Volkswagen considers coupe-styled Touareg CC to rival BMW X6
A coupe-inspired variant of the Volkswagen Touareg is reportedly under discussion, targeting the same luxury SUV segment as the BMW X6 and upcoming rivals from Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
Volkswagen is weighing the development of a Touareg CC, a coupe-styled SUV intended to take on the BMW X6 and future rivals from Audi and Mercedes-Benz. German publication Auto Bild reported in August 2012 that the project was under active consideration, although Volkswagen had not made any official announcement at the time.
The proposed Touareg CC would join a growing segment of premium SUVs with coupe-like rooflines, a trend established by the BMW X6. At the time, Audi was reportedly planning its own Q6, and Mercedes-Benz was developing the MLC (which later launched as the GLE Coupe). Volkswagen’s entry would share the MLB platform with the standard Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7, allowing for cost efficiencies and shared technology.
Targeting premium SUV coupes
A Touareg CC would be positioned below its platform siblings from Audi and Porsche, aiming at buyers who want the coupe-SUV style without the higher price tags of the Q7 or Cayenne. The move would also broaden Volkswagen’s SUV range, which at the time included the conventional Touareg and the smaller Tiguan. The CC badge, previously used on the Passat CC, signals a more style-focused approach.
Specifications for the potential Touareg CC had not been detailed, but the standard second-generation Touareg offered a range of petrol and diesel engines, including V6 and V8 options. The CC variant would likely have drawn from the same engine lineup, with similar technology and features. For context, the regular Touareg measured 4,796mm long, 1,941mm wide and 1,709mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,893mm.
No official confirmation from Volkswagen
As of August 2012, Volkswagen had not confirmed the development of a Touareg CC or provided any official details. The Auto Bild report suggested a possible launch as a 2016 model year, but this remained speculative. No prototypes or test vehicles had been publicly seen, and Volkswagen’s public statements focused on existing Touareg models and updates.
The idea of a Touareg CC reflected the growing importance of style-driven SUVs in the premium market. Whether Volkswagen would ultimately approve the project depended on internal business cases and the response to rival models from Audi and Mercedes-Benz. For now, the Touareg CC remained an unconfirmed possibility within Volkswagen’s product planning.
Related models and platform sharing
The standard Touareg shared its platform with the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, as well as the Bentley Bentayga. This modular approach allowed Volkswagen Group to offer a range of luxury SUVs with different styling and positioning. For a look at the performance-oriented side of the Touareg range, see the2012 Volkswagen Touareg R.
