Rally 'Round the Family: VW shows off 2011 CrossTouran

Volkswagen has now started taking orders for the new "outback" version of its European-market Touran MPV starting at €27,700 in Germany (that's around $35,500 USD). The CrossTouran joins the joins the CrossPolo and CrossGolf in the high-riding flared wheelarch segment. Longer springs lift the CrossTouran about 0.8 inches further off the pavement, letting driver and children play rally driver that much more convincingly.

Like its lower-riding siblings, the CrossTouran has an array of gas and diesel TSI and TDI inline-fours to choose from along an optional bi-fuel natural gas version. If Ford finds success with its similarly sized Grand C-Max next year and the slow-selling Chrysler-in-drag Routan is canceled, perhaps VW will bring over the Touran instead to flesh out its lineup. If the seven-seat Touran could be produced in Mexico along with the Jetta to bring the price down, such a move could have potential.

[Source: Volkswagen]