Well, here’s the new Volkswagen Touran. Call the wife/husband, gather the kids around and soak it up, because this is the MPV you’ll all be stuck in for the foreseeable future – especially if you value space above all else.
Far from being a simple facelift, the new VW Touran is an all-new model based on the company’s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform, which allows for increased length, both in terms of wheelbase and the vehicle itself – and that means more room for things, people and stuff.
The longer wheelbase (stretched by 113mm) gives you an extra 48 litres of luggage space in the five-seater version, while in the seven-seater you can fit a total of five car seats at once, three in the second row and two in the third row – all equipped with ISOFIX fittings.
You can carry a shed-load of luggage, too. In total, the five-seater model has the biggest luggage compartment (1,040 litres) of any car in its class when loaded roof-high, not to mention a total of 47 storage compartments.
The Touran itself may be longer by 130mm, but it’s noticeably lighter by 62kg – slightly less than the weight of the average British wife in case you were wondering. That, in conjunction with improved aerodynamics, allows for better fuel consumption. The most fuel-efficient diesel model, the 110 PS Touran 1.6 TDI with a 7-speed DSG gearbox, consumes just 68.9mpg.
If economy’s not your thing and you’d rather terrify the kids, VW also offers a 2.0-litre TDI with 190PS (187bhp).
Unsurprisingly, the new Touran is littered with new safety assistance systems. It now comes with automatic post-collision braking as standard, adaptive cruise control, driver alert system for those inclined to fall asleep at the wheel, park assist, pre-crash proactive occupant protection, side assist with rear traffic alert and a trailer assist trailer manoeuvring system – a first for any MPV.
The new Touran will launch in September 2015 with first deliveries taking place before the end of 2015.
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