Touran Owners Club

The Current Touran

• Volkswagen’s compact MPV; sits alongside Sharan and Caravelle
• On sale in the UK from 5 January 2007
• Comes as standard with seven seats; the two rearmost seats retract neatly into floor when not required. Five-seater model also available
• Maximum luggage capacity of 1,989 litres; up to 35 storage areas
• Length 4,407 mm; width 1,794 mm; height 1,635 mm; wheelbase 2,675 mm
• Rigid bodyshell with four-link independent rear suspension
• Two petrol units:1.6-litre 102 PS and 1.4-litre TSI 140 PS; and four diesel engines: 1.9-litre TDI 90 and 105 PS, 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS and 2.0-litre TDI 170 PS with Diesel Particulate Filter
• All are Euro 4 compliant
• TSI unit is a twincharger engine featuring a mechanically-driven supercharger and an exhaust-driven turbocharger offering a high level of performance and economy
• Electro-mechanical power steering with speed-dependent assistance on all models
• All UK versions, except for the entry-level 1.6-litre 102 PS engine, feature a six-speed gearbox as standard
• Revolutionary double-clutch DSG transmission offered on 1.4-litre TSI and 2.0-litre TDI models
• Innovative new Park Assist option available
• Comprehensive standard safety features include ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) with counter-steering support HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist) and ABS; three-point safety belts for all occupants; plus curtain airbags for front and second row passengers; and front seat side airbags 
• Previous generation Touran scored a class-leading five stars in Euro NCAP safety tests

The latest generation of Volkswagen’s compact MPV, the Touran, was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2006 and went on sale in the UK on 5 January 2007.  Like its popular predecessor, it offers value for money through comprehensive standard equipment, an advanced range of economical engines and maximum flexibility with a standard seven seats, the rearmost two of which can be folded flat into the floor when not required.

Revised styling, as well as new engines and technical equipment were the key changes for the new Touran.  The distinctive Volkswagen ‘face’ was adopted, with new lights similar to those on the Eos coupé cabriolet as well as a new bumper and grille section.  At the rear, the lights and bumper were also modified and updated to give a modern look.  Inside, the Touran gained new trim and materials, including a stain less steel finish to the dials and upgraded standard equipment.

The Touran was always renowned for its safety features, and the new model takes this a step further.  It is fitted as standard with front, side and head airbags as well as ABS and ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) with a new counter-steering feature which improves stability during braking and can reduce stopping distances by up to ten per cent. 

Another innovation is Park Assist which uses a series of sensors mounted on the front, rear and side of the Touran to plot the ideal manoeuvring path into a parallel space either to the right or left of the vehicle.  Once engaged the system, through audible warnings and visual displays, carries out the necessary steering inputs automatically while the driver simply controls the throttle and brake inputs.  The whole operation takes less than 15 seconds. 

The model line-up remains as before with S, SE and Sport.  All models have – among a host of items – 15 inch alloy wheels, a CD player, air conditioning, remote control central locking and cruise control; SE adds 16 inch alloy wheels, an alarm and body-coloured trims; Sport gains a CD autochanger, tinted glass from the B-pillar back, aluminium interior trim and rear parking sensors as standard. 

A new engine line-up comprises six units – two petrol and four diesel.  These are the 1.6-litre 102 PS; 1.4-litre TSI 140 PS with optional DSG gearbox; 1.9-litre TDI 90 and 105 PS; 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS with optional DSG; and 2.0-litre TDI 170 PS with DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) and optional DSG.  Over 85 per cent of Touran buyers will opt for a diesel engine, with the best-selling model being the SE 1.9-litre TDI 105 PS. 

Since its launch in August 2003, the Touran has been extremely successful with over 49,000 units sold.  The car competes in the compact MPV sector which accounted for around 180,000 units in 2007.  The Touran continues to be produced at the Wolfsburg factory in Germany .  Volkswagen UK expects to sell around 10,300 Tourans this year.

Market information

Almost three-quarters of Touran buyers have children, with the vast majority of customers opting for the standard seven-seat version. 

Diesel accounts for 87 per cent of UK Touran sales, with half of all diesel sales being the 1.9-litre 105 PS TDI.  The most popular trim level is the SE, taking 45 per cent of sales; this is closely followed by the S with 39 per cent.  Overall, the best-selling model is the SE 1.9-litre TDI 105 PS, accounting for 25 per cent of total sales.