2013 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line V8 On Sale In Australia From March

UPDATE: Pricing confirmed, see bottom of article. 

Volkswagen's big Touareg SUV range will welcome a new flagship model in March, with the Australian introduction of the hotted-up R-Line V8 diesel. 

Entering above the existing 150TDI and V6 TDI models, the R-Line 4.2 litre V8 TDI continues the diesel-only theme while bringing more power and a more sporting look. 

Power in the new model is rated at a hefty 250kW and 800Nm, nearly matching the 258kW/850Nm V10 R50 model in the previous Touareg range. 

That deficit worries the R-Line little however, with its Porsche Cayenne-derived V8 pushing the SUV to 100km/h in a claimed 5.8 seconds - bettering the R50 by a full second.

Helping the big wagon get there is an eight-speed automatic transmission and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

Styling tweaks include 20-inch alloy wheels, sports-tuned suspension, and a bodykit that features front and rear aprons with a faux diffuser up back, side skirts, a roof spoiler and chromed exhaust tips.

Inside, the R-Line gets Nappa leather trim, Area View and Optical Parking systems, front and rear parking sensors, RNS850 satellite navigation package, and 12-speaer audio.