AutoCar UK tests the Touran 2.0 TDI 140 SE

phaeton · 01-08-2007, 07:58 PM

What's new?

Not a lot. I think you'd call this finessing. There aren't huge changes to the facelifted Touran – which went on sale in the UK last week – but there have been plenty of detail tweaks to Volkswagen's five- or seven-seat compact MPV.
Visual newness stretches to new, Eos-esque headlights and chrome grille surround, different tail-lights and new bumpers front and rear. Inside, surfaces have been upgraded and switches tidied. There's steel finishing on the dials and a metallic finish to the centre console.

What's it like?

It all looks and feels pretty good, really, but the rearmost chairs (a no-cost option) are a bind to get into and short on space for all but small kids.
From spring, you'll be able to add extra protection for the Touran's new bumpers with the Park Assist system. Letting the car guide you into parallel parking spaces is an odd feeling but from our experience of it abroad, it works.
Elsewhere, the ESP/ABS has been modified to supply counter-steering – a short twitch through the wheel if it thinks some corrective lock is needed. If the system kicks in under hard mid-corner braking, Volkswagen reckons stopping distances can be reduced by up to 10 per cent.
Otherwise there are no chassis changes, so the Touran remains a respectable enough drive. The 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel in our test car was a responsive, quiet thing, mated to a slick-shifting manual gearbox. The electric power steering was light and accurate, the ride fine and refinement generally good.
Should I buy one?

Yes, if you’re after a sensible family car. But if you're looking for dynamism or tactile interaction, look elsewhere. This is pure car-as-transport worthiness.

Matt Prior
First drive data

How much?

Price when new£19,920
Price as tested£19,290

How fast?

0-62 mph10.6 sec
Max speed122 mph

How big?

Weight1561 kg

How thirsty?

Combined46.3 mpg
CO2 emissions159 g/km

Engine

Layout4 , 1968 cc
Max power138 bhp at 4000 rpm
Max torque236 lb ft at 1750 rpm

Source - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

cawimmer430 · 01-11-2007, 10:31 AM

A very nice MPV. Leave it to VW to flood the mainstream market with stylish vehicles.

Overhere in Germany, most Touran's are TDI powered. Do you get the TDI's in Australia, Phaeton?

phaeton · 01-11-2007, 03:53 PM

No Tourans here, we get the Caddy Life instead.

VW never had TDIs here in Australia but with German mastermind Jutta Dierks VGA Managing Director, Jutta's turned sales around and VW made the it in the Top Ten last year selling 21K vehicles, in 2000 it was 8k,

in 1990 it was 800.

So since VW took control of ops in 2001 VW have been on a high and have sparked a diesel revolution with TDI

Imhotep Evil · 01-11-2007, 04:05 PM

Stylish ?!

NarutoRamen · 01-11-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imhotep Evil

Stylish ?!

HA HA HA....thats exactly what I thought...LOL

cawimmer430 · 01-12-2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaeton

No Tourans here, we get the Caddy Life instead.

VW never had TDIs here in Australia but with German mastermind Jutta Dierks VGA Managing Director, Jutta's turned sales around and VW made the it in the Top Ten last year selling 21K vehicles, in 2000 it was 8k,

in 1990 it was 800.

So since VW took control of ops in 2001 VW have been on a high and have sparked a diesel revolution with TDI

Good news indeed.

Is this what your Australian VW Caddy Life looks like?

phaeton · 01-12-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

Good news indeed.

Is this what your Australian VW Caddy Life looks like?

Yes thats the one, unfortunately we don't get the Colour Concept

China does

cawimmer430 · 01-13-2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaeton

Yes thats the one, unfortunately we don't get the Colour Concept

China does

Weird though. Why is VW offering THIS and not the Touran?

phaeton · 01-13-2007, 04:54 PM

Price most likely & mini MPVs don't really sell well here

Yannis · 01-13-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imhotep Evil

Stylish ?!

For a MPV it's a stylish car indeed.

01-08-2007, 07:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
phaeton Contributor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia - South Australia Posts: 1,165 Thanks: 1,040 Thanked 453 Times in 244 Posts	AutoCar UK tests the Touran 2.0 TDI 140 SE What's new? Not a lot. I think you'd call this finessing. There aren't huge changes to the facelifted Touran – which went on sale in the UK last week – but there have been plenty of detail tweaks to Volkswagen's five- or seven-seat compact MPV. Visual newness stretches to new, Eos-esque headlights and chrome grille surround, different tail-lights and new bumpers front and rear. Inside, surfaces have been upgraded and switches tidied. There's steel finishing on the dials and a metallic finish to the centre console. What's it like? It all looks and feels pretty good, really, but the rearmost chairs (a no-cost option) are a bind to get into and short on space for all but small kids. From spring, you'll be able to add extra protection for the Touran's new bumpers with the Park Assist system. Letting the car guide you into parallel parking spaces is an odd feeling but from our experience of it abroad, it works. Elsewhere, the ESP/ABS has been modified to supply counter-steering – a short twitch through the wheel if it thinks some corrective lock is needed. If the system kicks in under hard mid-corner braking, Volkswagen reckons stopping distances can be reduced by up to 10 per cent. Otherwise there are no chassis changes, so the Touran remains a respectable enough drive. The 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel in our test car was a responsive, quiet thing, mated to a slick-shifting manual gearbox. The electric power steering was light and accurate, the ride fine and refinement generally good. Should I buy one? Yes, if you’re after a sensible family car. But if you're looking for dynamism or tactile interaction, look elsewhere. This is pure car-as-transport worthiness. Matt Prior First drive data How much? Price when new£19,920 Price as tested£19,290 How fast? 0-62 mph10.6 sec Max speed122 mph How big? Weight1561 kg How thirsty? Combined46.3 mpg CO2 emissions159 g/km Engine Layout4 , 1968 cc Max power138 bhp at 4000 rpm Max torque236 lb ft at 1750 rpm Source - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

01-11-2007, 10:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
cawimmer430 Contributor Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mühldorf am Inn, Germany Posts: 6,256 Thanks: 2,385 Thanked 1,759 Times in 835 Posts	Re: AutoCar UK tests the Touran 2.0 TDI 140 SE A very nice MPV. Leave it to VW to flood the mainstream market with stylish vehicles. Overhere in Germany, most Touran's are TDI powered. Do you get the TDI's in Australia, Phaeton?

01-11-2007, 03:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
phaeton Contributor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia - South Australia Posts: 1,165 Thanks: 1,040 Thanked 453 Times in 244 Posts	Re: AutoCar UK tests the Touran 2.0 TDI 140 SE No Tourans here, we get the Caddy Life instead. VW never had TDIs here in Australia but with German mastermind Jutta Dierks VGA Managing Director, Jutta's turned sales around and VW made the it in the Top Ten last year selling 21K vehicles, in 2000 it was 8k, in 1990 it was 800. So since VW took control of ops in 2001 VW have been on a high and have sparked a diesel revolution with TDI

01-11-2007, 04:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Imhotep Evil Devotee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,898 Thanks: 256 Thanked 154 Times in 116 Posts	Re: AutoCar UK tests the Touran 2.0 TDI 140 SE Stylish ?!

01-13-2007, 04:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
phaeton Contributor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia - South Australia Posts: 1,165 Thanks: 1,040 Thanked 453 Times in 244 Posts	Re: AutoCar UK tests the Touran 2.0 TDI 140 SE Price most likely & mini MPVs don't really sell well here

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