One of a Kind VW Touareg Cabrio Off-road Build on 35”s
It’s no secret that Touaregs have some impressive off-road capabilities, especially the early models. Thanks to their advanced all-wheel-drive system and available rear locking differentials, first-generation Touaregs earned a solid number of fans among the off-road enthusiasts. When properly modified, these German SUVs can go head-to-head even with body-on-frame trucks and off-road-dedicated SUVs like the 4Runner on some of the most challenging trails.
The owner of the Touareg we’re talking about today has fully unleashed its potential with massive off-road tires and upgraded suspension, but there’s one dramatic difference that set’s it apart from the crowd – it has no roof! That’s right, the star of our today’s feature is none other than a lifted Volkswagen Touareg cabriolet, with its top chopped off to deliver that open-air driving experience only reserved for Broncos and Wranglers. Read on to find out more about this build!
Key Mods:
- Roof Chop
- Suspension Lift
- 35″ Tires
Owner’s Insight
What year is the Touareg? And why did you decide to make a Cabriolet out if it?
– It’s a 2005 V8 Touareg. First I used it with the lift kit and the 35” for almost 2 years. One day I walked past it, took a good look, and thought to myself, it would look great as a convertible… I started imagining it and ended up erasing the roof in a photo, then in a 3D drawing. Everything seemed right. So I made a fiberglass mold of the roof, and one week later, it was a convertible. The only one of its kind in the world.
Do you have some kind of a soft top to cover it in case of rain?
– Not yet the soft top, wanna make a roll bar and the soft top for this summer
By the way, did you reinforce the chassis (underbody) somehow?
– No need to reinforce. Just B pilar.
The Build
Suspension
The backbone upgrade in the suspension department is the Eurowise 3-inch lift kit, giving this aged premium SUV the ground clearance needed for serious performance off the road. What I like most about this mod is how it keeps the factory articulation characteristics while significantly improving its approach and departure angles.
The kit works seamlessly with the factory air suspension system, allowing for improved wheel travel. At the same time – there is no compromise in the electronic stability controls. While not as radical as some custom long-travel upgrades seen on dedicated off-road SUVs, it gives everything you need to have some good old-fashioned fun in the dunes and on the trails.
Wheels
The 35-inch tire size is probably the biggest you can go with on the Touareg/Cayenne platform. Mounting them presentes a bit of a challenge, but for sure it provides a pretty impressive improvement in terms of traction and ground clearance.
In my opinion, the aggressive tire profile perfectly complements the open-top aesthetics at the same time delivering the bite needed to drive on everything from mud pits to desert dunes.
Exterior
The most striking exterior mod is undoubtedly the chopped roof that transforms the rig into a true cabriolet and sets it apart from other off-road builds. Significantly lower fender surgery was necessary to accommodate the massive 35-inch tires, giving the vehicle an even more aggressive stance.
What I appreciate about this exterior mods is the owner’s foresight – the creation of a fiberglass blueprint before the cutoff enables future installation of a custom top in case of need.
Interior
The interior modifications focus on practicality rather than aesthetics, with the relocated rear heater pipes being the primary adaptation to accommodate the roof removal. This seemingly minor change required careful planning to keep the interior comfort and ensure proper operation of the cooling/heating system.
List of Mods:
Suspension
- Eurowise 3 inch lift kit
Wheels
- 35 inch tires
Exterior
- Roof is chopped
- Had to cut lower (fenders) to fit the wheels
Interior
- Moved rear heater pipes
Conclusion
Pini’s Touareg cabriolet earns an impressive 45 points on our Off-road Capability Rating system, combining the advanced All-Wheel-Drive with locking rear differential, low-range gearing, and the substantial 3-inch lift with 35-inch tires.
Many car guys remember the iconic open-top Broncos, Blazers, and first-generation 4Runners, yet only few would dare to recreate that experience by removing the roof from a modern crossover. The owner of this Touareg was brave enough to transform a capable but often overlooked platform into something truly exceptional, capturing the essence of classic open-air 4x4s!
Watch the progress and find out more about this lifted VW Touareg build by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @pinisgarage
Stay tuned for more project reviews on Offroadium.com – Follow us on social media, and share this write-up if you enjoyed reading it!
