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Rally 'Round the Family: VW shows off 2011 CrossTouran

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Crossover, Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen CrossTouran - Click above for high-res image gallery

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.

Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen CrossTouran

[Source: Volkswagen]

Rally 'Round the Family: VW shows off 2011 CrossTouran originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Volkswagen Touran shown in Leipzig

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows

2011 Volkswagen Touran - Click above for high-res image gallery

Overseas, Volkswagen offers a tall wagon known as the Touran. Somewhat like a shrunken Routan, but way cooler, we didn't think it was possible for VW to improve on this already stellar vehicle. After all, the Touran is the reincarnation of K.I.T.T. despite what that goofy Mustang will tell you. In Leipzig, VW took the wraps off a refreshed-for-2011 Touran that now features the design DNA common across the rest of the vee-dub lineup. Since the Touran is already the best-selling MPV in Germany, with a fifty percent market share and 1.13 million units sold worldwide, VW wisely chose not to mess too much with the successful package.

There's the signature new grille, LED taillights, new alloy wheels and chrome rub strips along the flanks. The interior changes are similarly minor, with new trim finishes, a three-spoke steering wheel, a new information display and white-backlit gauges. The center console gets chrome highlights surrounding the new controls for the ventilation system. Powering the three-row seven-seater is a range of force-fed engines that promise greater performance and economy with fewer emissions. A new 105 PS, 1.2-liter TSI engine is the entry-level gasoline unit, joined by a 1.4-liter lump producing 140 PS.

Diesel fans will have their choice of a 1.6-liter TDI with either 90 or 105 PS, while the 2.0-liter version is available with 140 or 170 PS. Better yet, the 1.2 TSI and 1.6 TDI engines can get the BlueMotion Technology treatment, with Start/Stop. Even the ParkAssist feature gets a makeover for 2011, now automatically parking in head-on spots as easily as in parallel situations. The new VW Touran will go on sale in the UK in September, with prices and final option details coming closer to the release date. Check out the gallery of images from Volkswagen below and the full press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Touran

[Surce: Volkswagen]

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Touran shown in Leipzig

2011 Volkswagen Touran shown in Leipzig originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: VW Shows off the new Touran

Alex Nunez — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 03:01:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen

Later this month in Paris, VW will publicly unveil the latest iteration of its Touran compact MPV. The seven-seater gets a new Passat/Eos-style face that features VW's new grille and headlamp designs. A walk around back reveals a redesigned bumper and new taillamps. It's not the sexiest MPV you'll ever see, but it's clean and appealing to the eye. The refreshed interior incorporates some upgraded materials and adds MP3 support to the stock head uniit. The instrument panel and controls are all logically arranged.

The big news for the '07 Touran is the introduction of Volkswagen's ParkAssist system. It uses sensors fore and aft to help the driver place the car in the optimal position to park and then waits for him or her to engage reverse. Once that happens, the car takes over steering while the driver controls the gas and brake. VW claims that the car will park itself within 15 seconds.

Power-wise, a selection of diesel and gasoline 4-cylinders will be available, including the new 140 hp Twincharger 1.4L TSI.

European MPVs are pretty cool. Yes, they're smaller than the traditional American minivan, but they often have nicer, sportier styling. Consider this: if, for example, Ford was selling the S-Max and Galaxy here instead of the Freestar, would they have axed their minivan program in favor of the Fairlane? Not likely. Ford's Euro MPVs are two of the more stylish people movers you'll find anywhere. People would actually be buying them. (Kudos to Ford, however, for bringing over the Mazda5.)

Will we ever see this VW? Nope, We're getting a machine based on the new Chrysler minivan platform, meaning it'll be big. If we're lucky, however, some of this Touran's understated style will rub off on it.

(Detailed press release, photos after the jump)

[Source: Volkswagen UK]

Continue reading Paris Preview: VW Shows off the new Touran

Paris Preview: VW Shows off the new Touran originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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