Even after twelve years and major or minor modernizations, the Volkswagen Touran remains at the top of the German, and therefore European, sales charts of large-capacity cars. However, time in the automotive world has passed much faster in recent years than before, and the sub-segment of compact MPVs has experienced an unprecedented model whirlwind despite the advent of increasingly popular crossovers. The German manufacturer has already had to respond to this, as well as to increasingly strict emission and safety limits, and from autumn it will send the second generation Touran into battle, which practically only shares the manufacturer's name and logo with the previous one.
As you may have guessed, the super-modern MQB modular group replaces the already significantly outdated PQ35 platform. This, together with a higher proportion of high-strength steel in the production of the body, brings a significant diet, which, depending on the version, reaches up to 62 kg. The body itself is a quarter stiffer than its predecessor and also 130 mm longer , 41 mm wider and 6 mm lower. In the language of numbers, this means a length of 4527 mm, a width of 1814 mm and a height of 1628 mm. There is 2791 mm between the axles, 113 mm more than before.
Passengers in the second and alternatively also the third row of seats benefit from such an increase. The sliding doors are still reserved for the larger Sharan and Multivan models, respectively the Caddy model that comes from the van, but the 63 mm longer cabin is definitely pleasing. The seats in the second and third rows are separate, and folding them into the floor is a matter of a few moves. The middle row can be moved up to 200 mm, its backrests can be tilted, and Volkswagen itself claims that three child seats can fit next to each other. However, despite the increase in size, the additional third row of seats is more for children than adults. The luggage compartment holds 1,040 liters in a five-seater arrangement (counting up to the ceiling) and even 1,980 liters when the rear seats are folded down. The seven-seat variant varies between 917 and 1857 liters, but it can be assumed that the first value again belongs to the five-seat interior arrangement. Practicality is further enhanced by the folded passenger seat and a total of 47 storage areas inside the car.
Visually, the Touran unwaveringly belongs to the Golf model family , especially the smaller MPV Golf Sportsvan. It is based on the design of both the front part with three chrome slats in the radiator grille, as well as the shape and optics of the rear headlights with LEDs. In the highest specification, even those interested in a practical car will be able to test the effectiveness of the full-LED headlights . For the first time ever, the Touran will also be offered with the R-Line optical package , which enlivens the appearance with more prominently shaped bumpers, a diffuser with a double exhaust tailpipe, larger wheels or a roof spoiler. The air resistance coefficient cx = 0.296 is unique in its class.
The interior is closer to the larger Passat in terms of appearance and probably also the choice of materials than the Sportsvan, you would look in vain for the handbrake lever, which has been replaced by its more modern electric version. An interesting element is the center console turned towards the driver, on which there can be a display of one of five multimedia systems , all based on the MIB platform. The lowest specification has a five-inch display and can, for example, DAB+ digital radio, the highest with an eight-inch display is also equipped with navigation. Similar to most cars today, the Touran can mirror the display of a smartphone in the car interface using the MirrorLink, Android Auto or Apple Car Play systems. In the attached photos, you can clearly see the highest equipment specification with decors in black piano lacquer , leather upholstery and, quite possibly, three-zone automatic air conditioning. This also belongs to the novelties within the model range, and its sister with manual control will be available in the basic equipment. One more additional element worth mentioning – the sliding roof window has an area of 1.34 m 2 .
When sales begin in the fall of this year, the range of power units will include three gasoline and three diesel engines with a standard stop/start system and brake energy recovery. If you want to burn natural 95, you have a choice of 1200 TSI with 110 hp, 140 TSI with 150 hp and 180 TSI with 180 hp. Diesel TDIs have a volume of 1.6 liters with an output of 110 hp or 2.0 liters with an output of 150 and 190 hp. The top TSI and TDI are connected to the front wheels by a seven-speed DSG, which is available for an additional charge with the remaining TDI and 1.4 TSI. However, the standard of these engines, along with the 1.2 TSI, is a six-speed manual transmission.
The last chapter consists of security assistants, of which, as befits a new product, there are a lot of them. When driving with a trailer, Trailer Assist helps, the space around and behind the car is monitored by Side Assist or Rear Assist, and there is also driver fatigue monitoring, adaptive cruise control , monitoring of blind spots, automatic stopping of the car after an accident , pre-collision system or parking assistant. A purely practical element is the contactless opening of the fifth door by kicking under the rear bumper. As part of passive safety, up to nine airbags can be mentioned on board.
Source: Volkswagen
