IT'S around 60 years since a famous German marriage produced a baby that sold more than 21 million cars worldwide.
Then, back in the late 1930s, a certain Ferdinand Porsche oversaw the birth of the first People's Car, the VW Beetle.
Now a similar collaboration has produced the first big 4x4 in both the VW and Porsche stable. The Touareg shares the same chassis as the Porsche Cayenne and many other qualities associated with that luxury brand.
But the Touareg is much cheaper and far more accessible. In my opinion it is also better looking than its illustrious partner, with a subtle muscular look, nicely set off by huge alloys, tasteful chrome trim and classy light clusters.
The test model features the new three-litre 225bhp V6 diesel engine, the latest in the long line of high pressure diesels from Volkswagen that offer economy and efficiency with excellent performance.
It is also extremely quiet and with the aid of clever soundproofing is barely audible in the cabin.
Performance is complemented by a slick shifting six-speed automatic gearbox that also has a sport function for extra power.
The Touareg also features VW's 4MOTION permanent four wheel drive that senses adverse conditions and compensates accordingly.
The Touareg is also versatile, offering full five seat capacity for adults and 60/40 split rear folding seats. The boot stowage area isn't huge, but fold the seats down and you have masses of carrying capacity. For extra convenience and in common with many 4x4 the split rear gate allows access through the rear window.
It's a bit of struggle for the vertically challenged to climb into the cabin, but once inside head and legroom is impressive.
As you would expect with VW, the build quality is robust and of the highest quality with all dials and instrumentation clearly visible.
Controls are also logical and easy to use, but I question the position of the ignition key to the left of the steering wheel. This became a hindrance on more than one occasion.
It's not cheap, but you do get plenty for your money even with the 2.5-litre diesel "entry level" offering available at just over £30,000.
Standard gear includes impressive safety equipment featuring front side and curtain airbags, anti-skid brakes and traction control and other braking aids.
Electric features include windows, heated door mirrors, dual zone climate control, multifunction steering wheel and cruise control. A superb sound system sets all of this off quite nicely.
This model weighs in at a hefty £35,000, but additional goodies including satellite navigation, heated washer and rain sensing wipers and heated leather seats take the total to a whopping £40,000.
But this big VW is not just about looks, if offers genuine off-road capability without sacrificing the attributes that would see it just as popular at the school gates or on the company car park.
I drove it when it was launched in 2003 on a very demanding off-road circuit. Its four-wheel drive and technical wizardry meant it tackled every challenge with ease.
That off-road experience meant there was little time to put it through its paces on the road - something that was put right this time.
I covered nearly 500 miles in just four days and the Touareg proved just as accomplished on the tarmac as in the forest.
A pleasant surprise is economy. This is a very heavy motor, but I managed that distance on a full tank and although the onboard computer was showing around 26.5mpg, it seems a lot better.
It gobbles the miles up in quiet comfort on the motorway and handles country lanes with equal aplomb.
There is one car firm that urges potential buyers to forget the badge and think of the value for money. The Touareg is a great car, but the higher end of the range puts it into the same league as its Porsche buddy.
Ironically, for a high quality manufactuter like VW, the badge, rather than quality of the car could come into play. Nevertheless the Touareg arrived with a bang and looks like it is here to stay.
FAST FACTS
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI
Price: £34,840
Mechanical: 225bhp, 2,967cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving all four wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 125mph
0-62mph: 9.9 secs
Combined mpg: 25.9
Insurance group: 16
CO2 emissions: 294g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust