Volkswagen Touran Spied Testing in the U.S. Mini-minivan or Wagon?

2016 volkswagen touran spied testing in Nevada

Photographs show the Volkswagen Touran testing in Nevada. If you don’t recognize the Touran, think of the Mazda5. Could this be a right-size wagon that offers more space than the Golf SportWagen and possibly fill the void left by the Routan’s exit?

While the Mazda5 hasn’t been officially confirmed by Mazda as being cancelled in North America, Automotive News reports that the 6-passenger minivan will be removed from Mazda’s line-up after 2015. Volkswagen probably sees an opportunity with the Touran, a tall wagon-ish, mini-minivan, for buyers looking for an alternative to the crossover and something with sliding doors. Having sold more than 1.9 million units worldwide since going on sale in 2003, the Touran is a heavy hitter for VW.

Volkswagen revealed the next-generation 2016 Touran at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The mid-size MPV is built on the same MQB platform as the Golf and 19 percent more fuel efficient than the outgoing model. Powertrain details for the U.S. market have not been announced, but UK buyers get a choice of two gasoline engines and three diesel engines mated with either a manual or automatic transmission. We can guess the larger 170 horsepower turbocharged TSI gasoline engine and 2.0-liter turbo-diesel could be the engine choices for the Touran. Then it would an easy job for VW getting the Touran to pass NHTSA safety standards and certifying it to meet EPA regulations.
2016 volkswagen touran spied testing in Nevada

The third generation Touran is bigger than its predecessor, but smaller than the demised Routan. The European-styled 2016 VW Touran is now better suited to fit the demands of an American family than a rebadged Chrysler. The new Touran comes with seats that are lighter and fold flat, is complemented by modern safety and technology advances, and is available in the UK and Europe as 5-passenger or 7-passenger configurations.

The mini-minivan also has driver assistance systems (Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Traffic Assist, Pre-crash Proactive Occupant Protection, Adaptive Cruise Control and Park Assist). The new infotainment system includes MirrorLink, Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Buyers have at their disposal a number of benefits that increase comfort in operation vehicles, such as opening the tailgate assist sensors – with just a wave foot under the rear bumper. There will be an R Line package with extensive equipment and more attractive exterior, and later variants are expected with 4MOTION all-wheel drive. It just remains to be seen if VW will make all of the cool stuff available to the US buyers.

The new 2016 VW Touran goes on sale starting this September in Europe and the UK. Until the official announcement from the folks at Volkswagen is released, here is the new 2015 VW Golf SportWagen being hammered on the track by Nathan Adlen.

Our gratitude extends to Marcin P. who spied the Touran roaming about in Nevada.