The first generation of the Touran enters the market in 2003. The compact van, designed from scratch, quickly becomes a shooting star in a booming vehicle segment. Even then, the VW Touran shows itself to be a multivariable family, leisure and business car with high quality and good all-round characteristics typical of the brand. “More than a family car” is the fitting slogan for the market launch on 14 March 2003. Manufactured by the VW subsidiary Auto 5000 GmbH in Wolfsburg, which was founded in 2001, the Touran is a major job creator for Lower Saxony. More than 3,500 new employees are being systematically qualified, creating additional jobs in Germany as an industrial location. With an innovative strategy that includes new working models, modern production facilities and efficient sales and logistics concepts, Volkswagen’s competitiveness as a manufacturer in Germany is proven.
As a typical Volkswagen, the Touran is not only impressive on a large scale, but also on a small scale: with up to 39 storage options, you’re guaranteed to be able to keep things in order. Practical folding tables in the rear are a particular delight for the youngsters. The fold-down passenger seat back, on the other hand, can also be used as a mobile office desk. The multitude of clever ideas makes the Touran unique in its segment. It inspires families just as much as athletes and field workers with more space requirements. And of course, the Touran is not just clear and confident, but also places great emphasis on a high level of essential safety. For superior occupant protection, its laser-welded and fully galvanised body comes from the factory with an armada of state-of-the-art safety features: Driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags and front head airbags, as well as active head restraints and ESC electronic stability control.
Right from the start, the Touran impresses with outstanding features. Designed on the same platform as Wolfsburg’s best-selling Golf, the approximately 4.40-metre-long Touran becomes the new benchmark in its class: superior functionality, an enormous amount of space with up to seven seats and excellent driving characteristics make all the difference. As usual for a genuine Volkswagen, the Touran impresses with perfect ergonomics. The details of the operating concept previously tested in the Golf have been refined for the van concept. Luggage compartment volume and variability exceed the typical offerings of its class: the five-seater offers 695 litres as standard, which can be expanded to up to 1,989 litres by removing the three individual seats in row two, each weighing only 17 kilograms. As a seven-seater, this leaves a storage volume of at least 121 litres. But it is not only volume and variability that make the Touran enormously practical. Its payload of over 660 kilograms also sets new standards and shows that you can still take quite a bit with you in the Touran.
Volkswagen is well aware that every customer has unique needs. That is why Volkswagen offers a wide range of engine options for the Touran. Its broad range covers a spectrum from 66 kW (90 PS) to a dynamic 125 kW (170 PS) engine output. In addition to proven and always exceptionally economical petrol and TDI diesel engines, a particularly environmentally friendly CNG model EcoFuel is also offered. Depending on the individual customer’s wishes, the Touran of the time is offered with a clean-and-simple, emphatically dynamic or discreetly luxurious touch: the Conceptline, Trendline and Highline equipment lines also offer a wide range of optional customisation options. The possible equipment spectrum ranges from sophisticated two-tone leather packages, premium infotainment systems with navigation function and DVD entertainment in the rear, to practical bicycle racks and age-appropriate child seat solutions.
In 2007, Volkswagen achieves a special coup with the strikingly designed CrossTouran. The new model variant masterfully takes into account the increasingly strong trend towards crossover models with an off-road look. A discreet twelve-millimetre suspension lift for additional ground clearance, striking wheel arch extensions, upbeat colours and exclusive polished alloy wheels turn the CrossTouran into the perfect lifestyle vehicle. The diversity of variants, which is unique in the segment, is a decisive building block for Touran’s strong sales success throughout Europe. In Germany, the Touran is the first choice among private and commercial customers: from 2004 to 2011, it is continuously the best-selling car in its segment. Extensive product upgrades in 2006 and 2010 ensured that the first generation of the Touran not only blended harmoniously into the current Volkswagen design language, but also remained technically up to date.
In spring 2015, after 1.9 million units have been sold, a completely redesigned Touran generation is launched. Like the seventh-generation Golf, the new model is based on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB). Around 13 centimetres more in length and three centimetres more in width than its predecessor are evidence of the growing demands of customers and developers. An extremely generous wheelbase of 2,786 millimetres makes a noticeably larger, multivariable interior possible. The unladen weight has been reduced: through innovative lightweight construction, 62 kilograms can be saved compared to the predecessor. Also new: a choice of six new engines, plus advanced assist and infotainment systems. The Touran once again proves itself to be a multifunctional space miracle: as a five-seater, its enormous luggage compartment volume ranges from 743 litres to 1,980 litres, with a maximum load length of 2.70 metres. And for the small but no less important everyday companions, there are up to 47 additional practical storage spaces.
The interplay of optimised aerodynamics, start/stop system and a recovery mode further improve the Touran’s economy. The available TSI petrol engines with 81 kW (110 PS) to 132 kW (180 PS), as well as the diesels (TDI) with 81 kW (110 PS) to 140 kW (190 PS) are more dynamic and up to 19 percent more economical. A new feature in the class is the digitalisation of the assist and infotainment systems, which until now has only been available in higher vehicle classes. In addition to multi-collision braking as standard, there is also the option of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), the Front Assist system including city emergency braking function, Traffic Jam Assist, a proactive occupant protection system, Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert and, for trailer drivers, the innovative Trailer Assist system. Everyday life is made more comfortable by numerous features of the automotive luxury class: the Touran can be conveniently upgraded with extras such as massage seats, an electric boot lid with the Easy Open function, as well as powerful LED headlights. And Volkswagen has also thought of allergy sufferers: the optional PureAir 3 zone automatic air conditioner ensures clean air thanks to special filters.
