By: IOL Motoring Staff
MPVs are all about the sensible side of life and with that in mind, Volkswagen's all new Touran takes its rational appeal to the next level with some help from a new friend called MQB.
Touran now joins the Golf, Passat and others on the VW group's weight-saving MQB modular platform and this allows the MPV to grow in size (130mm in length and 113mm in wheelbase) while losing 62kg.
This frees up more space for passengers and luggage, while up to 47 storage spaces are waiting to swallow all your odds, ends and unmentionables. Making it even more versatile is a newly-developed fold-flat seating system for both five and seven-seat versions, while the optional three-zone climate control system is available to keep everyone comfy.
You can pack it to the hilt with features too. In fact, VW reckons its new MPV offer the widest range of assistance and comfort systems in its class. New to the Touran are safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Traffic Jam Assist, Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert and Trailer Assist, the latter claimed as a class first.
NEW INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS
An electrically operated tailgate is also available to make your life a little easier and your inner gadget geek has plenty to feast on, with a completely new range of infotainment systems offering Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink to keep you connected to your favourite apps.
The new Touran will take until 2016 to get to South Africa and thus we can't confirm the local engine range until then.
Buyers abroad get to choose from a range of six turbocharged engines, which are up to 19 percent more economical than their predecessors in the previous model. On the petrol front, VW offers an 81kW 1.2 TSI, 110kW 1.4 TSI and 132kW 1.8 TSI, while diesel-heads can opt for an 81kW 1.6 TDI or a 2.0 TDI with 110kW or 140kW. Depending on the engine choice, gearbox options include six-speed manual or DSG with six or seven forward ratios.
While the Touran is more about economy and practicality than performance and flash, buyers can give their car a bit more presence with an R Line exterior package that stands out with bolder bumpers and some unique interior embellishments.