Touareg revs up England’s cricket team as Test approaches

While the England cricket team have been preparing to take on Sri Lanka in the first Test at Lord’s, they have been enjoying driving between matches and training in Volkswagen Touareg luxury 4x4s.

As the Official Car Supplier to the England Team, Volkswagen has provided players with Touareg 3.0-litre V6 TDI Altitude models, complete with leather upholstery, satellite navigation and CD autochangers.

This latest agreement further extends Volkswagen’s involvement with cricket. Ashes hero, Andrew Flintoff – known affectionately as ‘Freddie’ – who was also named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December last year, is already a brand ambassador for the Touareg; while team mate Kevin Pietersen drives a Phaeton.

Volkswagen is also supporting the Andrew Flintoff Benefit Year as a headline sponsor, and is providing the charity with auction items including cars signed by the winning Ashes Team, and raffle prizes such as Touareg off-road driving experiences and lunch with Sir Stirling Moss. Guests attending the various benefit functions will also have the ability to make use of the VIP luxury chauffeur service which is being provided at seven events around the UK throughout 2006.

Adam Chamberlain, Head of Luxury Cars for Volkswagen said: ‘Volkswagen is pleased to consolidate its cricket sponsorship, which is currently benefiting from high levels of interest and support as a result of a resurgent England Team.

‘By supplying the team with a smooth, comfortable drive to and from matches and training, we are confident that it will help the players to continue to perform at their highest level on the pitch,’ he added.

Volkswagen has already delivered cars to all the centrally contracted England players and has struck up a relationship with the Professional Cricketers Association. Marcus Trescothick, England Vice Captain, commented: ‘Freddie (Flintoff) has been telling us all about his Volkswagen Touareg and the unbelievable driving experience that it provides, so we are all looking forward to driving our own Touaregs as travelling between matches, and to and from training, can be extremely stressful and tiring.

‘On behalf of the England Team, I would like to thank Volkswagen for its generous support which I am sure will be of great benefit to both the players and coaches.’