The (Ford) Tuareg in front of the (VW) Touareg
02/24/2018
Volkswagen launched the Touareg large SUV on the market in 2002. Were they aware that there had already been a car called the Tuareg 24 years earlier, which also came from Ford ?
Yes, it was at the Geneva Motor Showin 1978 when Ford, together with Ghia, presented the Fiesta Tuareg, the forerunner of modern SUVs. Built on the unchanged basis of a Ford Fiesta and equipped with a 1.1-liter engine, it was above all a visually grim-looking car whose large wheels and additional headlights suggested off-road capability.
At least the Tuareg would have offered more space and would have looked good. But it was not to be, despite some interest, the Fiesta Tuareg remained a styling study, the name was probably not protected and so the way remained open for Volkswagen to present a Touareg (with an additional "o" in the name), which, however, could hardly compete with the smaller Ford Ghia original in terms of charm.
