|
Volkswagen’s BlueMotion
range of vehicles has expanded
with the addition of the Touran
and Sharan people carriers –
which are among the most
efficient seven-seater vehicles
on the market.
BlueMotion represents the most
efficient model in each of
Volkswagen’s passenger car
ranges and combines a series of
small changes to the vehicle’s
body, drivetrain, engine and
even the tyres in order to
reduce strain on the engine and,
in turn, reduce emissions and
increase economy.
Both vehicles feature subtly
redesigned grille elements with
the air ducts redirected to
allow the usual airdams to be
blanked-off and allow for
smoother airflow over the front
of the vehicle. The ride height
is also lowered to reduce drag.
Other visual and practical
changes include the adoption of
hard compound tyres to decrease
rolling resistance and the
addition of small BlueMotion
badges on the grille and
tailgate.
A
revised gearbox with lengthened
ratios in third, fourth and
fifth gears is linked to a
highly efficient 1.9-litre,
four-cylinder 105 PS engine
fitted with a new variable
turbocharger to further increase
efficiency in the Touran and a
2.0-litre 140 PS TDI in the
Sharan. An oxidation catalyst
and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
are also added to reduce oxides
of nitrogen and carbon particles
to almost zero.
The result is a combined fuel
economy figure of 52.3 mpg for
the Touran BlueMotion and 47.1
mpg for the Sharan BlueMotion.
Carbon dioxide emissions are
reduced to 144 g/km for the
Touran and 159 g/km for the
Sharan.
As
with the conventional Touran or
Sharan the BlueMotion vehicles
feature seven individual seats,
the rearmost of which on the
Touran can be folded flat into
the boot floor. Despite the
keen focus on economy both
vehicles retain a comprehensive
list of standard equipment,
including six airbags, ABS, a CD
stereo and air conditioning.
Both vehicles are now on sale
with prices starting at £16,725
for the Touran and £21,290 RRP
on the road for the Sharan
BlueMotion.
Touran and Sharan
BlueMotion pricing
|
Model |
Combined
economy, mpg |
CO2,
g/km |
RRP OTR |
|
Touran BlueMotion S |
52.3 |
144 |
£16,725 |
|
Touran BlueMotion SE |
52.3 |
144 |
£18,800 |
|
Sharan BlueMotion S |
47.1 |
159 |
£21,290 |
|
