2004 Volkswagen Touareg W12 Sport

• The 2004 Volkswagen Touareg W12 Sport delivered 450 hp and 600 Nm of torque from a 6.0-liter W12 engine.

• Limited to just 500 units, making it one of VW’s rarest performance SUVs.

• 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, with all-wheel drive and air suspension for balance.

Big Power in a Big SUV

Let’s get to the heart of it: a 6.0-liter W12 engine. In an SUV. In 2004. The Volkswagen Touareg W12 Sport wasn’t playing by typical SUV rules. It put out 450 hp (331 kW) and 600 Nm of torque—most of it available at just over 3,000 rpm. Paired with a six-speed automatic and VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system, it could sprint to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds.

That’s fast even now. For the time? Ridiculous.

Top speed was electronically limited to 250 km/h, which honestly felt more like a technicality than a restriction. The Touareg W12 wasn’t built for Autobahn top-trumps—it was about presence, torque, and that dense, unmistakable W12 soundtrack.

Subtle, But You Know When You See It

The W12 Sport wasn’t wild-looking, and that’s part of why it worked. Volkswagen didn’t throw in ridiculous flares or chrome overload. It sat lower, wore wider 275-section tires on 20-inch wheels, and had dark-tinted glass with discreet chrome tips on the exhaust.

There were unique bumpers and a bit more muscle in the arches, but it all felt considered—not showy. It said “I’ve arrived,” not “look at me.”

Inside, brushed aluminum trim (“Engine Spin” finish), Alcantara seat inserts, and custom W12 door sills added some theatre without straying from VW’s signature restraint. It was sporty, sure, but not trying to be something it wasn’t.

Built to Drive, Not Just Sit Pretty

Yes, it had a Porsche-adjacent chassis. And yes, the W12 Sport used air suspension to keep things composed. On the road, it stayed flatter than you’d expect for something this big and heavy. It didn’t corner like a hatchback, but it stayed poised—especially in sport mode where the air ride hunkered down a bit.

Steering had weight to it. Feedback wasn’t razor-sharp, but you always felt in control. Even with that massive engine up front, the W12 never felt nose-heavy or awkward. It was quick, confident, and surprisingly refined.

A Rarity in the Segment

In 2004, not many SUVs flirted with true performance. BMW had the X5 4.6is, Porsche had just launched the Cayenne. But nothing else had a W12 shoehorned under the hood. With only 500 built, the Touareg W12 Sport quietly became one of the rarest fast SUVs of its era.

It wasn’t a luxury flex like a Range Rover. It wasn’t a track toy. It was its own thing—brute power and understated style, packaged with just enough polish.

Final Thoughts

The 2004 Volkswagen Touareg W12 Sport was weird. And great. And a little excessive. It’s the kind of vehicle that wouldn’t happen today—and maybe couldn’t. But back then, VW let its engineers loose, and the result was something special.

It didn’t shout. It moved. And that was enough.

Technical Specification

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Performance

• Engine Output: 450 hp (331 kW) @ 6,000 rpm

• Torque: 600 Nm (443 lb‑ft) @ 3,300 rpm

• Acceleration (0–100 km/h): 5.9 s

• Top Speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) 

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Body Measurements

• Length: 4,754 mm (187.2 in)

• Width: 1,928 mm (75.9 in)

• Height: ~1,726 mm (67.9 in)

• Wheelbase: 2,855 mm (112.4 in)

• Curb Weight: ~2,480 kg (5,467 lb) 

• Ground Clearance: ~300 mm (11.8 in) 

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Powertrain

• Engine: 6.0 L W12, 48‑valve, DOHC, natural aspiration

• Transmission: 6‑speed Tiptronic automatic

• Drivetrain: Permanent 4MOTION all‑wheel drive

• Suspension: Front and Rear air suspension 

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Capacities

• Fuel Tank: 100 L (26.4 gal)

• Cargo Volume: 500 L (rear seats up) to 1,525 L (seats folded)

• Towing Capacity: Up to 3,500 kg braked

• Fuel Consumption (Combined): ~15.7 L/100 km (≈15 US mpg) 

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Price

• Original MSRP (2004 Base Touareg): US $35,515 

• Estimated Price for W12 Sport (Europe): ~€100,000 (depending on options)

• Current Used Prices: Around US $28,400 (Canadian import example)

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