The Volkswagen Touran

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News of November 13, 2002

The Volkswagen Touran

Family-friendly interior concept with innovative system of single seats
Interior developed for best-possible suitability in everyday use

Volkswagen Touran

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 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

Photos: VW

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.

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.

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.

(Nov. 07, 2002)

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