First Look: Volkswagen Touran

The Touran from Volkswagen is the most successful German compact MPV and “the” consummate family vehicle. Exactly 1.13 million units of the Touran have been sold to date. In Germany, it currently holds a market share of nearly 50 percent in its segment and across Europe, the Volkswagen ranks among the top five in its class. At the Auto Mobil International in Leipzig (10 to 18 April), Volkswagen is now presenting a generation of the bestseller that has been redesigned in many areas. The look of the Touran now follows the updated Volkswagen “design DNA”. From a technical viewpoint, its progressive systems break through class boundaries, as in the case of the continuous main beam headlights (Dynamic Light Assist) being introduced on an MPV for the first time, and the new Park Assist 2.0 for nearly automatic parallel and diagonal parking. A full range of six new petrol and diesel engines point the way to fuel economy and emissions values which were previously inconceivable on an MPV. Setting the pace in sustainability is the Touran TDI BlueMotion Technology (77 kW / 105 PS): The Touran sets a new best value for a seven-seater MPV with combined fuel consumption of 4.6 l/100 km (equivalent to 121 g/km CO2).

Also new aboard the Touran is the innovative entry-level petrol engine, the 1.2-litre TSI. It is a turbocharged direct-injection engine with 105 PS. In the style of a turbodiesel, it develops a strong 175 Newton-metres of torque from just above idle speed, yet it consumes only 6.4 l/100 km fuel in combined mode (equivalent to 149 g/km CO2). As an alternative, this variant is also available with BlueMotion Technology – together with the Start/Stop system and battery regeneration. In this case, values for combined fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced to 5.9 l/100 km and 139 g/km, respectively.

All eight engines (power range from 66 kW / 90 PS to 125 kW / 170 PS) are highly efficient. Without exception, they are turbocharged direct-injection engines, which follow the Volkswagen downsizing principle. And this means: less engine displacement, lower emissions, lower fuel consumption yet significantly more torque! Naturally, all new Tourans fulfil the requirements of the Euro-5 emissions standard.

The range of features on the multi-purpose vehicle - equipped with up to 39 storage options - was reconfigured as well. The base model is now the Touran Trendline (previously Conceptline). Fuel consumption of the standard 1.2-litre TSI is frugal. Yet, the base model’s standard features are anything but frugal; they include air conditioning, radio/CD system with MP3 function, electric windows in all four doors, elegant decorative inserts in "Brushed Chrome" and daytime running lights.

Launching with an even more exclusive package of features is the Touran Comfortline (including light and rain sensors; automatic dimming rear-view mirror; chrome accents on components such as the light switch, window and mirror adjustment controls; light-absorbing side windows; comfort seats in front; folding tables for the second row of seats and black roof rails). The exclusive top model is the Touran Highline; its additional features - in addition to the Comfortline’s features - include Alcantara fabric upholstery, sport seats (front), automatic climate control, multifunction display with colour screen, leather-trimmed steering wheel with multifunction keys, 16-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails and front fog lights with chrome frames.

Now on the Touran for the first time is the new RNS 315 radio-navigation system with touchscreen. Other new optional features now available include: the enormous panoramic slide/vent sunroof, Rear-View camera (standard in conjunction with RNS 510 radio-navigation system) and the DCC dynamic chassis control system. Another new feature on the Touran is Light Assist – an automatic main beam control system for standard headlights, making them a "younger technological sister" of the Dynamic Light Assist developed for bi-xenon headlights. The Touran will launch in August in Germany; over the course of the autumn, it will gradually be introduced to markets across the globe.

Credits: wilswong