How well the Touareg R50 qualifies as a serious off-roader might be a good argument starter. Photo Gallery
If talking the torque puts you in top spot then Volkswagen's Touareg R50 is yapping like a taxi driver on speed.
The standard V10 turbodiesel, complete with diesel particulate filter, offers up 850Nm in a mountainous surge, backed by 258kW of power - increases of 100Nm and 28kW.
VW's high-performance version of the Touareg warps minds with such outputs, delivered thanks to turbo and engine management tweaks.
How well it qualifies as a serious off-roader might be a good argument starter.
It retains the low-range transfer case, height-adjustable suspension, electronically-lockable diffs and electronic traction, stability and hill descent and holding trickery of the Touareg range.
But the R50 rides on 21in alloy wheels with 295/35-profile tyres, for which it might be tough to get off-road rubber - there is an option for 19in wheels and 45-profile tyres.
The tyres do a helluva job putting all the grunt to ground on sealed surfaces, keeping electronics busy as its rears up getting away from standstill.
The torque surge doesn't abate either, with the 2.5-tonne VW belting past the 100km/h mark in a claimed 6.8 seconds.
Even on unsealed surfaces the drive-train gets the grunt, although the driver needs to keep a handle on things through dirt-road corners - the V10 can prompt attitude change at will.
The six-speed automatic and the big beefy brakes cope manfully with the outputs but the paddle shifters are nigh on useless - the transmission over-rides the driver's choices so what's the point.
Plus, with that amount of torque the transmission can be left in D or Sport mode and there's always a strong surge on offer without bothering the kickdown switch.
The paddles also get in the way of the indicator and wiper stalks.
The height-adjustable suspension has a good range within its three modes and provides half-decent body-roll control, but even the comfort mode lacks compliance feels a little wooden.
Something that has happened before in the VW off-roader reared its head again - the foot-operated park brake sticks on, requiring a double-flick of the release lever.
The features list includes power-adjustable front sport leather seats, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, front and rear parking radar, filtered quad-zone climate control and neat touches like clever driver-operated kid locks the door armrest.
The test car also had the optional 10 speaker Dynaudio premium sound system, sunroof, a rear camera and the satellite navigation system among its features.
But - and this is almost unforgivable on a $130,000 vehicle - there's no standard Bluetooth, it's on the accessory list.
Volkswagen Touareg R50
Price: from $129,990.
Engine: five-litre bi-turbo diesel V10
Transmission: six-speed automatic with paddle shifts, four-wheel drive
Power: 258kW @ 3500rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 2000rpm
Performance: 0-100km/h 6.8 seconds. Top speed 235km/h Fuel consumption: 12.6litres/100km, on test - 17.2l/100km, tank 100litres
