We had told you a number of times that the first Qatar International Motor Show is going to be a great event, and here’s the proof! So far we had a couple of concept cars, a new Lamborghini and now this, the road going version of the Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 unveiled at the show.

Now if you have no idea what a Race Touareg is, it’s the car that won Rally Dakar this year, last year and the year before that! Apparenlty Volkswagen has plans to launch a road going version of that race car and introduce the world’s most capable SUV.Of course it’s just a concept for the time being.

The road legal Race Touareg is powered by the 228 kW / 310 PS turbodiesel engine. And it’s not like they’ve done much to convert it into a soft SUV. It’s still a pretty rugged and tough off roader. The vehicle now being shown in Qatar is a version of the Race Touareg 3 – an SUV that can sprint to 100 km/h in less than six seconds – that is legally approved for use on public roadways.

They have of course modified the wide body of the race car and fitted it with 18-inch wheels from BBS with a gold look instead of the the standard 16-inch wheels. The “Race Touareg” signature – also in a golden colour – stretches the entire length of the vehicle’s sides. In turn, it is perfectly coordinated with the exterior paint in “Magic Morning,” a white that has a slight gold shimmer to it.

The interior is redesigned to become more civilized, but it’s still pretty stripped out. The safety cage remains unmodified but it’s equipped with Recaro racing bucket seats. Designers created an interior in so-called “Stealth look” that is reminiscent of the aircraft of the same name. In tribute to the Dakar Rally, the Dakar victories are etched in the anodised aluminium of the centre console, right next to the “Race Touareg” signature.

Other trim elements are treated in Matt Carbon. Tuned to this is the roll cage in “Serpentino Grey Metallic.” Interior designers have upholstered the seat side supports and the door trim panels with Nubuk leather in “Black” and “Pure Grey,” while the centre seat panels are made from perforated Nappa leather in “Titan Black.” Additional accents include the two-tone seams and silver piping on the seat covers and safety-related items painted in “Tornado Red.” The only other ingredient that is needed is some time to explore the world on a “360 degree route” in this uncompromising car.