Volkswagen has released full details of the all-new Touran compact MPV ahead of its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. It's built on the modular MQB platform, meaning reduced weight and better efficiency, plus more space than ever. The new Touran will complement the Volkswagen Golf SV and Sharan when it arrives in Ireland this November, just in time for the '161' registration period. It is expected to be sold in seven-seat guise only in this market.
Exterior
The exterior of the new Touran falls into line with Volkswagen's latest design language, looking more like a Passat than a Golf. It's no illusion either, as the new car is 130mm longer than its predecessor, with 113mm of that in the wheelbase. A few of the press images shown here illustrate a sporty looking R Line model, with its own bumper design and larger alloy wheels. It's not yet clear if that will be offered in Ireland.
Interior
As with any MPV, the cabin is more important than the exterior appearance, and Volkswagen appears to have considerably enhanced the Touran's interior. That longer wheelbase should mean more rear legroom for a start. Though available in some markets with just five seats, we believe Volkswagen Ireland will only sell the new Touran in seven-seat guise, as the Golf SV already has the five-seat MPV option covered. Nonetheless, a new seat folding mechanism is claimed to make it extremely easy to fold the rear-most seats flat into the floor. Volkswagen quotes a luggage capacity with five people on board of 1,040 litres - when the boot is loaded to the roof.
Volkswagen cites 47 different storage areas in the cabin, including a large removable 'Jumbo Box' in the centre console. On top of that, there's a new three-zone climate control system available called Pure Air Climatronic.
Mechanicals
Throughout Europe the new Touran will be offered with a choice of three TSI petrol or three TDI diesel engines, the former ranging from a new 110hp version of the 1.2-litre TSI engine to a 180hp 1.8-litre unit mated as standard with the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission (not likely to be sold in Ireland). Diesel power is likely to continue to dominate sales here, and options vary from the entry-level 1.6-litre 110hp TDI unit to the 150hp 2.0-litre TDI engine. A 190hp TDI engine from the Golf GTD will be offered in some countries.
Anything else?
Volkswagen will also introduce a suite of connectivity and smartphone integration technology to the Touran this time around, including App Connect with CarPlay and Android Auto, along with MirrorLink.
Pricing and full Irish specifications have yet to be confirmed.