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March 6, 2015
Volkswagen Golf Touran | Test Drive Review
Volkswagen Golf Touran｜フォルクスワーゲン ゴルフ トゥーラン
The Refreshed, New Minivan (1)
The "Touran," long-established as a Golf-based minivan, has undergone a facelift. Journalist Fumio Ogawa test-drove the reborn model, which boasts a refined design and high practicality.
By Fumio Ogawa
Spacious Interior with Highly Functional Design
The Volkswagen Golf Touran (hereafter Touran) is a three-row, seven-seater minivan. It features a front-wheel-drive system powered by a 1.4-liter twin-charger engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission. This iteration receives a facelift in line with the Golf family, giving its front mask a more determined look.
The Touran (¥2.93 million) measures 4,405mm (195mm longer than the Golf) in length, 1,790mm (same as the Golf) in width, and 1,670mm (185mm taller than the Golf) in height. Its 2,675mm wheelbase is 100mm longer than that of the Golf and Golf Variant, enabling a spacious interior and a higher seating position.
The Touran's most distinctive feature is its seating arrangement: two in the first row, three in the second, and two in the third. In Germany, it's also used for shuttle services. The second-row seats are removable, and the third-row seats fold flat into the floor. Its functional design, typical of European engineering, is outstanding.
"Minivans remain popular in the Japanese market, with few high-quality imported models available. In this context, Volkswagen aims to make a strong showing with the Touran and the larger, sliding-door equipped Sharan," explains a spokesperson for Volkswagen Group Japan, detailing the company's aspirations for the Touran.
"Volkswagen's strengths lie in high driving stability and excellent fuel economy, aspects that Japanese minivan users may have resigned themselves to compromising on. By meeting these needs, we aim for the Touran and Sharan to be considered as new options alongside domestic rivals. In fact, they possess considerable competitiveness against other manufacturers," the spokesperson added.
Volkswagen Golf Touran｜フォルクスワーゲン ゴルフ トゥーラン
The Refreshed, New Minivan (2)
A Refined Cabin and a Powerful TSI Engine
The Touran's seating position is higher than the Golf's, with a slightly reclined steering wheel, striking a balance between a large minivan and a passenger car. The engine cleverly utilizes both a supercharger for low-end torque and a turbocharger for higher RPMs. With 220Nm of maximum torque available from 1,250rpm, the engine smoothly propels the 1,580kg body. Reaching 100km/h on the highway feels instantaneous.
The ride comfort is excellent. The substantial weight of the vehicle contributes to a smooth, settled feel. Furthermore, noise from the engine bay and wind noise are kept to a minimum. The interior materials, such as leather and Alcantara, are of high quality, creating an overall impression of increased luxury. While it's a practical car for those who frequently transport large items, its greatest asset is the comfortable environment it provides for passengers.
However, the substantial body weight does have its drawbacks. The increased inertia, combined with a suspension setup biased towards comfort, leads to a slight tendency to understeer on winding roads. While few would likely purchase the Touran primarily for spirited driving, its moderate agility in urban settings is certainly appealing.
Another minor point of concern is the DSG transmission. There can be a noticeable delay when engaging gears, particularly when shifting between drive and reverse. A brief pause occurs before the gear engages and torque is transmitted, and accelerating before this delay is complete can result in jerky, uncomfortable movements. While this characteristic of the DSG may be a matter of adjustment for the driver, it's not a significant drawback.
With its manageable body size, practical styling, and excellent fuel economy (easily capable of a round trip between Tokyo and Hakone on a single tank), it scores highly as a functional vehicle. It is a minivan with a clear purpose.
The Sharan, a larger sibling to the Touran, is scheduled for release in February 2011. Its body measures 4,855mm in length, 1,910mm in width, and 1,750mm in height, built on a 2,920mm wheelbase. The engine features a large-diameter turbocharger producing a maximum output of 150ps. It also offers three rows and seven seats, with unique features like sliding second-row seats. We look forward to reporting on it after a test drive.
Volkswagen Golf Touran｜フォルクスワーゲン ゴルフ トゥーラン
Body | Length 4,405 x Width 1,795 x Height 1,670mm
Engine | 1.4L Inline 4-cylinder + Supercharger & Turbocharger
Max Output | 103kW (140ps) / 5,600rpm
Max Torque | 220Nm (22.4kgm) / 1,250-4,000rpm
Drivetrain | FWD
Transmission | 6-speed DSG
10-15 Mode Fuel Economy | 14.6km/ℓ
CO2 Emissions | 159g/km
Price | ¥2.93 million
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