Before being restyled, the first generation of the well-liked Touareg SUV had the 4.2-liter Volkswagen AXQ or Touareg V8 4.2 engine, which was manufactured between 2002 and 2006. A direct fuel injection engine with the BAR index replaced this engine after it was restyled.

AEW, ABZ, BFL, BFM, AXQ, BVJ, CDRA, BAR, CRDB, and CEUA are all part of the EA824 series.
Specifications
| Production years | 2002-2006 |
| Displacement, cc | 4172 |
| Fuel system | distributed injection |
| Power output, hp | 310 |
| Torque output, Nm | 410 |
| Cylinder block | aluminum V8 |
| Block head | aluminum 40v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 84.5 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 93 |
| Compression ratio | 11.0 |
| Features | no |
| Hydraulic lifters | yes |
| Timing drive | belt & 2 chains |
| Phase regulator | yes |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 7.5 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 4 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for VW Touareg 2004) — city — highway — combined |
20.3 11.1 14.8 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~280 000 |
The engine was installed on:
- Volkswagen Touareg 1 (7L) in 2002 – 2006.
Disadvantages of the VW AXQ engine
The main issues here are related to unreliable timing chain tensioners; you also need to keep an eye on the condition of the timing belt because when it breaks, the valves bend; lubrication leaks frequently occur here, especially at the junction of the motor and gearbox; scuffing is rare with normal maintenance, but if you save on oil and allow frequent overheating of the engine, they will appear.
