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| VW Touran |
Broadcast
dates : 20th June 2004
24th June 2004 |
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 Right now the MPV or
Multi-Purpose Vehicle is the New Deal as far as family motoring is
concerned. It seems as if every month there are new models on
the MPV scene from the likes of Renault, Toyota, Peugeot and
others.
One of the latest arrivals is from Volkswagen. And as far as
Volkswagen is concerned, there is nothing new about MPVs.
In fact the original Volkswagen Kombi can lay claim to being
the prototype MPV. Based on the Volkswagen Beetle chassis, the
first air-cooled, rather asthmatic Kombi was actually launched
in 1950.
Like the original Kombi, the Touran is based on a modern
popular car, and in this case it is the new-generation
Volkswagen Golf.
One of the design briefs for the new Touran was that it should
be not much longer than the estate version of the Golf, so the
extra space had to be found in width and height.
MPVs like the Touran are an obvious choice as a family car.
They are particularly popular amongst women drivers with
children.
One of the features that women drivers enjoy is the elevated
seating position of MPVs.
And there is a definite trend where MPVs are replacing
less-wieldy four-by-fours as family cars in the household, as
they offer the same high vantage point, but easier parking and
much better fuel consumption than 4X4s.
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