The next-generation Touran, Volkswagen’s popular people-carrier, has been unveiled to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show this week.
Available as a five- or seven-seater, the new Touran is geared more towards family life offering practical features, roominess and ample boot space.
More interior space
The new MPV is bigger than the car it replaces, offering more interior space than ever before. Despite a significant gain in overall length, weight has been reduced by 62kg meaning there will be significant improvements to fuel economy and crucially for company car drivers, CO2 emissions should be lower too keeping monthly tax costs low.
There’s up to 47 storage compartments scattered throughout the car of various sizes which means they’ll always be a place to store your bag, purse or paperwork while on the move. You can also fit three ISOFIX child seats next to each other in the second row, and there are mounts for two in the back seats -ideal for company car drivers with a family.
Not only is interior space improved, according to Volkswagen the new Touran also offers the biggest luggage space in its class with 917 litres available as a five-seater increasing to 1,857 litres when both rows of seats are folded flat.
Range of efficient engines
There are six engines to choose from at launch of the new Touran; three petrol and three diesel.
All are four-cylinder with turbocharging, fully compliant with the EU6 emissions standard and feature stop/start and brake energy recuperation systems as standard.
Most engine choices can be mated with either a six-speed manual gearbox or Volkswagen’s widely renowned DSG automatic gearboxes.
Thanks to the car’s weight loss and the advancements in green technologies, the new engines in the Touran are up to 19 percent more economical and we’re expecting CO2 figures to be pretty impressive too once the official figures are announced.
Likely to be the most popular with company car drivers is the 108bhp 1.6-litre diesel fitted with BlueMotion technology which has a claimed economy of 69mpg.
New driver assistance systems
Exact specifications for the UK are yet to be confirmed but we’re expecting the new Touran to come comprehensively equipped with the latest connectivity tech and most likely in the familiar trim levels adopted by other cars in the Volkswagen range.
The assistance systems available for the first time in the Touran include an automatic post-collision braking system as standard, as well as Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking (provides automatic braking in slow moving traffic when it detects stationary cars and the driver takes no action), collision prevention systems and, for the first time in any MPV, a trailer assist manoeuvring system.
Order books for the new Touran open sometime in July with first deliveries expected in November. Prices and exact specifications are expected to be announced closer to the time.
