No Longer Who I Was

It has been 7 years since I wrote, "I Am Who I Am" for the Volkswagen Touareg (7P) on Opus Macchina.

Since then, I helped bring a local app brand from nothing to a multiple round investment success, my children have moved to 3 different schools, a pandemic turned the world upside down, only to be turned right side up by science and medicine, and lastly, we've moved homes. It honestly feels like a lifetime. With all that, there's something about the Touareg that doesn't feel like an expired carton of milk despite its age. Maybe it's some upgrades done by my friends at Silverstern and Concept One. For example, Hans and Ed of Silverstern hooked this Touareg up with wireless carplay and wireless android auto - what a huge difference that makes, versus the quite dated stock head unit with a tiny display that had it's own navigation, but no traffic info. I dunno about you guys, but directions without traffic info is a deal breaker for a daily driven car. Oh, and the roof rails - just perfect for strapping on some surfboards. Of course, no 4x4 with highway terrain tires will get anywhere on the soft sand of my neighborhood, so Sam of Concept One hooked the Touareg up with Nitto All Terrains!

The air suspension is definitely a head turner or conversation starter, but driving the Touareg off-road with dried deep back hoe tire tracks suddenly turns the party trick into much needed function. It also has a center diff lock that gets you out of emergencies, or simple stupidity - like not going down to check the ground before going for it. Experienced off-road drivers, time to shake your heads. Bow!

Reading my previous review of the Touareg made me realize that I have changed quite a bit. I am 7 years older, and so are my kids. We have moved beside the beach from the center of the business district. My life in general is slower. My needs are quite different. Yet, surprisingly, the Touareg still serves everything I want, plus more.

Today, I can imagine the Touareg taking us to our hike spots, or helping us carry all the refreshments, seats, and other creature comforts beside the beach. Once in a while, I am definite the Touareg would be able to help big and small vehicles stuck in the sand with ease coming from all the torque the 3 liter TDi engine has on tap. Best of all, I think the Touareg would be a great ally in getting lost around the country - a dream my family and I have always shared. So, from Opus Macchina to Get Lost…