Big tow! Touareg pulls a 155 tonne jumbo jet along runway.

VOLKSWAGEN has staged an amazing stunt to prove the pulling power of its Touareg 4x4.

Although the vehicle has an official towing capacity of 3,500kg it managed to pull a jumbo jet weighing 155 tonnes along a runway.

The idea was to demonstrate the incredible torque, or pulling power, of its turbocharged fivelitre V10 diesel engine and the strength of the transmission system.

The vehicle was a standard production Touareg fitted with a special towing adaptor to connect it with the aircraft and loaded with 4.3 tonnes of metal ballast to bring its total weight to just over seven tonnes.

The car's engine, self-levelling air suspension, wheels, tyres and structure were all standard although the body panels were swapped with those of the next generation Touareg which is due to be launched next year.

The aircraft was a former British Airways Boeing 747-200 that was first flown in 1980 and retired last year.

It retains its full complement of 500 seats, 11 toilets and landing gear but no braking system. The engines were removed last year to make way for dummy items used in the filming of a recent movie.

Despite this, the aircraft still weighs 155 tonnes, due in part to the 28 tonnes of water held in the fuel and nose tanks.

The Touareg managed to haul the 230-foot Jumbo along the runway, near London, at a steady five miles per hour before allowing itself plenty of time to bring the pair to a halt.

The Jumbo cost pounds 200 million and could carry 500 people at speeds of more than 600mph. The Touareg costs pounds 53,285 and can carry five people at speeds of up to 140mph.