Volkswagen is bringing a wealth of new metal to the Geneva Motor Show this year. Unfortunately little if any of it is ever likely to reach American shores. There's the new Passat Alltrack, the Golf GTD Variant and a trifecta of new vans: the facelifted Caddy, the revised Sharan and this, the new Touran.
Smaller than the Sharan, the Touran is Germany's top-selling minivan and boasts over 1.9 million units sold to date. It was introduced to the VW passenger van lineup in 2003 and was replaced in 2010 with an all-new model. What you're looking at here is the third-generation Touran, based on VW's ubiquitous new MQB architecture.
Most obvious is the new sheet metal that makes it look sharper and more in step with the rest of the German automaker's lineup compared to the model it replaces. But there's more to the new Touran than its skin. It's also nearly five inches longer, with most of that length added in the wheelbase to give it a more commodious cabin that's also been updated with the latest equipment and offers room for up to seven passengers.
Despite the larger size, it's a good 136 pounds lighter than the outgoing model, so it promises better performance in both its driving dynamics and its environmental credentials. Prospective customers (in markets where the Touran is sold) will be able to choose from a range of three gasoline and three diesel engines ranging from 108 horsepower up to 187, burning as much as 19 percent less fuel than the outgoing model's lineup thanks to features like stop/start engine management and brake force regeneration. There's even a sporty R Line package to give it a little visual aggression.
For better or worse, though, the US market will almost certainly be left out: reached for comment, our source at VW USA pointed out that the Touran and Sharan aren't big enough to fill the shoes left by the Routan - but that the upcoming three-row crossover will.
Smaller than the Sharan, the Touran is Germany's top-selling minivan and boasts over 1.9 million units sold to date. It was introduced to the VW passenger van lineup in 2003 and was replaced in 2010 with an all-new model. What you're looking at here is the third-generation Touran, based on VW's ubiquitous new MQB architecture.
Most obvious is the new sheet metal that makes it look sharper and more in step with the rest of the German automaker's lineup compared to the model it replaces. But there's more to the new Touran than its skin. It's also nearly five inches longer, with most of that length added in the wheelbase to give it a more commodious cabin that's also been updated with the latest equipment and offers room for up to seven passengers.
Despite the larger size, it's a good 136 pounds lighter than the outgoing model, so it promises better performance in both its driving dynamics and its environmental credentials. Prospective customers (in markets where the Touran is sold) will be able to choose from a range of three gasoline and three diesel engines ranging from 108 horsepower up to 187, burning as much as 19 percent less fuel than the outgoing model's lineup thanks to features like stop/start engine management and brake force regeneration. There's even a sporty R Line package to give it a little visual aggression.
For better or worse, though, the US market will almost certainly be left out: reached for comment, our source at VW USA pointed out that the Touran and Sharan aren't big enough to fill the shoes left by the Routan - but that the upcoming three-row crossover will.
Volkswagen presents the new Touran
- Germany's best-selling MPV completely redeveloped
- More room; smart new design
- New engines up to 19 per cent more economical
Volkswagen presents the new Touran. The completely redesigned MPV was showcased before an audience of international media representatives at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg, not far from the production site where the popular family car is made. The interior of the new model has undergone a significant increase in size and is highly configurable. Refinements have been made all around the vehicle, which boasts a range of six new economical engines and an extensive line-up of assistance and infotainment systems. The public premiere of the new Touran will take place in the coming week at the Geneva motor show.
Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, explained: "As one of the most successful family cars in the world with 1.9 million units sold, the Touran is indisputably Germany's top MPV. I am convinced that the new generation will do more than simply build on this position – it will set new standards."
The third generation Touran has a distinctive new sporty look, thanks to a powerful and precise design that picks up on the reductive clarity of the previous model while adding a lightness and sporty feel. The interior has been given a makeover too. The space can be configured in a variety of ways with its newly developed fold-flat seating system, which also features ISOFIX anchor points on all seats. A luggage space of 1,040 litres (when loaded to roof height up to the second seat row) and a total of 47 storage compartments make the new Touran perfect for everyday use. The optional Pure Air 3-zone automatic air conditioner with anti-allergen filter ensures that the air inside the vehicle stays fresh and clean.
The completely redeveloped Touran is the first MPV to be based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). This brings many advantages as far as design and construction are concerned, such as a distinctive long wheelbase with very short body overhangs allowing a groundbreaking use of space. Despite an increase in overall vehicle length and greater demands on safety and comfort it has still been possible to achieve a weight reduction of 62 kg compared to the previous model. This, together with improvements to the vehicle's aerodynamics, has resulted in a drop in fuel consumption: the engines, three petrol (TSI) with 81 kW / 110 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS, 132 kW / 180 PS and three diesel (TDI) with 81 kW / 110 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS, 140 kW / 190 PS, are now up to 19 per cent more economical. All models feature Stop/Start and battery regeneration (brake energy recuperation) systems as standard.
The wide range of new assistance and infotainment systems are pioneering features in this vehicle class. Along with Automatic Post-Collision Braking System as standard, the family-friendly best-seller is also available with the adaptive cruise control system ACC and Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Traffic Jam Assist, Pre-Crash proactive occupant protection, Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert and Trailer Assist, the trailer manoeuvring system. New features in the Touran include an electric tailgate open/close mechanism, the automatic Easy Open tailgate function (activated by a movement of the foot), driving profile selection and high-performance LED headlights.
No fewer than five radio and radio navigation systems are available for the new Touran. DAB+ digital radio is available for all these systems. For the three top devices, Volkswagen will also be offering AppConnect with CarPlay (Apple) and Android Auto (Google) and MirrorLink™ for the first time, enabling a wide array of apps to be mirrored in the infotainment system display. The Touran has another optional item available, one that will particularly appeal to families: electronic voice amplification. This system uses a microphone in the front passenger area to relay speech to the rear seat rows via the speakers installed in the rear.
The Touran looks particularly sporty when fitted with the new R Line equipment range from Volkswagen R. The R Line exterior package includes special R Line bumpers among other features. Inside, the R Line interior package contains highlights such as exclusive seat covers.
- Germany's best-selling MPV completely redeveloped
- More room; smart new design
- New engines up to 19 per cent more economical
Volkswagen presents the new Touran. The completely redesigned MPV was showcased before an audience of international media representatives at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg, not far from the production site where the popular family car is made. The interior of the new model has undergone a significant increase in size and is highly configurable. Refinements have been made all around the vehicle, which boasts a range of six new economical engines and an extensive line-up of assistance and infotainment systems. The public premiere of the new Touran will take place in the coming week at the Geneva motor show.
Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, explained: "As one of the most successful family cars in the world with 1.9 million units sold, the Touran is indisputably Germany's top MPV. I am convinced that the new generation will do more than simply build on this position – it will set new standards."
The third generation Touran has a distinctive new sporty look, thanks to a powerful and precise design that picks up on the reductive clarity of the previous model while adding a lightness and sporty feel. The interior has been given a makeover too. The space can be configured in a variety of ways with its newly developed fold-flat seating system, which also features ISOFIX anchor points on all seats. A luggage space of 1,040 litres (when loaded to roof height up to the second seat row) and a total of 47 storage compartments make the new Touran perfect for everyday use. The optional Pure Air 3-zone automatic air conditioner with anti-allergen filter ensures that the air inside the vehicle stays fresh and clean.
The completely redeveloped Touran is the first MPV to be based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). This brings many advantages as far as design and construction are concerned, such as a distinctive long wheelbase with very short body overhangs allowing a groundbreaking use of space. Despite an increase in overall vehicle length and greater demands on safety and comfort it has still been possible to achieve a weight reduction of 62 kg compared to the previous model. This, together with improvements to the vehicle's aerodynamics, has resulted in a drop in fuel consumption: the engines, three petrol (TSI) with 81 kW / 110 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS, 132 kW / 180 PS and three diesel (TDI) with 81 kW / 110 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS, 140 kW / 190 PS, are now up to 19 per cent more economical. All models feature Stop/Start and battery regeneration (brake energy recuperation) systems as standard.
The wide range of new assistance and infotainment systems are pioneering features in this vehicle class. Along with Automatic Post-Collision Braking System as standard, the family-friendly best-seller is also available with the adaptive cruise control system ACC and Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Traffic Jam Assist, Pre-Crash proactive occupant protection, Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert and Trailer Assist, the trailer manoeuvring system. New features in the Touran include an electric tailgate open/close mechanism, the automatic Easy Open tailgate function (activated by a movement of the foot), driving profile selection and high-performance LED headlights.
No fewer than five radio and radio navigation systems are available for the new Touran. DAB+ digital radio is available for all these systems. For the three top devices, Volkswagen will also be offering AppConnect with CarPlay (Apple) and Android Auto (Google) and MirrorLink™ for the first time, enabling a wide array of apps to be mirrored in the infotainment system display. The Touran has another optional item available, one that will particularly appeal to families: electronic voice amplification. This system uses a microphone in the front passenger area to relay speech to the rear seat rows via the speakers installed in the rear.
The Touran looks particularly sporty when fitted with the new R Line equipment range from Volkswagen R. The R Line exterior package includes special R Line bumpers among other features. Inside, the R Line interior package contains highlights such as exclusive seat covers.
Volkswagen Information
Featured Gallery 2016 Volkswagen Touran
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