FOR many people, you are what you drive - some choose to be anonymous while others head for the flash.

At the wheel of something modest and meek it is much easier to be polite, to give way and show maximum consideration for other road users.

In the likes of VW's leviathan off-roader you only do so when you choose to be magnanimous to the little people.

When you are this big people get out of your way. Every 50:50 narrow street scene becomes a 90:10 rout; it's just the law of the urban jungle.

The cause is helped little by the gargantuan engine under the wouldbe- king bodywork.

Top of the range comes in the form of the wonderful 5.0 litre V10 turbo diesel, possibly the most torquey engine on today's roads - until the launch of the Volkswagen Audi Group 6.0 V12 diesel, that is.

V10 whops out 313PS and an incredible 553lbs ft of torque at just 2,000rpm. That leads swiftly on to performance figures of 0- 62mph in 7.8 secs and a top speed of 140mph - astonishing for something this large.

It does it with a lusty willingness that is also a pleasure on the ear. No screaming buzziness here, just solid, heartthumping oomph'.

Drive like that, of course, and there is a penalty to be paid as each of the ten cylinders enjoys a hearty meal of fuel and consumption drops below 20mpg. Go easy and it heads back towards 30.

That sort of engine deserves a lavish interior to cosset the bones and flesh of discerning buyers and the Touareg doesn't disappoint.

Every toy imaginable lines the spacious and comfortable cabin; it's just plain plush, as you would and should expect of a vehicle with a £55K price tag.

But with power comes responsibility. Touareg could so easily be a bully of a car making all bow down before it.

But then, with abilities like these, it has nothing to prove really.