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- This is how the VW Sharan manages the invisible facelift
- All-wheel drive is by no means for everyone
- No longer a van, but a crossover
- Apple and Android are arriving
- A wrong impression
- BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is a space miracle
This is how the VW Sharan manages the invisible facelift
At dealerships in July: the revamped VW Sharan, which drives up with a range of new assistance systems from the Golf
Source: Volkswagen / SPS
Among the large vans, the VW Sharan is one of the most successful models. Now the family friend should even contribute to the fact that the forgotten segment grows again – although it hardly changes externally.
D.he last of its kind, you could almost say about the VW Sharan. At least the big van from Wolfsburg is one of the last successful models in a vehicle type that seems to be on the decline after its hype sometime in the nineties.
There is still the Ford Galaxy or the pioneer Espace, which Renault is currently sending into the fifth generation that has mutated into a crossover. And the identical offshoot of the Sharan, the Seat Alhambra. But that was almost it.
In this select group, the Sharan, in its second generation since 2010, is still the best-selling car in Germany. Now VW has given the five- to seven-seater a facelift that you can hardly tell from the outside.
As is typical of the brand’s design policy, the facelift is anything but thick. Only the vehicle lights have been redesigned and the interior has been upgraded with a few decorative elements. An almost invisible facelift.
All-wheel drive is by no means for everyone
A lot has happened technically for this. The new generation of engines known from Golf and Co. is available for the drive: This means that the entire engine range of the Sharan is converted to Euro 6 units. The new engines are said to consume up to 15 percent less fuel.
There is a choice of two petrol engines with 150 hp and 220 hp and three diesel engines. While the basic diesel engine continues to deliver 115 hp, the other two will have 150 hp and 184 hp in the future. With the exception of the weakest diesel, all engines can also be combined with a dual clutch transmission. The 150-hp diesel is optionally available with all-wheel drive, and later maybe the large diesel engine.
No longer a van, but a crossover
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Home game for Carlos Ghosn: The CEO of Renault-Nissan presents the new Renault Espace at the Paris Salon.
Source: REUTERS / JNA / JS /
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The family van has become a classic for the French automaker.
Source: REUTERS / JNA / SAA /
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The new model just does a bit on SUVs or, as it has recently been called, crossovers.
Source: Renault / SPS
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With lavishly shaped wheel arches, a beefy body with an angular front end…
Source: Renault / SPS
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…and an extremely sleek roof line pulled backwards.
Source: Renault / SPS
For the reduced thirst for fuel, the large-capacity van learns to sail. In this economical mode of operation, the optional dual clutch transmission, which is available for all engines with the exception of the small diesel, helps, which now automatically decouples from the engine when the accelerator is released.
The van also inherits the assistance systems from the Golf. These include a distance keeping cruise control with city emergency braking function, a blind spot warning and an exit assistant that warns of cross traffic when reversing out of a parking space.
Apple and Android are arriving
Almost all systems cost extra, only the emergency brake assistant for city traffic is standard, which also contains a multi-collision brake, which brings the vehicle to a standstill after a collision and is intended to prevent subsequent accidents.
Wolfsburg elegance: The cockpit of the revised VW Sharan is typically plain, but not unadorned
Source: Volkswagen / SPS
The on-board infotainment has been heavily modernized. As an option, the van can now be equipped with the App Connect package, which allows the mobile phone screen to be mirrored on the on-board touchscreen. And the operating systems Apple Carplay and Android Auto from Google are finding their way into the van.
Volkswagen has not yet announced prices before the Sharan‘s premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March and orders will start in around two months. The revamped Sharan is unlikely to be more expensive than the previous model, which is in the price list at just under 31,000 euros.
A wrong impression
A little cheaper is the largely identical Seat Alhambra, which will receive a comparable facelift in summer. The Wolfsburg large-capacity van will be available from dealers from July.
BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is a space miracle
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With the new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, BMW is opening a new vehicle segment.
Source: BMW
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With its generous amount of space and its versatility, the BMW is the first car in the premium compact class with up to seven seats.
Source: BMW
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Five turbo engines and all-wheel drive are available for the market launch.
Source: BMW
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It measures 4.57 meters in length, 1.80 meters in width and 1.61 meters in height….
Source: BMW
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…and is front-wheel drive like the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.
Source: BMW
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There are many storage options inside. There is a large compartment in front of the center console for smartphones, glasses or keys. In addition, the area under the Mittela is also…Armrest between the front seats can be fully used as storage space.
Source: BMW
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The new “myKIDIO” app is intended to make longer trips more bearable for children. The app provides child and family-friendly content such as series, films, books or… Radio plays made available on tablet computers for the passengers in the rear.
Source: BMW
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The foldable trays on the front seats are practical.
Source: BMW
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The new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is flexible with the optional third row of seats.
Source: BMW
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The screen for infotainment and navigation is enthroned on the dashboard.
Source: BMW
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The Gran Tourer has a large trunk that can be expanded from 645 to 805 liters. With the rear seat backs folded down, there is even a trunk volume of up to 1905 liters… disposal.
Source: BMW
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A rear bench that can be moved lengthways as standard – with a 40:20:40 split backrest that can be folded down at the push of a button – on which three child seats can be fitted, brings a lot of variability…at.
Source: BMW
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The third row of seats can be fully lowered into the loading floor.
Source: BMW
At the moment there is no longer any talk of discontinuing the series soon, as was discussed in the group just under a year ago. "There is currently no talk of", said series spokeswoman Daniele Heuser.
And the fact that the segment of people carriers is on the decline is a wrong impression: “They always say that everything is going in the direction of SUVs, but the segment of people carriers has remained stable worldwide over the years. And in Europe it should even grow again. ”That was found out in the course of an investigation.
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