This is a time of anticipation and excitement for Volkwagen dealers, and for good reason.

The company is introducing several interesting new models; this time it will be the Tiguan, a cute, well-made, small sport utility vehicle that will compete with the Toyota RAV4s and Honda CR-Vs of the world. More on the Tiguan in our next buyers guide.

The other new model is the Volkswagen Routan, a large, roomy minivan based on Chrysler's Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. But the interior says "Volkswagen" -- that's a good thing given the company's reputation for beauty, durability and creativity -- while the exterior does have some flavorings of the Chrysler and Dodge twins.

There was an early 2008 model that came last year: The 2008 Volkswagen Touareg.

For 2008, the front end has been completely redesigned, with V-6 models sharing a chrome grille and V-8 and V-10 models using a matte chrome design. Around the back, a new roof spoiler has been installed, and the brake light housings have been modified. there's a new, softer set of colors, too.

Power comes from a 3.6-liter, 280-horsepower V-6 that is rated at 14 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway; a 4.2-liter, 350-horsepower V-8 rated at 12/17; and a 310-horsepower, 5.0-liter twin turbo V-10 rated at 15/20, depending on the model. Prices start at $39,320 for the V-6, $48,320 for the V-8 and $68,320 for the V-10.

When it comes to off-roading, the Touareg has a set of easy-to-use dials; you simply set the system up to match the terrain, and off you go. Thanks to features such as standard hill descent control and hill hold control, the Touareg is perfectly capable of creeping down a steep hill -- with your foot off the brake, you can climb across rocks without a scratch, go through a considerably deep body of water and perform any number of other feats with nary a whimper.

The brakes on the new Touareg are particularly responsive and rather interesting from a technological standpoint. This year, the Touareg2 has ESP dry braking, which means that the brakes are capable, through a complex system, of getting rid of any water film that could cause problems in wet conditions, and the "ABSPlus" system gets rid of loose road surface material from inside the wheels.

Inside, the Touareg continues the tradition of Volkswagen being at the top of the game in interior design. Highly polished wood, chrome and aluminum pieces abound, all tolerances are very tight, and everything operates with a sense of precision and smoothness.