New 3.0L V6 VW Touareg TDI set for L.A auto show

Diesels are quickly joining hybrids and plug-in electrics as the new show-car theme. The reasons are simple: efficiency, both in terms of fuel and finance, is driving carmakers and consumers to give diesel-fueled vehicles another chance. In keeping with this, the new Volkswagen Touareg TDI will feature a smaller V6 engine in addition to the meaty and expensive V10 TDI (pictured) already available.

The new 3.0L V6 is actually a common engine throughout VW's lineup, but its application in the U.S. Touareg is the new feature. Like its Audi cousin, the Q7 TDI, which uses the same basic engine in some configurations, the new unit turns out 240hp (179kW) and 406lb-ft (550Nm) of torque. That's good for 8.0-second 0-60mph runs and a top speed of 133mph in European versions. U.S. specs will likely be saved for the Los Angeles Auto Show launch in November.

All the hoopla about diesel engines in the U.S. is old hat for Europeans, where the oily fuel and the engines that burn it are commonplace. In fact, 80% of the Touareg's sales in its homeland come from the diesel version. Pricing for the States is not yet known, but expect it to start significantly below its €50,000 ($77,000) European price, since that's about the price of the V10 TDI Touareg in the U.S.