On the road with the Touareg R eHybrid Norway, sustainability and an addition to the family!

Off to Norway – to discover one of the most idyllic roads in this world in the Touareg R eHybrid! A special car adventure, of which presenter Thore Schölermann and his pregnant wife Jana (actress) will always have very fond memories. Cruising through the spectacular scenery along the world-famous, 8,274-metre “Atlantic Road” (between Molde and Kristiansund) is a real highlight: the road crosses eight bridges, which lead over several islands and skerries, and has even provided the backdrop for the new James Bond film “No Time To Die”.

In an interview, the Volkswagen ambassadors discuss their perfect driving experience.

You travelled along one of the most beautiful routes in the world, on the Atlantic Road in Norway. How did that feel?

Thore: “Fantastic. With the Touareg eHybrid, it feels like you are gliding above the Atlantic.

On this dream road, driving almost fades into the background a little, as you also want to look to your left and right. You almost feel like you are in a car advert.”

Jana: “We drove as slowly as possible, in order to soak up this magnificent scenery. You are grateful that this planet still has such idyllic places.”

Jana: “When you drive through this wonderful landscape, you become aware that you have to do something to preserve this nature. For our children and grandchildren, so that they too can experience it.”

You are pregnant. Has that made sustainability more important to you?

Will you be changing car when the baby arrives?

Jana: “The nice thing is: when the baby is there, everything in our life will change – except the car. We already have one and it is perfect.”

Thore: “The Touareg R is big enough, fun to drive and, above all, is safe. The subject of safety is now very, very high up the list of priorities. And we could not do any better than with a Touareg in that regard.”

Have you already got a child’s seat?

Thore: “They say that driving is a particularly effective way to get children to sleep. With this in mind, we are well equipped, including base, buggy, etc.”

Do you drive more cautiously or slower with children on board?

Thore: “Absolutely! You are now responsible for another passenger. And you feel that as you drive.”

Why did you decide on a hybrid?

Jana: “We think a lot about our mobility, which is why we consciously opted for a hybrid.”

Thore: “We are the perfect ‘hybrid’ users. We do a lot of long-distance driving, as well as over short distances.”

Jana: “On an everyday basis, we drive in fully-electric mode. We charge the car in our own garage, using solar power. As such, we drive with green electricity and no emissions on short routes. On longer journeys, or if we want to tow a trailer when we go on holiday, the hybrid is the best solution for us.”

How does driving a hybrid feel?

Thore: “It changes the kind of mobility. It heightens your awareness of consumption. It also makes you consider what journey are necessary and how you should drive. A hybrid changes this awareness dramatically. That is very interesting. Many are still sceptical about electromobility. However, when you drive a hybrid you notice how easy electrical mobility already is: there are already charging stations in many hotels, while charging stations are located in the best places to park in cities … You can already travel very easily with an electric car. However, hybrid possibly dispels the fear of switching to fully-electric in the near future. And, to a certain degree, you are helping to expand the whole thing – the charging infrastructure, etc. Everyone was sceptical about smartphones at first. People who now say: ‘E-mobility has no future’ – let’s speak to them again in a few years.”

Jana: “Unfortunately, there are still many prejudices. We have experienced that among our friends: ‘It is all complicated with an electric car, you can only charge it with an app …’ So much has changed in that regard, particularly in the last year and a half. For example, you can usually pay by credit card. It has become really easy to drive electrically.”

Thore: “And another important point is that e-mobility in no way means that driving is less fun, or no fun at all. On the contrary: for me, it has made driving more interesting. Particularly with my Touareg R Hybrid. The car has a system output of almost 500 PS, if I want. That is great fun. It means I can still enjoy putting my foot down.”

What is the most important thing about your car?

Thore: “In the past, power and horsepower were always the first thing I looked for in a car. Nowadays, a more conscious, sustainable and perhaps reserved car, which drives with its head, is the most important thing. Today, I am a ‘hybrid snob’ (laughs) and it is not about the most powerful engine, but about sustainability.”