Volkswagen has made waves with the announcement of its latest innovation - the mid-cycle refresh of its flagship SUV, the Touareg, which is set to hit Australian shores in the first quarter of 2024. This model not only boasts aesthetic upgrades but also introduces groundbreaking headlight technology, a first for the automaker.

The 2024 Touareg arrives with an impressive cosmetic makeover, with its fresh exterior design and avant-garde interior styling. On the inside, comfort has been taken up a notch with the addition of padded surfaces on either side of the centre console and double decorative seams on the upper sections of the interior door panels. The revamped SUV also comes with an array of wheel designs for 19-, 20- and 21-inch alloys, and additional enhancements like Volkswagen logo puddle lights.

The technology segment of the Touareg has seen significant improvements as well. Among the most noteworthy is the application of IQ.Light HD matrix LED headlights, featuring three separate modules with 19,216 micro LEDs in each headlight. This innovative technology is slated for expansion into other SUV-class Volkswagen models in the coming years. The new light system creates an "interactive light carpet" known as the Lane Light, illuminating the path ahead for easier navigation on dimly lit, narrow roads. Additional lighting updates include a full-width LED strip on the refreshed rear end and a light bar extending into the revised grille, which incorporates a Volkswagen logo in red illumination.

Under the hood, the Touareg lineup is set to continue with its current powertrain options, with the inclusion of the anticipated R eHybrid plug-in variant. The range encompasses a 250kW 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6, 170kW and 210kW 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6s, and the 280kW eHybrid and 340kW R eHybrid 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 plug-in hybrids.

Volkswagen has also significantly upgraded the infotainment system of the Touareg, now armed with lane-level navigation, high-definition map data, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Other interior enhancements include upgraded buttons and a thumb wheel for volume control finished in high-gloss black, and USB-C outlets with higher charging capacity.

Volkswagen aims to strike a balance between comfort and performance with the new Touareg, having fine-tuned the standard steel-sprung suspension and the available two-chamber air suspension. Additional safety features include a roof load sensor for improved handling and stability when a roof box is installed, and a Night Vision system that uses a thermal imaging camera to detect and mark potential hazards on the road.

With this mid-life upgrade, Volkswagen brings the Touareg into the future, blending style, comfort, and technology in one robust package. Australian auto enthusiasts will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of this refreshed flagship SUV in early 2024, with pricing and additional details to be released closer to the lau