A European VW minivan with a 51.1 mpgUS combined rating?

[xcel]

The Touran TDI should offer a touch over 40 on our own US EPA combined albeit we will never see it

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 1, 2010

Meet the new 2011 VW Touran TDI… For Europe only

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, is making the automobile more efficient with the launch of every new model. The latest example of this sustainability offensive is the new Touran. Germany’s best-selling MPV is now up to 27% more fuel-efficient – thanks to engine downsizing, innovative technologies and cleaned up aerodynamics. The 1.6L Touran TDI with BlueMotion Technology bests the 47.0 mpgUS combined rating mark for the first time, with Volkswagen’s aim for the future being to get above 51 mpgUS combined on the NEDC.

The Touran is the most successful German compact MPV and ‘the’ consummate family vehicle. Over 1.13 million units have been sold to date. Despite the impending model change, between Hamburg, Munich, Berlin and Cologne the Touran currently achieves a market share in its segment of 47 percent. Across Europe it is also one of the top five in its class.

The Touran’s new bodywork now follows the updated Volkswagen ‘design DNA’. The result is a completely new front and rear section, a restyled silhouette, especially at the back, and wheels adapted to suit. Particularly striking are the new, two-part rear light clusters and the similarly redesigned headlamps with optional bi-xenon headlights, including LED daytime running lights. From a technical point of view, its progressive systems break through class boundaries, as in the case of the new, masked continuous main beam headlights (Dynamic Light Assist), and the newly developed Park Assist 2.0 for nearly automatic parallel and diagonal parking.

A full range of six new gasoline and diesel engines leads to levels of fuel economy that were previously inconceivable from a seven-seat MPV. Setting the pace in sustainability, as mentioned above, is the Touran TDI equipped with a 103 HP TDI offering its owners an unheard of 51.1 mpgUS combined on the NEDC which easily sets a new fuel efficient best for a seven-passenger MPV.

The specification levels of this multi-purpose vehicle equipped with up to 40 storage options have been redefined. The base model is now the Touran Trendlin. Even in the lowest priced Touran features standard A/C, RCD 210 radio/CD system with MP3 function, electric windows in all four doors, elegant decorative strips in ‘Brushed Chrome’ and daytime running lights plus safety hardware including six airbags and ESP (Electronic Stabilization Program).

The Touran Comfortline includes light and rain sensors; automatic dimming rear-view mirror; chrome accents on components such as the light switch, window and mirror adjustment controls; light-absorbing side windows; comfort seats in the front; folding tables for the second row of seats and black roof rails.

The exclusive top model is the Touran Highline features in addition to those of the Comfortline, Alcantara upholstery (anyone remember Chrysler’s Corinthian Leather ), front sport seats, automatic climate control, multifunction display with color screen, leather-trimmed steering wheel with multifunction keys, 16-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails and front fog lights with chrome frames.

Now on the Touran for the first time is the RNS 315 radio/navigation system with touchscreen. Other new optional features include a panoramic tilt/slide sunroof, rear-view camera (standard with RNS 510 radio/navigation system) and the DCC adaptive chassis control system. Also new for the Touran is Light Assist – an automatic main beam control system for standard headlights and thus a ‘younger technological sister’ of the Dynamic Light Assist system developed for bi-xenon headlights. The Touran will launch in Germany in August. Over the course of the autumn, it will then gradually be introduced to markets across the globe.

Conclusions?

While we are offered at best, 20 mpg combined rated Minivans here in the US, Europe doubles the stakes with an ~ 40 + mpg combined rated (on our own 08 EPA!) minivan for the masses. Sure it is not the size of the new Ody, Sienna or Town and Country but it sure is going to be easy at the pump!

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by xcel

The Touran TDI should offer a touch over 40 on our own US EPA combined albeit we will never see it

Sad. This is a special market and nothing else could currently touch that.

Help us Prius Alpha, you're our only hope.

[MaxxMPG]

Here's another fuel efficient option that's planned for Europe but plans for a US intro are not looking so good:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/31/s...he-first-time/

It's not a minivan, but I for one would take a wagon with a few dozen cubic feet of cargo space, room for five real adults and EPA estimates of 22/35 or 24/35. Since the rest of the chassis is already US-spec, hopefully the success of the sedan will light the fire to bring us the coupe, convertible and wagon.

The VW Touran, if design-protected for US sale, needs only a good business case to bring it here. What keeps most of these excellent fuel efficient cargo haulers out of the US is the automaker's perception that they couldn't sell enough of them at a decent price (meaning without having to throw cash on the hood) to justify giving millions to the government for certification, along with the fixed costs of maintaining parts/service for the platform. When gas goes back over $4/gal, people won't be as interested in Fahrvergnugen as they are about Kraftstoffverbrauch (fuel consumption), and then the Touran would have a chance.

[aca2983]

I think the Focus-derived (S-max? C-max?) is in the pipeline, but diesel is an open question.

[noflash]

I would love more choices, but so far my money is going to the Prius MPV in the Spring of 2011. (knock on wood)

Cheers, nf

[tasdrouille]

In Europe you can get a 7 seater Dodge Journey with a VW sourced 2.0 TDI engine. Dont you think those would also be very desirable vehicles in the States?

They have those cars over there because people are willing to pay 35k for that kind of vehicle. NA car buyers are cheap.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Judging by the number of Mercedes, Lexus, BMW, Infinity, Corvette, Porsche, Hummer, Ferrari, Jaguar, Viper, Cadillac, Bentley, Land Rover, and other expensive vehicles I see on the roads everywhere I go in the US... I don't think "cheap" is the right adjective. They are almost uniformly focused on power and so haven't demanded vehicles with the amenities they want with fuel efficiency they should be getting. I attribute this to the "econobox" mentality that believes fuel economy is a byproduct of "cheap" and thus isn't to be paid for. This means that even if prospective buyers are looking for the efficiency, they won't pay for it because "more efficient is cheaper, right?"

Bah.

[scottd]

Originally Posted by xcel

[img]http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2
Meet the new 2011 VW Touran TDI… For Europe only

I'm right there with you ->

[Diesel Lover]

Touran and the VW Sharan / Ford Galaxy / Seat Alhambra (latter 3 the same vehicle for first gen models) were all amazing models. The C-Max and the S-Max with the TDCi engines are absolutely wonderful also, and I do hope that you guys get to enjoy these vehicles with diesel engines.

Also keep in mind, you can actually shove a TDI engine in a grand voyager, quite a few people online have done it. (check youtube). Takes quite a bit of work, obviously, and is a lovely alternative to being stuck with horrible gas guzzlers. Not to mention by being happy by recycling a used vehicle and giving a new lease of life, rather than buying a brand new vehicle and the carbon footprint baggage that comes with its construction.