IN TODAY'S motoring world, "firsts" are becoming something of a rarity, but manufacturers have not lost their ability to surprise.
Back in the spring the new MINI made many people sit up and take notice by going diesel, while Mazda is getting ready to go back to the future with the re-introduction of its legendary rotary engine technology in the RX-8, which appears in the nation's showrooms next month.
And Volkswagen has brought us not one but two firsts - its first ever luxury car, the Phaeton, has set out to compete with the big boys and its first off roader, the Touareg, is attempting to become King of the Hill in the prestige four by four sector.
Billed as one of the most sophisticated vehicles in a segment already blessed with high-powered sophisticates like the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, BMW X5 and the Range Rover, the Touareg joins the Phaeton in the showrooms to provide the German carmaker in a double-pronged assault on the luxury class.
Touareg comes with a quartet of engine options, two petrol in the 3.2-litre V6 and the 4.2-litre V8, plus a brace of diesels, a 2.5-litre TDI and a hugely powerful five-litre V10 TDI.
My recent test was in the 3.2-litre V6-powered version. This 217bhp power source has its roots in the unit which propels the seriously powerful VW Golf R32.
Perhaps in some people's eyes, this six-cylinder unit won't feel to have transferred its full powers across to the Touareg, but here we have a much larger vehicle, the roadway raison d'etre of which is cruising rather than bruising.
In addition, my test car was tooled up with automatic transmission and, while this six-pack did do its work with extremely smooth-changing precision, deep down, my heart yearned for the optional manual gearchange and the driving freedom it inspires.
However, this Touareg did also provide the tiptronic clutchless gearchange system which proved the next best thing to true manual control, allowing you to effect swift changes when overtaking acceleration is called for.
This operation is actuated via the automatic shift lever or stalks on the multi-function steering wheel, but, the latter system will add a further £1,495 to your bill and does make the already well stacked tiller with its standard cruise control, sound system options switches and computer controls, look and feel ultra busy.
But whichever way you use this autobox it combines with the V8 engine in super smooth fashion to cover the 0-62mph dash in under 10 seconds, en route to a maximum of 128mph. Where legally allowable, of course.
In between, the 3.2-litre V6 Touareg confirms its qualities as a highly impressive motorway cruiser, eating up the miles in progressively comfortable fashion.
The Touareg stands high, wide and handsome on the tarmac. Its roomy cabin provides a comfortable place to be for passengers large and small, along with all their bits and pieces in numerous compartments and hidey holes.
The luggage bay, too, is hugely accommodating. The squared-off area suffers no intrusion from wheel arches, while a user-friendly load height, a cover to keep your goods and chatels away from prying eyes, and split tailgate all add to the bootroom facilities.
However, the lack of grab handles to assist entering and leaving the Touareg may prove a problem for some. I wasn't completely at home with the Mercedes-style parking brake, although I did applaud the Benz-esque door mirror indicators.
From the high, command driving position all-round visibility is good and while parking this sizeable vehicle doesn't prove problematical, if in doubt, £410 will buy you the optional parking distance sensors.
While the ride is firmish but forgiving, progress is surprisingly grippy and the handling sharp through bends, while Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), Electronic Traction Control and ABS braking with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) are all on hand to assist the unwise and the unwary.
VW Touareg's off-road credentials come out of the off-roading top drawer with permanent four-wheel drive, high and low ratio transfer box, Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), hill start and hill descent assist all on hand to come to the driver's aid when the tarmac runs out.
The bottom line is that the Touareg is heading into a luxury 4x4 segment where worldwide sales are currently on the up, which is precisely the direction that Volkswagen is intent on heading with this first venture into the sector.
FAST FACTS
VW Touareg 3.2 V6 auto
Price: £30,730
Mechanical: 220bhp, 3,189cc 24-valve V6 petrol engine driving all four wheels via 6-spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 122mph
0-62mph: 9.9secs
Combined mpg: 20.5
Insurance group: 16
CO2 emissions: 331g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint