to the delight of the group.   An entry was made in the cache log for the Rally, and the group headed up the difficult trail.   A pretty waterfall is supposed to be close to the Poughkeepsie Gulch intersection, but as a short search did not find the falls, we headed on up the trail.  We will find them next year.  A couple of ledges required spotting, but the group proceeded to arrive at the San Juan Chief Mill at Mineral Point.   After much exploring, our group headed out the back side of the mill and climbed to a high point and waited for Group 2 to join us for a quick lunch. 

With inclement weather threatening again, both groups re-joined the Loop trail and began the climb to Engineer Pass.   Over the years, road crews have almost made this trail into a highway, but the steep climb is still exhilarating and fun for all.   We crested the pass and turned out to Oh Point for that awe inspiring view of the mountains and valleys.  On the descent back toward Animas Forks, we were besieged by a violent thunderstorm with heavy rain and hail.   We all felt sorry for the other folks in open jeeps, ATV’s, and on motorcycle’s but we did enjoy being warm and dry in our Touaregs.   While at a rest stop in Animas Forks, most of the group decided to ascend Eureka Gulch to the Sunnyside Mine and Lake Emma, so we headed off in that direction.   After a long climb through the clouds and with it getting late in the day, we descended to Silverton and “highwayed” back to Ouray.  A rock slide had occurred on the southern slope of Red Mountain Pass and half the highway was closed.   This delayed the group just a little, but all made it back to Ouray.

That evening, we all met again to share leftovers from earlier gatherings, share the good memories, and bid each other farewell until the next rally.  This year’s Rally was imminently successful even though afternoon weather had hampered some of our trails.  Perhaps the greatest achievement was the number of new folks who now had good experience in mountain 4 wheeling.   Without a doubt, the best part of the Rally was the renewing of old friendships and the beginning of a lot of new friendships.  We hope to see all again at the 2008 Colorado Touareg Rally. 

Taking off fom Yankee Boy Basin, Imogene Pass is absolutely one of our favorite trails in the area.   We led Group 2 departing Ouray about 8:30 AM.  The trail begins with a river fording which offers great splashing fun which most of the group had done when we were rained off the trails on Tuesday.  It then traveses a forested, rocky ledge to a point above the Camp Bird mine, then begins the long climb to 13,100 foot Imogene Pass.   Most of the trail is relatively easy, but the last three climbs are really fun and can be tough.  The new members of the Rally have now gained significant experience and handle the class 4 trail with ease and careful excitement.   Everyone’s confidence in their Touareg’s abilities has grown immensely.  Even at the early hour of the day, the skies are very threatening at the mountain tops, so the group bypassed a geocache near the trail so as to make the summit before any inclement weather might hit.

This loop trail is extremely popular beginning from either Ouray or Telluride so traffic and close passing is expected.   All went well until we encountered a tour bus driver who I think actually expected 7 of us to back DOWN the trail about a quarter of a mile so he could pass.   Ultimately, he found enough room an a narrow curve for us to make a “mirrors-in” pass.   All’s well that ends well.  After completing the major climbs, the group turned left and proceeded out to a point overlooking the entire eastern slope which was awe inspiring.  Then, the pass was easily topped and the descent into Telluride began.

We caught up with the first group and enjoyed lunch at the Tom Boy mine complex about half way down the western slope.   The remaining trail is very narrow and long.  We again split into our two groups and left ample space between vehicles to allow pull out points to meet uphill traffic.   After meeting at the bottom of the trail in Telluride, we all took a break for ice cream and a quick look at Telluride.   Most of the group then assembled and headed off for the Ophir Pass return to Ouray.  Having taken this easy road many times, two of us decided to take the switchbacks up to Bridal Veil falls on the Black Bear trail and then highway back to Ouray by the north route.   Unfortunately, the gate was closed at the top of Bridal Veil, so after enjoying the view from that vantage point, we descended, gassed up, and headed home.    A high point of that drive occurred near the Dallas Divide when we saw a large black bear grazing a meadow close to the highway.   Traffic was so heavy that no one even stopped for a picture.

That evening, the entire group met again at Casa de Fernando for Italian, frosty brew, and more good times.