Volkswagen is following the World Green Car of the Year Award for its BlueMotion line with another entrant to that green-vehicle series. The automaker is highlighting the Volkswagen Touran BlueMotion alongside a handful of other Touran trims at the Auto Mobil International at Leipzig. This latest generation of the Touran builds off the model’s success in Germany, where it holds 50% of the multi-purpose vehicle market. Volkswagen is hoping that the Touran BlueMotion can add to the more than one million Touran units sold throughout Europe.
Volkswagen’s newest Touran design is available with eight engine options. The most basic engine available for the Touran is a 1.2-liter TSI gas engine with a fuel economy rating of 36 miles per gallon. The VW Touran can be outfitted with a 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine with a projected fuel economy of 46 miles per gallon. The Touran BlueMotion featuring regenerative braking, start/stop system and 1.4-liter engine achieves 51 miles per gallon. Volkswagen is also promoting an EcoFuel engine system that can operate entirely on compressed natural gas (CNG).
No matter which engine is used, the Volkswagen Touran incorporates several features that blend high fuel economy with driving comfort. Volkswagen adapted the design of grills, wheel wells and rear-view mirrors to reduce drag at high speeds. The Park Assist 2.0 feature uses cameras and sensors to help drivers fit into the tightest of parking spaces. The Dynamic Light Assist system added to the new Touran automatically switches between high beams and standard lights. This light system uses proximity sensors to determine if the coast is clear for high beams.
As mentioned last week, Volkswagen is looking to build off the latest plaudits for the BlueMotion line and expand its market share in Europe and beyond. The Touran BlueMotion and its natural gas, diesel and gasoline counterparts show that Volkswagen can appeal to a broad spectrum of consumers. By offering eight engine types, Volkswagen is attempting to sell the Touran to first-time buyers and gear heads alike. The incorporation of innovative features like Dynamic Light Assist into the Touran appeals to the typical driver’s desire for cutting edge auto technology. We will need to see how the Touran BlueMotion is priced but Volkswagen’s successful penetration into the MPV market gives hope to budget-conscious buyers.
