Touareg 747 add? One for the plane spotters!

[Sequel]

In the add for the VW Touareg (and also in the background of the test circuit on Top Gear) is what looks to be a 747, but the instead of having 4 single engines, it has 2 pairs of engines.

Can anyone supply me with anymore information?

 

[Mal]

According to various Internet reports, it's a 747-200.

See for example:
VW Touareg Sucessfully Tows a Boeing 747

for some interesting background information.

Oh, and for those who havn't see the add:

YouTube - toureg tows boeing

 

[Sequel]

The original engines were removed last year to make way for dummy items used in the filming of a recent motion picture.

That explains the non-standard engine configuration.

 

[Mal]

That explains the non-standard engine configuration.

Bond. Casino Royale was the movie I believe.

 

[albatross710]

Would the weight of those missing four engines make it easier for that VW?

I'm thinking that the engines would be about 4 tonnes each and maybe 10% of the aircraft weight..no fuel, no fitout.

 

[tuapekastar]

I look at that ad think what's their point? What is the relevance? How often do you get the car out of the garage and think "oh, I'll just slip out to the airport and drag a jumbo jet a few metres?"

Sure, they're trying to demonstrate the car has POWER, but really...a 1955 VW beetle could probably drag the plane as well (and of course, someone has tested that out also...)

 

[dot]

The Touareg tows a Jumbo trick was originally done as a 'Top Gear' (the BBC TV Show) stunt - as they do... The plane wasn't labeled with a VW logo as it is in the ad, so I have to assume someone at VW saw the show and thought that would make a good ad. The original tow effort saw the Touareg loaded down over the rear wheels to give the car as much traction as possible.

If you look at the twin engine nacelles on the 747, you may notice at the rear they have a 'sawtooth' pattern like the 787 nacelles. As Mal pointed out - it was used as a prop for Casino Royale.

If you are interested, Top Gear is filed at the old RAF Dunsfold (East of LGW) - unfortunately, Google Maps doesn't have the 747 there yet, but here is a link if you are keen.

 

[Febs]

Sure, they're trying to demonstrate the car has POWER

Torque mate, not power.

 

[Flying Fox]

Would the weight of those missing four engines make it easier for that VW?

I'm thinking that the engines would be about 4 tonnes each and maybe 10% of the aircraft weight..no fuel, no fitout.

If I remember correctly they also state that the VW also has 4.5t of ballast so that would make it only 3 engines short now.

 

[tuapekastar]

Torque mate, not power.

Shows my level of knowledge about such things......and probably explains why the ad just does not do it for me!!

 

[markis10]

The Touareg tows a Jumbo trick was originally done as a 'Top Gear' (the BBC TV Show) stunt - as they do...
If you look at the twin engine nacelles on the 747, you may notice at the rear they have a 'sawtooth' pattern like the 787 nacelles. As Mal pointed out - it was used as a prop for Casino Royale.

If you are interested, Top Gear is filed at the old RAF Dunsfold (East of LGW) - unfortunately, Google Maps doesn't have the 747 there yet, but here is a link if you are keen.

The ad was filmed in 2006 and the Tourag was modified to look like the new models, more info here: Motor Authority » Touareg TDI tugs a Boeing 747

It was filmed at Dunsfold after VW did their ad, if you watch the segment you can see why they did it and the VW stickers on the plane as part of Top Gears segment as well, VW inspired Top Gear, not the other way around.

Fifth Gear: VW Touareg Boeing 747 pulling test. - AOL Video

VW have been towing heavy things with the Toureg for many years as an ad campaign, the 747 was one of the later ones!

 

[jamesatfish]

The Touareg tows a Jumbo trick was originally done as a 'Top Gear' (the BBC TV Show) stunt - as they do...

I don't remember it being on Top Gear, but it was certainly on rival show Fifth Gear. Indeed this exact Fifth Gear segment was actually shown as IFE on my MEL-BRI flight earlier this week - I thought it was strange they'd pulled out such an old segment but having seen the Touareg ads on the TV in the last few days I guess it makes sense.

 

[markis10]

I am getting my gears confused , good thing I am not driving!

 

[dot]

I am getting my gears confused , good thing I am not driving!

Me too!
But... in my defence, it was a while ago that I saw the show and RAF Dunsfold is there they film Top Gear (not Fifth Gear) - you can see it in the background of many of the car tests on Top Gear - so Fifth Gear were filming on Top Gear's home turf... thus the confusion.