Sharan-Roll: Volkswagen introduced a new minivan

Minivan Volkswagen Sharan is available for 15 years. It's time for him to retire. In Geneva, Volkswagen showed an heir. He now has to be royalty - just as translated from Farsi minivan: "Carrier of Kings". To somehow resist the European bestseller Renault Espace, Volkswagen Group in the early 90's had to merge with Ford. Americans developed the exterior and interior of the new minivan, and the Germans but know technical issues. In 1995 the Portuguese factory in Palmela began production of twins Volkswagen Sharan and Ford Galaxy. A year later it was added to the poor relative of the Seat Alhambra - through the worst of the car and cost less. Machine to distinguish between "snouts" and a different set of engines and have proven to be quite reliable family minivan. Not without flaws, of course, but most childhood diseases could be cured in the manufacturing process. In 2005, Ford came out of the agreement and launched a new minivan Galaxy on their own. Sharan and Alhambra remained. Folksvagenovsky estate has survived two easy upgrades in 2000 and 2003, and all this time somehow stop up the gap between Monocab Touran and Multivan. And for 15 years, sold 600 thousand copies. But wishing to purchase Sharan gets smaller. For example, in Russia in 2007, sold only 170 of these machines, and next year - 87, then delivery Sharan stopped. For comparison, in 2008, the new Ford Galaxy has sold 1,098 cars, and became the second most popular minivan in the segment. And the first line became "Car of the Year 2007» Ford S-Max (2637 cars). A new generation of Sharan minivan capable of a serious competitor to Ford models. New passatovskoy built on the platform. It is longer than the old Sharan by as much as 220 mm (4854), 92 mm wider (1902) and 12 mm below the (1750). Wheelbase stretched by 75 millimeters, up to 2920 mm. Thus, the new Sharan is superior to most competitors in terms of size, yielding, perhaps, the Giants like the Chrysler Grand Voyager and the SsangYong Rodius. Polnorazmerniki Ford S-Max (4768h1884h1658) and Galaxy (4820h1884h1691), as well as the Kia Carnival (4810h1985h1750) less folksvagenovskogo minivan. Appearance - a new folksvagenovskom style: solid, but boring. The main advantage over competitors not Sharan in design and a wide sliding doors on each side. Therefore, it is more convenient for passengers to leave the car, especially in tight parking spaces. As an option, you can order the electric doors, including the back. Sliding doors can boast Kia Carnival and Chrysler Voyager. Korean, though, is the most affordable polnorazmernikom on the market (from 849 900 rubles), in third place ranking in the class, but no longer young, and the popularity lags far behind Ford's minivan. And Americans, unfortunately, is too expensive. For roominess and organization of internal space folksvagenovsky new minivan could give competitors a head start. The second row of seats, for example, can move back and forth at 160 mm, as a new Touareg. In addition, you can change the slope and backs. To turn the Sharan in a cargo van, now do not have to remove the heavy chair. The seats of the third and second rows fold flush with the floor, forming a flat loading area depth 2.1 meters. The maximum amount of luggage - 2,297 liters. And if you put only the third series, then you can put 1,167 liters of luggage when loaded on the roof. Previous Sharan was more spacious - it placed the maximum 2,610 liters of cargo. But the Ford S-Max (1051-2000 L) and Galaxy (1130-2325 L) inferior Volkswagen of spaciousness. For a new Volkswagen Sharan yet offer four motors: two supercharged gasoline volume of 1,4 l (150) and 2.0 liters (200 hp..), As well as two-liter turbo diesel with different capacity: 140 and 170 hp. with. The choice of transmissions for folksvagenovskih traditional models - the "mechanics" or "robot» DSG dual clutch. Sharan with 140-horsepower turbo-diesel is available with all-wheel drive transmission. Complete sets of options - four. Already in the Trendline base equipment has seven airbags, ESP, air conditioning, electro-mechanical handbrake system of assistance in moving up the hill, power windows, audio system. In the base equipment Sharan can accommodate five people, at an additional charge you can order a 6-seater, with two separate seats in the second row, or 7-seater package. In addition, the list of additional options have a three-zone climate control and an assistant help with parking. Thanks to a reasonably good equipment, and a convenient sliding doors, Sharan could well be used successfully as a business-van to transport VIPs to the airport route - the office and back. Nevertheless, when all the merits of a new minivan to be a serious struggle for a place under the sun. Market for full-size minivan in Europe seriously subsided, let alone Russia.