VW Touran - First Pictures And Specs!
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Wolfsburg, Germany, November 8, 2002; Autoindex previews the Volkswagen Touran: first pictures and facts about the five to seven seat interior of the versatile compact vanNew 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 favour 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.
Touran Interior I: the driver and front-passenger area
Like all the seats in the Touran, the driver's and front-passenger seats are distinguished by their well-balanced ergonomic characteristics. The seats are of a completely new concept. Compared to a conventional passenger car, they provide a slightly higher seating position (631 mm) a seat-to-roof dimension of 1,020 mm, which gives the occupant a relaxed, uncramped feeling. Front, side and curtain airbags are fitted as standard to protect the driver and the front passenger. If children are travelling in a rearward-facing child seat fitted in the front, the passenger-side airbag system can also be deactivated via switch in the glove compartment, which is operated by a key. An easily visible warning light between the central ventilation outlets verifies that they are deactivated.
Of great practical use are the many stowage spaces in the front seating area. For example, there is a stowage box and a draw (from the Trendline version up) for larger utensils under the driver and front passenger seats. Above the instrument panel there is another box whose contents are protected from curious looks by a flap. Additional stowage space is provided in the form of a large roof console with three compartments.
A further locking stowage compartment is integrated under the armrest in the centre console between the driver's and front passenger seats. Just as easily accessible: the large stowage compartments in the doors with space for a 1-litre bottle or a road atlas. Another compartment underneath the radio console, two cup holders next to the handbrake and the glove compartment, which is cooled via the air-conditioning system, complete the package and underline its all-round suitability for everyday use.
Moreover, all essential interior components - from the cockpit to the door trims and the control elements have all been newly developed. Wherever the driver comes across familiar elements, for example the headlight switch, sophisticated detail solutions were consciously selected, whose basic function can be operated intuitively, without having to relearn the function. This principle is typical for Volkswagen, as is the highly functional layout of new control elements. For example, the ventilation and air-conditioning system: a completely new, self-explanatory control concept was developed for the ventilation function and for the optional / equipment-dependent air-conditioning systems (Climatic / Climatronic including separately controllable air conditioning for driver and front passenger)
Touran Interior II: the second row of seats
The three single seats in the second row are positioned next to one another and weigh less than 16 kilograms each. Just a few movements are needed to adjust them in either fore/aft or sideways directions, fold them or remove them. Because of the high seating position (676 mm), they also offer excellent long-distance comfort regardless of the occupant's height. The seat-to-roof dimension here is 989 mm.
The attention to detail is continued in the second row of seats. Pockets and folding table, including cup holders in the backrests of the driver's and front passenger seats (from the Trendline version up), the middle seat that can also be used as a table, stowage compartments in floor in front of the seats and large stowage compartments in the doors (also with a holder for a 1-litre bottle) will happily cope even if need to take your children's favourite toys along.
And those who wants to play with these toys will be given the best possible protection on board the Touran. The second row is also fitted with curtain airbags. All three seats have three-point seat belts and head restraints. The two outer seats also have "isofix" fixtures for securing the corresponding child seats. The higher seating position not only gives a better view, but also makes it much easier for parents to fasten their children's seat belts. Small and large passengers alike can make use of the special cup holder in the rear section of the centre console, which can also be used to hold a large drinking bottle.
Touran Interior III: the third row of seats
If required, the Touran can also be fitted with a third row of seats. When they are not in use, the two high-quality single seats can quickly be lowered into the floor of the vehicle.
Three-point seat belts and head restraints that can be fully extended are of course also fitted here. The head restraints can be securely and neatly stowed away in a separate compartment in the floor of the luggage compartment before the seats in the third row are lowered.
A glance at the area of the third row of seats reveals that together with the boxes and pockets in the front two rows of seats, the total cumber of stowage spaces in the Touran is 39, depending on the equipment fitted. Here too there are locking stowage compartments and cup holders in the side trims, a stowage space in the side wall of the luggage compartment and in the floor of the luggage compartment. Even the warning triangle has its own space - in the trim of the tailgate, where it can easily be reached even when the vehicle is fully laden. A net and hooks for bags on the side wall, and an easy-to-operate luggage compartment cover (from the Trendline version up) round off the picture of a new type of automobile, an automobile that has been developed with no ifs or buts to be absolutely suited to everyday use. Not only that. With the 7-seater, the alternative possibility has also been created to position the luggage compartment cover behind the third row of seats.
Variability and extremely efficient versatility also distinguish the luggage compartment. In the classic 5-seat configuration, the luggage compartment is capable of holding of 695 litres, with a payload of 660 kilograms. Even as a 7-seater, the Touran has a capacity of 121 litres. When all seats in the second row are removed and those in the third row lowered, the maximum load volume becomes an impressive 1,913 litres, or 1,989 litres for the 5-seater version.
Volkswagen will market the Touran with three equipment lines (Basic, Trendline, Highline) and - when it is launched - with one petrol and three diesel engines. All of these engines feature direct-injection technology. The extremely efficient petrol engine bears the designation "1.6 FSI" and generates 85 kW. The output spectrum of the diesel engines starts at 74 kW (1.9-ltr. TDI). This is supplemented by the newly developed 100-kW 2.0-ltr. TDI with 4-valve technology. In the course of 2003, two other petrol engines will follow. Volkswagen attaches particular importance to the best possible emissions characteristics. All engines meet the limits stipulated in the emissions standard EU4.