Volkswagen TOURAN 2.0-LITRE FSI
At The Top End Of The
Mini-MPV Market, Volkswagens Touran 2.0-Litre FSi Looks A Safe Bet. Steve Ghosley Checks The Odds.
When
Volkswagen introduced the Touran, they confounded the opposition by leaving the choice of seating capacity to the customer. This meant that the Touran could not be defined as either a five seater or a seven seater but, more importantly, as a mini-MPV that could be whatever the customer required. A simple solution and one that no other manufacturer had yet stumbled upon. Mini-MPVs like the Touran find themselves performing any number of roles from family transporter to mini-cab as well as part-time removal van, so by offering a flexible seating and load carrying layout, Volkswagen are able to satisfy most requirements with one vehicle.
Whilst the seating and load carrying combination is all important in this sector of the market, so too is the power unit required to shift the loads, be they human, material or a combination of both. Volkswagen offer two petrol engines along with one diesel in the Touran range and it is the more powerful 2.0-litre FSi petrol unit that we look at here. Available in SE and Sport trim levels only, the 2.
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0-litre FSi has only one choice of transmission, this being a six-speed manual box. The choice of engine for a
mini-MPV will largely depend on how the car is to be used and the customers personal preference for either petrol or diesel power. The 2.0-litre FSi petrol unit offers 148bhp and a sharp turn of speed, sprinting from 0 to 62mph in 10.
5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 125mph where the laws allow. Performance figures like these, however, are a little meaningless for a vehicle like the Touran where the main emphasis tends to be on economy and motorway cruising speeds. In this regard the Touran 2.0-litre FSi returns a very commendable average 34.
9mpg and can run all day at UK motorway speeds without getting ruffled in any way at all. The FSi engine is a little special too, sporting a high-pressure fuel line mounted on the side of the cylinder head, an approach often dubbed common rail, which injects fuel straight into the combustion chamber. The shape of the pistons and the clever working of the valves make the air tumble, thus creating more efficient combustion. The overall effect is to produce more power while at the same time creating a leaner burn and fuel-efficient engine.
"its an up market choice full stop, the Touran very definitely campaigning in the upper sector of the mini-MPV market" The Touran 2.0 FSi SE opens at £18,060 with the 2.0 FSi Sport version coming in at £19,510. Neither of these vehicles is cheap, with
Volkswagen positioning the Touran at the premium end of the market.
That being said, this car is extremely well bolted together and the interior design is typical of what we have come to expect from Volkswagen, with simple well designed controls just where you would expect them to be, along with safe and conservative styling. Its exactly what youd imagine a Volkswagen mini-MPV to look like - neat, understated, but ultimately a little safe. This is probably a good idea in a market where conservative design sells. Certainly, the 2.
0-litre FSi Touran models are very up market choices thanks to their sophisticated engine. In fact, this mini-MPV represents an upmarket choice full stop. Given that
Vauxhall,
Renault and
Citroen are cleaning up sales-wise in the lower end of this sector, you can see Volkswagens reasoning in thinking that there has to be a niche for something a bit pricier with a high-tech engine, a feeling of quality and a decently screwed together interior. The SE trim level includes standard safety features such as driver and front passenger airbags, side impact airbags and curtain airbags.
Volkswagens Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) and ABS brakes keep the Touran on the straight and narrow and 16-inch Imola alloy wheels enhance the rather plain exterior. The SE package is completed with electric windows and a radio/CD player with eight speakers. The Sport trim level features in addition to the SE front sport seats with height and lumbar adjustment, 16-inch Hockenhiem alloy wheels and two-zone electronic climate control. The Tourans seating system is certainly flexible.
The rearmost pair of seats, whilst only really suitable for kiddies, can fold flat into the floor which means that for most of the time, youll have an easily accessible and spacious luggage bay. You can even fold the middle
seat of the middle row, making a four seater that can transport long items like skis with supreme ease. All three of the middle seats slide backwards and forwards on separate runners. Quick release levers take care of seat removal and its good to see seats that dont weigh a tonne.
With 39 separate storage areas around the cabin, you may need to make a mental checklist of what you left where. Included in that number are under seat trays to keep valuables out of sight, three fold-down roof mounted cubbies, a rear under floor bin and more cup holders than the Real Madrid trophy room. Pockets in all four doors can accept a litre bottle and there are the usual MPV accoutrements such as seat backs that double as tables and aircraft-style fold down trays. Access to the rearmost set of seats is refreshingly easy due to the thoughtful way the middle row flips and slides forward.
The Touran 2.0-litre FSi is not a cheap option and could never compete on price with the likes of the Renault Scenic, Citroen Xsara Picasso and Vauxhall Zafira. But then it doesnt have to. The Touran 2.
0-litre FSi is almost in a different class. Just because your lifestyle demands a mini-MPV doesnt mean that you have to give up a bit of class and quality.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Touran 2.0 FSi range
PRICES: £18,060 - £19,510 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 9
CO2 EMISSIONS: 198g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 125mph / 0-60mph 10.4s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 25.7mpg (Urban) 44.1mpg (Extra Urban) 34.9mpg (Combined)
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Six airbags / ABS with brake assist / ESP
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4390/1790/1650mm
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