Volkswagen Touareg makes short work of towing an aeroplane
The Volkswagen Touareg is an extremely powerful towing vehicle in its V10 TDI format
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When it comes to the ultimate towing vehicle often the larger 4 x 4 cars come to mind. |
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Monday, 24, Aug 2009 01:11
We at Caravan Times are always keeping an eye out for recommended towcars, and while chatting to Volkswagen's press department last week their PR helpfully reminded us of this stunt from a few years ago.
As an example of towing prowess it doesn't get much better than this. A Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI pulled a Boeing 747-200 weighing approximately 155 tonnes. The stunt took place at Dunsfold Aerodrome as the Touareg got through seven completed runs towing the passenger aeroplane.
The car itself was a standard production model fitted with a special adaptor to connect it with the aircraft towing link. 4. 3 tonnes of metal ballast was then added to the car along with driver and engineer to bring the total weight to seven tonnes.
As a winner of the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards (full-size 4 x 4 category) in 2004 and 2005 the Volkswagen's prowess at pulling trailers is well documented. What was not expected was that it would tug a jumbo jet with such ease.
Reaching speeds of an even 5mph test driver Uwe Krieghoff pressed the accelerator around halfway down in second gear before easing off. Once 150 metres was covered the driver eased back on the throttle before easing to a stop.
After repeated runs the vehicle was fully inspected with no side effects on the engine and transmission. Remarkably the engine temperature remained normal and the tyres showed no hint of the massive forces which passed through them.
Test driver Krieghoff quipped 'I was a bit disappointed we couldn't find something heavier to tow as it was a bit too easy! If anyone could lend us a heavier aircraft then please let us know'.
The Volkswagen Touareg V10 starts at £55,175 whilst the Touareg range starts at £30, 325 for the 2.5 litre turbodiesel. More information on the range can be found here.