Latest news with #Touareg
Man of Many
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Man of Many
‘Mini Touareg': 2026 Volkswagen Tayron 7-Seater Revealed for Australia
By Ben McKimm - News Published: 8 June 2025 |Last Updated: 5 June 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 4 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. New 7-seater Tayron slots below the Touareg and above the Tiguan Available with three engine options and three trim levels Range-topping 195TSI R-Line develops 195kW of power Volkswagen finally has a car to compete with the segment-leading Hyundai Santa Fe. Meet the new Tayron 7-seater SUV, which is essentially a Tiguan with a stretched wheelbase designed to replace the previous generation Tiguan Allspace. However, compared to the Allspace, there is crucially a lot more space in the Tayron and a plethora of new technology aside from some pretty aggressive styling on the exterior as well. Billed as the 'Mini Touareg', the Tayron will come with a 5-seater 110TSI Life entry-level variant with a 110kW/250Nm turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine along with a FWD configuration. Meanwhile, up the range are the 150TSI Life, Elegance and the 195TSI R-Line trims, which come with a punchier 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 150kW for the Elegance trim and 195kW/400Nm for the flagship R-Line. Importantly, every model in the line-up comes with the Volkswagen staple 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, helping the R-Line iteration of the Tayron accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. We want to note that the Tayron is longer than the Allspace by about 58 mm, with an overall length of 4792 mm, putting it right up there next to the Touareg (4,902 mm) in terms of length. With the 3rd row folded, luggage space has also increased by 150 litres to 850 litres. Meanwhile, compared to the Tiguan, the Tayron is longer by 250 mm and has a stretched wheelbase by 110 mm. 2026 Volkswagen Tayron | Image: VW Looking at the different variants of the Tayron, we'll start with the 110TSI Life trim that has the smallest powertrain with 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque in a front-wheel drive configuration. However, standard equipment does include 18-inch 'Bologna' alloy wheels, keyless access with alarm, power tailgate, Area View 360-degree camera, Digital Cockpit Pro (widescreen driver display), 12.9-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, wireless App-Connect, wireless smartphone charging and DAB+ digital radio. Safety-wise, you get Travel Assist (with adaptive cruise control and Lane Assist for semi-autonomous and stop-and-go driving), Front Assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring and Side Assist with rear traffic alert are also standard along with side exit warning, front cross-traffic assist, oncoming vehicle braking when turning with swerve support, Park Assist Plus (with semi-autonomous steering and throttle/braking to park), 9 airbags (including centre) and Dynamic Road Sign Assist. Step up to the 150TSI Life and you gain a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is also available with the Life trim, with 885 litres of luggage capacity thanks to a 5-seater layout. Towing performance is rated at 2,500kg braked. 2026 Volkswagen Tayron | Image: VW If you want a 7-seater layout, you'll want to check out the 150TSI Elegance, which adds in features like 19-inch 'Catania' alloy wheels, leather-appointed seat upholstery, front 'ergoActive' seats with power adjustment, heating, ventilation, memory, and massage, heated outer second row seats, heated steering wheel, LED Plus headlights with illuminated grille strip, LED tail-lights with illuminated centre strip, chrome roof rails and trim, and rear privacy glass. Options for the Elegance trim include the Sound & Vision package, where you get a head-up display, Harman Kardon premium audio, 15-inch Discover Pro Max navigation, HD Matrix LED headlights, Dynamic Light Assist and dynamic indicators at the rear. 2026 Volkswagen Tayron | Image: VW Last but not least, the sportier R-Line trim has the most power and visually too gets a more purposeful look courtesy 20-inch 'Leeds' alloy wheels, R-Line interior and exterior styling, progressive steering, 15.0-inch Discover Pro Max navigation, head-up display, Harman Kardon premium audio, HD Matrix LED headlights, Dynamic Light Assist, and dynamic indicators at the rear. Options for the R-Line include a Black Style package, which adds 20-inch 'York' alloy wheels, gloss black exterior mirrors, roof rails, roof design strip and R-Line front bumper, and interior design elements with a black/dark anodised finish. Both the 150TSI Elegance and 195TSI R-Line can also be specced with a panoramic sunroof. To be launched in September, the Tayron would be available in six colours: Pure White, Oyster Silver Metallic, Dolphin Grey Metallic, Night Shade Blue Metallic, Grenadilla Black Metallic, and Ultra Violet Premium Metallic. Pricing for the Tayron will be revealed closer to launch, but expect it to sit above the Tiguan, which starts from $44,990 plus on-road costs, and below the Touareg, which starts from $86,790 plus on-roads for the base 170TDI model.
CNN
14-05-2025
- CNN
This extraordinary desert country has long been difficult for tourists to visit. That's all changing
'Labès?' ('OK?') asks Baba Atanof as a tourist struggles to get her leg over a large rock on a steep ascent in the Algerian Sahara Desert. Fighting jelly legs and vertigo, she can barely answer. This desert makes up 83% of Africa's largest country. It's the focus of a government master plan for tourism development by 2030 that aims to make Algeria a major tourist destination after decades of self-reliance post-French colonialism, which ended in 1962. Atanof takes the woman's camera bag — he's already carrying her small backpack. With nothing weighing her down, plus a push upwards, she becomes sure-footed again. Meanwhile, 20 donkeys carry extensive camping gear and supplies for a dozen people without faltering. There are four tourists and eight staff, including guides, cooks and shepherds. In worn-out sneakers, a chèche (head-and-face scarf for Touareg men) and daraa (long, loose gown), topped with his own backpack and a large solar power bank, Atanof stabilizes the tourist. The 57-year-old father ('baba' in Arabic) of seven has made this challenging climb many times as a guide for 30 years. As a Touareg — a person of Berber origin, traditionally a nomadic pastoralist, who principally lives in the Sahara Desert — he can navigate the challenging, vast terrain. Atanof works for Touareg Voyages, an accredited travel agency that facilitates visas for international visitors to the Algerian desert. In January 2023, the government introduced a visa-on-arrival program for all non-exempt foreign tourists traveling to the Sahara — essentially everyone except citizens of Mahgreb countries (five neighboring states), Malaysia and Seychelles. That December saw the launch of an Air Algerie flight between Paris and the oasis town of Djanet. Once challenging to obtain, visas of up to 30 days are now practically guaranteed and visitors pay the relevant fees ($38 to $376, depending on length of stay) upon arrival. Tourism is increasing significantly as a result. In 2023, Algeria had an all-time record of nearly 3.3 million tourists, including almost 2.2 million foreigners — a year-on-year increase of 44% and 65% respectively, according to the Algerian Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts. The government wants to increase the number of international visitors to 12 million by 2030, according to Reuters. It's produced a roadmap that includes a Tourism Development Master Plan 2030 aimed at enhancing the quality of tourism services and infrastructure and significantly increasing investment and hotel capacity. There are reportedly also plans to strengthen connections with various European capitals, particularly for visiting the desert. Atanof leads the tourists to the top of Tassili n'Ajjer National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with giant, sandstone 'sculptures' by Mother Nature — 'forests of rock' eroded over seven million years. Located near Djanet in the southeast of the country, the nearly 50,000-square-mile park is like a moonscape on a high plateau at altitudes of 4,600 to 6,600 feet. Among these rock formations are an estimated 15,000 prehistoric paintings and engravings dating from 10,000-750 BCE. Atanof is one of the few people who knows where they are. The Algerian Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts reckons this might be the world's largest open-air museum — a place where concave rock bases were 'canvases' for paintings made of natural pigments like red and yellow ocher. They depict humans in everyday life and ceremonies such as hunting and dancing, as well as animals, including cattle, giraffes and camels, represented over five stylistic and chronological periods. Those are Kel Essuf (over 9,875 years old, the oldest form of engraved anthropomorphic rock art in the area), Round Head (7,575-4,575 years ago), Bovidian (6,575-4,575 years ago, depicting cattle and herdsmen), Caballine (3,575-2,075 years ago, known for its representations of horses) and Cameline (from 750 BCE, famous for its depictions of camels). In the abundant rock sculptures, the visitors see all kinds of objects. Atanof jumps on a rock shaped like a gymnastic vault and pretends to ride a motorcycle, beckoning someone to jump on the back. Later he points out black fossils estimated to be a million years old on shards of red rock, and shows how colored stones can be pulverized into pigments. 'Make-up,' he jokes, streaking some on the tourists' cheeks. The quest to see this prehistoric art involves an extraordinary adventure: a trek of about 75 miles across the craggy plateau where there is nothing but nature. In other words, it's a week without a shower, toilet, electricity, phone reception (though the guides carry a satellite phone for emergencies), Wi-Fi, media and most 21st-century comforts. These tourists think of it as a 'desert spa,' they say, with daily exercise, healthy food, no alcohol, pure air, serenity and plenty of sleep. They aptly don custom T-shirts with the phrase: 'It's all about the journey.' 'The people who live in the desert have good health,' notes their other guide Sidi Baika, who grew up in a tent as a Touareg but now lives in a house in a desert town, working as a meteorological engineer at a global atmospheric watch station. 'The life of nomads is very simple and healthy — better than the town,' he says. On this trip 'I am returning to my primitive life … It's a very beautiful feeling.' Wholesome meals are prepared by a professional cook with the help of a gas stovetop in a cardboard box. There are campfires and, at night, flashlights and headlamps. Fresh breads are even baked with hot coals. Every lunch and dinner ends with three cups of tea per person: the first 'hard like life,' the second 'sweet like love' and the third 'light like death,' as the Touaregs say. A dedicated tea-maker ceremoniously mixes green tea with powdered sugar, pouring it back and forth from the teapot to a metal cylinder until it's well blended and frothy (the froth makes it easy to remove any wayward sand). 'No tea, big problem,' says Baika, who explains that teatime is for storytelling — part of the Touareg oral culture. 'Tea is very important in the desert. News is spread from person to person over tea around a fire,' he says. Baika shares several stories, including about 'jinn' (Arabic for 'genies'), invisible spirits believed to do bad or good. The tourists move close to the fire to try to keep warm — it's February, and winter desert temperatures drop from an average of 60 F (15.5 C) by day to freezing at night. They pull wool blankets over themselves as he opens an offline stargazing app on his phone to show constellations in the clear starscape. Touaregs traditionally use the stars and sun to navigate, and time to measure on the hours of walking, Baika estimates they've gotten as close as 30 miles from the Libyan border on this trip. Security and operations along this border are being augmented by new customs agreements between Algeria and Libya. The Algerian government has also made recent efforts to secure borders with other neighbors: Tunisia, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco and Western Sahara territory. These are among several actions that have positioned Algeria — which now views tourism as an imperative for sustainable development — to slowly open up to the world. 'In the desert, you have more time… with yourself, with your mind,' Baika says. 'In one week, you can review all of your life.' The Touaregs on the journey have an inherent sense of peace. They are never annoyed or stressed and speak softly, philosophically and humorously. The visitors are completely unplugged in another world. There is not a car, building or sign of modern civilization in sight except for the brief passing of a few other tourists. Tassili n'Ajjer has spiritual and cultural significance for Touaregs. It contains endangered Saharan cypress trees that are more than 4,000 years old, says Baika, as well as medicinal plants and other organic materials used to treat a variety of ailments. (Who knew that steam from dried camel poop helps a cold?!) Sefar, a stunning part of Tassili that the group visits, even means 'medicine' in the Touareg language Tamahaq. To the visitors' surprise, there is a virtual pharmacy in plants, plus a few freshwater ponds and even rain one night in the dry winter. 'It's a myth that the desert has no water,' Baika says. 'If that were the case, nothing could live here. But it only rains a total of five days a year.' The Algerian Sahara is also home to several animals like the desert fox, wild sheep, jackal and gazelle. Their footprints prove it. But the group only sees donkeys and birds, whose sounds are amplified by the otherwise silent terrain. Every sunrise, the tourists hear the donkeys slowly return to the campsite from overnight in a pasture as well as the beautiful singing of Muslim prayers by the Touaregs. They become acutely aware of sounds: the sides of tents flapping in the wind, popping of steaming vegetables, crackling of fires and the whistling of air running through holes in their aluminum walking sticks. They also become attuned to silence and the power of non-verbal communication. 'If you look for peace and want to take rest for your mind, from your stress, you go to the desert,' Baika says. 'It's a really magical place. Every time you travel there, you discover something new.' That's true throughout Algeria, which has remnants from several civilizations over the centuries from Neolithic, Numidian (Berber) and Roman to Arab, Ottoman and French. Its northern coastal strip, the Tell, includes the port capital Algiers, Mediterranean beaches, vineyards, mountains — and abundant Roman ruins, including the UNESCO-listed archeological sites Djémila, Timgad and Tipasa, which have spectacularly well preserved ancient Roman cities. South of the Tell lies the Saharan Atlas mountain range and oases. The rest of the country is the Sahara Desert with lunar and volcanic landscapes, stony plains and ergs ('fields' of sand dunes). After descending a steep gorge leaving Tassili, monster trucks drive the tourists to the sand 'sea' of Erg Admer, where they walk upon golden dunes of epic proportions. Three sandstone inselbergs (isolated mountains) rise high on flat sand — one has prehistoric etchings of cows. The various shades of chèches in the group and Baika's bright blue daraa contrast against the beige rocks and sand. The visitors see each other on top of dunes — mere dots among infinite grains of sand rippled by wind — and realize how small they are in the magnificence of streaks of sunlight diffuse over the ethereal landscape, from the top of the highest dune at least 300 feet up, one says, 'Salam alaikum' ('peace be upon you' in Arabic). Beyond its majestic sights, the desert's magic comes from living simply and simply being. In fact, it is all about the journey.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
REVIEW: Volkswagen Touareg R-Line is brilliant, but destined to struggle at the price point
The Touareg R-Line has a punchy TDI engine, cushy air suspension and luxurious cabin. Image: Jason Woosey A genuine contender in the luxury SUV space, the Volkswagen Touareg has been around for 23 years, and is now in its third generation. In the latter half of 2024, Volkswagen SA introduced the facelifted version of this third-gen model, first released internationally in 2018, and it brings a more luxurious and tech-savvy cabin. But with pricing pegged at R1,491,300 for the Elegance variant and R1,799,200 for the flagship R-Line that we recently had on test, it is somewhat expensive, going toe-to-toe with a glut of premium-brand SUVs. For what it's worth, you can pick up a new BMW X5 3.0D M-Sport for R1,828,000 or a Mercedes GLE 300d AMG Line for R1,931,800, while the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne models, which the VW shares its platform with, start at R1,958,000 and R2,049,000 respectively. Granted, the VeeDub undercuts its main rivals then, but not by a huge margin. The facelifted model doesn't look too different from its predecessor at first glance, but it has gained a number of model-specific design changes at the front end, highlighted by snazzy new high-definition Matrix LED headlights, featuring interactive LEDs that can mask the area facing oncoming traffic. Round back it gains new LED taillight clusters with dynamic turn signals, and the lights are now connected by a horizontal strip. Interior and functionality Inside there's a new dual-screen cockpit as well as improved materials and a 30-colour ambient lighting system with adjustable colour settings across three zones. The new trims and materials complement an already classy interior that can hold its own among most of its luxurious rivals, while the high-definition screens, featuring modern and crisp graphics, lend a more modern and high-tech feel. The redesigned cockpit boasts large dual screens. Image: Supplied On the downside, this 'clean' new design has eliminated most of the physical controls on the dashboard and functions like the climate control must now be operated via the screen. That being said, there are permanent shortcuts to the climate functions and overall the central screen is fairly user-friendly. The haptic touch-slider controls on the steering wheel do feel a tad finicky, though. Volkswagen has also improved the voice control system and the USB-C ports now have a charging capacity of 45 watts. Standard equipment includes electrically adjustable leather seats, but you will have to pay extra for niceties like the Travel Assist Package, which adds semi-automated driving capability, as well as the Area View Camera and Night Vision system. The Touareg is a large vehicle, with an overall length of 4,878mm and a 2,904mm wheelbase. This is enough to ensure spacious seating for five occupants as well as a huge boot, which boasts a capacity of 810 litres. What's it like to drive the new Touareg? As before, power comes from the Volkswagen Group's silky-smooth 3.0-litre TDI turbodiesel motor, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. With 190kW and 600Nm on command, it provides punchy, effortless performance that's unlikely to leave many owners wanting more. But most impressive is the fuel economy. Volkswagen claims a combined average of 7.8 litres per 100km but our car's long-term trip computer showed an average of 7.5 l/100km over 2,000km. However, my week-long test drive saw a figure of 9.9 l/100km as much of the driving was on urban routes, but that is still commendable under the circumstances. The Touareg boasts a clean design, but fails to stand out in the segment. Image: Jason Woosey With a 90 litre fuel tank, including reserve, the Touareg boasts a theoretical range of over 1,100km between refuels. Out on the road, the well-insulated Touareg is really quiet, and the air suspension system, which is standard on the R-Line, dishes up a cushy ride quality despite the fitment of 21-inch alloy wheels. The latter are an option, with 20' rims featuring as standard. The Touareg R-Line also comes with rear-wheel steering, which assists with low-speed manoeuvring as well as high-speed handling, but all round it's more of a comfortable than sporty drive. Like its BMW X5 rival, there is no low-range gearing for off-road excursions, but with 4Motion all-wheel drive and a ground clearance of 215mm, the Touareg is perfectly fine for milder off-road excursions. VERDICT The Volkswagen Touareg is brilliant in almost every respect, from its luxurious interior to its refined road manners and gutsy but economical diesel engine. But with a mainstream badge on its bonnet and a price that pitches it close to a glut of premium SUV products, the underrated Touareg is likely to remain a relatively rare sight on our roads. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL
The Independent
09-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Volkswagen Tayron review: The popular family SUV goes hybrid, but loses two seats
Pop over to the Volkswagen website and you'll count nine new SUVs available right now. In theory, there should be something for every type of SUV buyer, with a couple of fully electric models (the ID 4 and ID 5) and three coming with plug-in hybrid options (the Tiguan, Tayron and Touareg). The Tayron (pronounced 'tie–ron') is the newest of the lot, slotting between Tiguan and Touareg and replacing the old seven-seat Tiguan Allspace model. And yes, there are seven seats in the Tayron, but not in the plug-in hybrid model we're testing here. The PHEV system's battery sits under the boot floor, where the sixth and seventh seats would usually be. So unless you want more room in the back seats and a huge boot that offers 705 litres, rather than the Tiguan's 490 litres, we'd stick with the smaller, cheaper and equally appealing car. However, if you're swayed by all that space then the Tayron gives you exactly what you'd expect from a Volkswagen SUV: smart looks, excellent quality, a comfortable drive and decent kit levels. The problem for both the Tayron and Tiguan are its many east Asian competitors that, while lacking the sophistication of the Volkswagen cars in terms of drive and quality, offer space and kit in abundance for much less cash. How we tested We drove the Volkswagen Tayron in the south of France on a route that took in everything from tight and twisty mountain roads to fast autoroutes and quaint towns, riding in the front and back, and checking out the space in the boot, too. Independent rating: 7/10 Battery, range, charging, performance and drive There are two versions of the Tayron plug-in hybrid, both with a 1.5-litre petrol engine plus a 19.7kWh battery connected to an electric motor. Combined power for the two are either 201bhp or 268bhp. We drove the lower-powered version, which is predictably silent and reasonably swift in fully electric mode. For most people most of the time, that's all you'll need – especially with the decent range of well over 70 miles on a full charge. If you do put your foot down, the petrol engine is surprisingly vocal under acceleration, but eventually calms itself down. Maximum charging speeds for the battery are 11kW on an AC charger and a reasonable 50kW on a fast charger, although with a plug-in hybrid you're more likely to fill up with fuel away from home on a longer journey than fill up with electricity. The Tayron is a comfortable car to drive, although it does feel big at 4,770mm – 231mm longer than the Tiguan. It looks bigger, too. That extra length does it no favours, while from the driver's seat, the high bonnet makes you feel like you're in a big SUV. It's an easy car to control though, and doesn't wallow around when you go through corners, with nicely reactive steering. The ride is pretty comfortable thanks to the adaptive dampers the car comes with, and ride comfort tends to be one area where many cheaper rivals fall down. Visibility is good, even through the rear window which seems a long way away. There are myriad cameras to help manoeuvring, too. Interior, practicality and boot space Inside the Tayron it's typical Volkswagen fair: not especially adventurous, but beautifully built and easy to use. There's a bit of sparkly back-lit patterning in front of the passenger and on the doors, the obligatory ambient lighting and – following criticism about the brand's touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel – a return to real buttons where your thumbs sit on the wheel. Volkswagen describes the Tayron's cabin as a 'wellness interior'. It features acoustic glass to keep it quiet inside, a full-length panoramic sunroof on some models and the availability of 'ergoActive-Plus' seats with heating, fancy massaging and approval from German back specialists. The big story – and we mean big – is the space in the back. Legroom is huge, and rear passengers' wellness hasn't been forgotten with sun blinds, heated seats and a clever storage system that pops out of the fold-down centre armrest. The boot door opens wide to reveal a huge 705 litres of storage with a flat floor when the rear seats are folded to increase space to 2,090 litres. Technology, stereo and infotainment Volkswagen hasn't had the best reputation for in-car tech recently. The Tayron soldiers on with a touchscreen system that the brand has done its best to improve with new software. That means that the usability is now acceptable, while the touch-sensitive temperature and volume adjustment sliders that sit directly underneath are, at least, now lit. You're still likely to inadvertently adjust the heating or sound level if you rest your thumb there, though. There is voice control to help overcome those problems, with ChatGPT integrated into it, while VW's digital driver display has always been one of the best. A crisp head-up display is also available as well as twin wireless smartphone chargers and a reasonable Harman Kardon audio system. As chrome is out of fashion these days, Volkswagen illuminates its front and rear badges – which might be a bit too glitzy for some tastes – while there are also HD Matrix headlights. Being family focused, you'll be pleased to know that there's a full suite of advanced safety and driver assistance features, plus the car will even park itself via the Volkswagen app. Price and running costs When you look at the prices some of the new Asian car makers are charging for their plug-in hybrid SUVs, the Tayron looks expensive – as it does against the slightly smaller Tiguan. If you need the space, you'll struggle to find more than you will in a Tayron. But it's a shame you can't get seven seats in the plug-in hybrid version, which would really give it a unique positioning. The electric-only range is impressive and better than the claims from most rivals, which could usefully slash your running costs. The claim of nearly a 600 mile total EV and petrol range is slightly fanciful however. Volkswagen Tayron rivals Volkswagen Tiguan Jaecoo 7 BYD Seal U DM-I FAQs How long does it take to charge? The Tayron can fast-charge it's 19.7kWh battery at up to 50 kW, with a full charge taking well under 30 minutes. How much does it cost – is it worth it? The Tayron is expensive when you look at rivals from the far east, but it has more space than rivals and better quality, too. Does Volkswagen replace batteries for free? Volkswagens come with a standard three-year manufacturer warranty. The verdict: Volkswagen Tayron Volkswagen's SUV range is about as crowded as it gets, and the Tayron might just be one model too many. Without the seven seats of the petrol and diesel models – the PHEV battery has to go somewhere – I'm struggling to see the point over the cheaper and still nicely spacious Tiguan PHEV.
Campaign ME
06-03-2025
- Automotive
- Campaign ME
Volkswagen sparks meaningful conversations with ‘Reflections En Route'
This Ramadan, Volkswagen Middle East has teamed up with radio personality Big Hass for another edition of its Reflections En Route series. The four-part series features candid conversations with regional content creators, including Nadir Nahdi, Mohammed Ali and Ibrahim Akkaoui, Fadie Musallet and Maha Jafaar, to explore topics that shape contemporary experiences and perspectives. The series, filmed in the desert just after Maghrib, with a backdrop of the Volkswagen fleet consisting of the Touareg, Tiguan, T-Roc, and Teramont, explored topics that shape the realities of the region, from cultural identity and social media to mental well-being and the power of giving back. 'At Volkswagen Middle East, we believe in creating meaningful connections with our audiences beyond the road. This year's Ramadan podcast series builds on the foundation we laid with Reflections En Route, continuing important conversations that resonate across the region,' said Virginie Ludmer, Marketing Director Volkswagen Middle East. View this post on Instagram A post shared by VolkswagenME (@volkswagenme) By creating a platform for open and honest dialogue, Volkswagen Middle East's Ramadan campaign hopes to reinforce the brand's commitment to fostering meaningful connections with the community. Topics covered across the series include the struggle of keeping tradition in modern times, the importance of Zakat and volunteerism, the complexities of social media and digital burnout and the pressures of rapid technological advancements, societal expectations, and climate change along with offering practical ways to navigate uncertainty and embrace hope. 'By bringing together influential voices to discuss real and relevant topics, we aim to spark dialogue, foster cultural understanding, and highlight the shared experiences that bring us closer as a community,' said Ludmer. The campaign is being rolled out across Volkswagen Middle East's social channels, with short-from clips of the conversations on Instagram and long-form videos on YouTube. The campaign has gained more than one million views across platforms.
