Volkswagen Reveals New Touran Days Before Paris
Posted by Lorenzo at 1:59 pm
Last month, we reported that Volkswagen was poised to release a facelifted version of their Touran MPV in time for the Paris Motor Show. Well Volkswagen did just that today, showing off a freshened Touran to the public for the first time.Nothing major has changed with perhaps the biggest difference being the front end and a bit of the back end. The front now dons Volkswagen's signature shield grille, as well as a pair of Eos-styled headlights. At the back, the changes are more subtle with a pair of new taillights and a new bumper. Other than those changes, the sheet metal remains more or less the same. Inside, the dash has also received some changes, making it cleaner and more functional. An optional DVD navigation system is available, as well as an input jack for MP3 players.
An array of diesel and petrol engines are available, including the 1.4L TSI twincharged engine making 140 hp. The top TDI engine available will output 170 hp. Volkswagen's acclaimed DSG will be available.
With the Touran launch, Volkswagen will be introducing for the first time the Park Assist parking system. When activated, the optional Park Assist system looks for a parking spot and notifies the driver. Once the driver shifts to reverse, the car will automatically maneuver into the spot. All the driver has to do is accelerate and brake. Volkswagen claims it can park the Touran in 15 seconds.
This facelifted Touran will debut at the Paris Auto Show and should be first available in Europe sometime after that. Unfortunately, like the previous Touran, this one will stay in Europe and will not be available in North America.
Press release and more photos after the jump.
Source: Volkswagen AG.
Wolfsburg, 13 September 2006 - The latest generation of the van bestseller starts at 20.460 euros.
The Touran is coming with a new look, new technologies and a new top TSI engine. The next generation of the bestseller will be presented in a world premiere at the Paris Auto Show on September 28. The market launch will be taking place in the middle of November. The van will be the first Volkswagen available with "Park Assist", unique in its technical design; the parking system that makes parking a snap, even in tight quarters.
At first glance the new Touran is recognizable from the front by its Volkswagen crest radiator grill in chrome design, a new bumper and precisely cut headlights; the optional lights available as bi-xenon adaptive headlights follow the stylistic design of the Eos. At the back the new rear lights and the bumper modified along the lines of the front section allude to the second Touran generation. Numerous interior modifications and expanded standard equipment top off the extensive package of measures. Starting in spring 2007, the highest performance gasoline direct injection engine, a Twincharger with 125 kW / 170 hp, will be employed in the Touran for the first time. The gears of this sporty as well as thrifty 1.4 TSI are changed via the standard DSG direct shift gearbox. The 103 kW / 140 hp strong Touran 1.4 TSI, whose Twincharger is also optionally available with DSG, will get started right at market launch.
Park Assist guides the Touran into that space under 15 seconds
Another technology highlight of the Touran is the optional parking guidance assistant (including Park Pilot / distance warning front and back). Developed by Volkswagen, "Park Assist" enables automatic parking. "Park Assist" is activated at the push of a button. While driving by at speeds of up to 30 kph an ultrasonic sensor system detects all parking spaces on the right and left that are parallel to the driving lane; a control unit calculates the ideal path for parking. "Park Assist" notifies the driver about the starting position via display in the instruments. After engaging reverse gear the van maneuvers into the parking space in under 15 seconds. During the entire parking process the driver only has to accelerate and brake – the Touran does the steering.
The latest generation of the van bestseller starts at 20.460 euros
The Touran is regarded as the all-round talent for private and/or business use due, among other things, to its unrivaled range of innovative engines and gearboxes as well as its great interior versatility and capacity. From a standing start the first generation introduced in 2003 advanced to the most successful van series in Germany (approx. 8,000 new registrations per month); in Europe the Touran is also one of the most sold models of its class (11% market share in the segment). The new Touran should strengthen this position. At a purchase price of 20.460 euros (Touran Conceptline, 75 kW / 102 hp) it can be recommended in terms of economy.
Stainless steel, new materials and uncompromising safety features
New upholstery fabrics and appointments breath new life into the interior of the next generation Touran, lending it a more refined feel. The middle plate of the instrument panel, for example: It is now crafted in a stainless steel design. The same is true for the area around the standard storage compartment above the middle console. In addition, the basic "Conceptline" version is refined by the new "Media" interior trim. The "RCD 300" radio-CD system with integrated MP3 mode is standard on-board equipment. Also true in terms of safety: no compromises. Front, side and head airbags are included as standard features, as well as the ESP Electronic Stabilization Program including counter-steering feature and trailer stabilization.
New features also refine "Trendline" and "Highline"
The stainless steel theme is even more enhanced in the next highest equipment version: The décor strips here also exhibit this design. It has a sporty character matching the new "Energy" interior trim. The Touran Trendline now comes with the semi-automatic "Climatic" air-conditioning system as standard equipment (previously a Highline equipment feature). Taken from its predecessor are practical details such as the folding front passenger backrest with table and load-through facility.
At Volkswagen "Highline" traditionally refers to the most exclusive equipment version. In the case of the updated Touran this includes, among other features, newly designed 16" light-alloy wheels ("Magny Cours" design), the refined "Mando" interior trim, an air-conditioning system (Climatronic instead of Climatic), the most powerful version of the "RCD 300" audio system with eight speakers and ParkPilot for the back.
Innovative extras for an all-round automotive talent
In addition to "Park Assist", "Hill-Starting Assistant", daytime running lights and bi-xenon headlights with cornering light, the new optional equipment for the second generation Touran includes a variable luggage compartment floor with two integrated storage compartments and a DVD-based radio navigation system ("RNS MFD DVD").
140 hp Twincharger with DSG direct shift gearbox
The new top gasoline engine is, as described earlier, the Twincharger 1.4 TSI with 103 kW / 140 hp, first used in the Golf GT. In combination with the new Touran the dual charged high-tech engine (charged via compressor and turbocharger) enables a top speed of 198 kph while running on an average of only 7.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. The basic version engine Volkswagen offers for the Touran is a 1.6 liter gasoline engine with 75 kW / 102 hp.
A 125 kW / 170 hp TDI engine is at the top of the diesel engine range. The entry level here is a TDI with 66 kW / 90 hp. In the next TDI performance levels Volkswagen offers the new Touran with 77 kW / 105 hp and 103 kW / 140 hp. Another innovative way of saving without forgoing driving pleasure is the 80 kW / 109 hp natural gas version of the Touran, the "EcoFuel", that will also be available at market launch. A world-wide novelty in the van segment: All TDI and TSI engines (at least 77 kW / 105 hp) can be combined with the DSG direct shift gearbox – in the eyes of many experts and customers the sportiest and most economical automatic transmission in the world.
Interior concept with up to seven seats and 1,989 liters of storage volume
The innovative seating system of the Touran shows the way in terms of versatility. The three light-weight seats arranged next to one another in the second row can be quickly and easily moved – lengthwise and offset diagonally, folded down or removed. The Touran can be optionally equipped with a third row of seats; when not in use the two full-fledged individual seats can each be easily lowered separately into the luggage compartment floor. The luggage compartment of up to 1,989 liters (depending on seat configuration) is also a hallmark of versatile and efficient usability.
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