Review - The New Volkswagon Touran

29 December 2006

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This year has seen more face-lifts, nips and tucks, than I care to remember and as 2006 comes to an end, the final patient to go under the knife is Volkswagen’s highly popular seven seater, the Touran.

Order books are now open ahead of the sale date of 5th January 2007, the line-up remains the same, S, SE and Sport, and prices have just been released starting at £14,750 for the entry level S mated to the 1.6 litre 102 PS rising to £23,310 for the range topping Sport matched to the 2.0 litre TDI DPF 170PS with DSG gearbox. But you have to look very carefully to see then appreciated the new look.

The exterior styling has been enhanced thanks to subtle revisions such as the chrome radiator grille, fresh new headlight clusters as seen on the Eos plus a new bumper, while round to the rear, another redesigned set of light clusters takes pride and place along side the new look bumper. The Touran also sports some stylish new colours and fresh new interior fabrics, has grown a little by a mere 12mm in length while the width and height remain the same.

Inside the Touran has not changed much at all apart from using new material and trims including a stainless steel finish to the dials but the standard equipment has improved and all models boast air conditioning, CD player, height adjustable steering wheel with remotes for the audio and cruise control, central locking and alloy wheels.

The SE adds on 16-inch alloy wheels, an alarm and body coloured trims while the Sport gains a CD autochanger, tinted glass and rear parking sensors. Storage solutions have increased to incorporate roof mounted boxes, be careful not to fill them to much, door pockets, central armrest with concealed boxes underneath, while Row 2 sees bottle holders, elasticated pockets behind Row 1 with Row 3 having side binnacles. The seats are still easy to use by pulling the tags to tumble and fold in Row 2 thus gaining entry into Row 3 that in turn fold flush into the load space, maximising space. With all seven seats in place leaves just enough room for the bare essential shopping.

The engines remain the same, two petrol’s, a 1.4 litre TSi and a 1.6 litre 102 PS battling it out with four diesels, two versions of the 1.9 TDi either 90 or 105 PS and two 2.0 TDI with wither 140PS with optional DSG gearbox and top of the range 2.0 170PS with a Diesel Particulate Filter and optional DSG.

So what is new on the Touran? Well a few more safety features as standard, such as front side and head airbags, ABS and ESP with a counter steering feature which can reduce stopping distances by up to 10% and the piece de resistance - Park Assist. A world first, an innovative design and the Toruan is the first model in its range to have the option of Park Assist from Spring 2007.

What this cunning little device does, is to guarantee any driver to conquer the perilous task of parallel parking. So this is how it works. You are driving down the High Street for example and want to find a parking bay. So you press the switch that activates the Park Assist and it starts to look for a parking space big enough for the Touran. It beeps to tell you its found one, despite the fact your own eyes spotted it ages away, you drive slowly past the gap but not under 10 mph as Park Assist will de activate, draw level with the front car, select reverse and drive slowly back. At the crucial point, the Park Assist will automatically steer you into the bay and rear beepers will sound advising you to stop before hitting the rear car. Do not touch the steering in this process as the Park Assist will again de-activate. However, when we tested this device, it did not get too close to the kerb and in a tight row of parked cars, the Toruan would stick out. Also, it does not straighten the wheels and that can damage the car if the wheels are not straight when parked.

Since its launch back in august 2003, the VW Touran has been very successful competing in the ruthless compact MPV sector. 87% of Touran's will be fitted with a diesel engine and VW expect the 1.9TDI 105 PS to be its bestseller with a price tag of £15,275. The International launch of the VW Touran took place in Rome.

As well as driving the petrol and diesel variants, I was privy to the ecofuel variant that runs on natural gas. Well nearly, it runs on natural gas until you simply run out then reverts to petrol. Sadly the Ecofuel will not be available to the UK as we do not have the facilities nor the government backing to have such pumps, I know, its criminal don’t get me started, wait for my rant.

The nip and tuck is successful as the Touran does look better with its new enhanced looks but what I do not understand is why launch the facelift in January when the only real change or call it an asset is not available until early Spring and then as an optional extra. My guess is there are many competent drivers who can master the art of parallel parking thus have no need for Park Assist. The system is very clever, I must admit and am sure will be music to some driver ears. However, I cannot help feeling slightly insulted by a device clearly aimed at females, notoriously branded, some quite unfairly, as incompetent at parking.

But, for all those men readers who bask in taking the Mickey out of females drivers who cannot park, let me remind you why this is the case. For years men have been telling us ------------- that is 6 inches!

Jackie Violet Motoring Correspondent

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