Volkswagen Touareg Monochrome 2017 pricing and spec confirmed

Volkswagen Australia introduced its special-edition Touareg Monochrome this week, with the large SUV picking up a black-and-white colour scheme and boosted equipment levels, from $74,990 before on-road costs.

Based on the entry-level 150TDI variant, the Monochrome attracts a $6000 premium but blacks out its side mirror caps, lower front grille and roof rails.

The special also adds unique 'Monochrome' badging, dark-tinted LED tail-lights and 19-inch 'Moab' alloy wheels.

Inside, upgrades include two-tone black and 'Moonrock Grey' 'Vienna' leather trim, ventilated front seats, brushed aluminium and piano black dashboard inserts, and a 'Titanium Black' headliner.

Equipment levels further extend to adaptive cruise control, auto emergency braking, forward collision warning, proactive occupant protection, keyless entry and start, power tailgate, heated steering wheel, paddle shifters and tinted (65 per cent) rear windows.

Features already found in the 150TDI include bi-xenon headlights, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, power front seats, electric park brake, rain-sensing wipers and LED daytime running lights.

On the inside there is 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system.

Just three exterior paint colours are on offer with the Monochrome, including 'Pure White', metallic 'Canyon Grey' and pearlescent 'Deep Black'.

Due to its high specification levels, there are no options available for this new variant.

Powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel engine, the Monochrome produces 150kW of power at 4000rpm and 450Nm of torque from 1250rpm to 2750rpm.

These outputs are sent to the ground via an eight-speed automatic transmission and a '4Motion' all-wheel-drive system.

Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test is 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres for the 2154kg 150TDI, while its carbon dioxide emissions are rated at 190 grams per km, with the Monochrome expected to provide similar figures to these.

Touareg sales have taken a hit this year, with 1379 examples sold to the end of October, representing a 27.0 per cent decrease over the 1890 registrations made during the same period in 2016.

Thus, the Touareg is currently placed sixth in the large SUV over $70,000 segment, trailing the BMW X5 (3170), Range Rover Sport (2499), Audi Q7 (2286), Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (1982) and Lexus RX (1667).

Will the style-focused Monochrome keep the Volkswagen Touareg going until its next generation? Tell us what you think in the comments below.