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Volkswagen has
released more information on their A5-platform based MPV coming
next spring in Europe only. Volkswagen is responding to the popularity
of small people mover vehicles that have become the mini-minivan
of Europe. Designed to compete with the likes of the Renault Scenic
and Opel Zafira, the Touran makes its mark with tremendous versatility
in seating arrangements, the ability to carry seven people, new
levels of build quality and highly competitive features. Volkswagen
may be late to this segment, but they appear to have done their
homework. The Touran is also significant to us in giving a glimpse
of the future Golf V platform. The Touran is a mix of Golf IV and
Golf V components including an all-new 4-link fully independent
rear suspension standard, new electro mechanical steering, newly
designed dual zone climate control and more. The Touran will also
be the first Volkswagen to feature the all-new 2.0l TDI rated at
134hp in this application.
Some of the
components seen in the dash board controls will be shared with the
Golf V when it is introduced in the Fall of 2003 at the Frankfurt
Auto Show. Of note, the completely new dual-zone climatronic controls
which finally do away with the poorly designed and often confusing
controls of the existing system. A big improvement in our book.
There are no
plans to offer the Touran in North America due to its small size
and the lack of a class of vehicles like this here. Sources at Volkswagen
tell us it could be made U.S. safety and EPA compliant fairly easily,
so the door has still been left open to potentially offer it here
if demand warranted.
Look for more
information on the Touran over the next several months leading ultimately
to its public introduction at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show next March.
In the mean time the Volkswagen AG press release follows below and
our complete photo gallery by clicking on the "Gallery"
button to the left.
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Volkswagen AG
Press Release:
The Volkswagen
Touran: first pictures and facts about the five to seven seat interior
of the versatile compact van
- Family-friendly
interior concept with innovative system of single seats
- Interior developed
for best-possible suitability in everyday use
Wolfsburg- New
perspectives from the Touran: Before its launch in the first quarter
of 2003, Volkswagen is now publishing initial pictures and facts
about the high-quality interior of its compact van. The versatile
interior of the Touran, which has five seats as standard and seven
as an option, has been carefully thought through to the very last
detail and is designed for anybody who simply needs plenty of space
- or up to seven seats - in the course of their private of professional
activities. Up to three rows of seats allow a very high degree of
variability and thus make outstanding versatility possible. Moreover,
the interior of the Touran is distinguished by the generous amount
of space it offers. Despite the compact exterior body dimensions,
it achieves a size usually only associated with significantly larger
vehicles. Further arguments in favor of Volkswagen's new van are
its comprehensive standard equipment package, which includes, for
example, a radio with CD player, central locking with radio remote
control, not to mention ABS, EDL and ESP.
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