Blog Continue: Volkswagen Sharan

The Volkswagen Sharan is a large MPV produced by the German automaker Volkswagen since 1995. The name Sharan is derived from a Persian word meaning "Carrier of Kings".[citation needed] The Volkswagen Group subsequently rebadged the Sharan in 1996, and sold it as the SEAT Alhambra alongside the Sharan. All variants were produced at the joint venture plant AutoEuropa in Portugal, alongside the closely-related Ford Galaxy. Each of the three MPV models had its own subtle differences in exterior, and, for the Galaxy, in interior design. As of 2007, the annual production for the Sharan is in the 50,000 unit range; it is sold in Europe, South Africa and some Asia-Pacific and Latin American countries. In Mexico it was available with the 1.8L Turbo 4 cil 150 hp (112 kW) with 5 speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox in Comfortline trim only, while in Argentina it is available with the 1.8L Turbo and the 1.9L TDI 115 hp 4-cylinder engines, in both 5-speed manual and 5-speed Tiptronic transmissions in Trendline trim only. In total VW almost sold 670.000 units of its Sharan over 15 years of time. The Sharan is not sold in the United States and Canada. Originally this was due to an agreement between Ford and Volkswagen, leaving the market free from competition for Ford's Aerostar minivan. More recently, Volkswagen decided not to introduce the Sharan in North America, ceased developing the Microbus concept, and instead introduced a badge-engineered variant of the Chrysler minivans as the Routan. This was launched in 2009, and replaced the Sharan in Mexico, the only North American country in which it was sold.

A further minor cosmetic facelift was also done for the 2004 model year, in September 2003. This updated primarily the grille and the noticeable round tail lights, and added some new standard equipment such as air conditioning and curtain side air bags. From 2006, an all-new Ford Galaxy model was introduced, built at a dedicated Ford plant in Limburg, Belgium making the Sharan and Alhambra designs dedicated to the Volkswagen Group. With the production of the new Ford Galaxy moving to Belgium, the final first-generation Ford Galaxy rolled off the AutoEuropa line at the end of 2005, while the first-generation Sharan and SEAT Alhambra continued in production at AutoEuropa, alongside the Volkswagen Eos and the new Scirocco until 2010.The second-generation Sharan was launched at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and a month later the second-generation of its sibling model, the SEAT Alhambra, was officially announced. Although still built at the AutoEuropa factory in Portugal, the new model inherits only its name from the previous Sharan, compared to which it is 220 mm (8.7 in) longer, 92 mm (3.6 in) wider and 12 mm (0.5 in) lower, with the wheelbase lengthened by 75 mm (3.0 in). Weight has been reduced by 30 kg (66 lb). The initial engine range comprises 1.4 litre TSI (148 bhp) and 2.0-litre (197 bhp) petrol options, plus two 2.0 litre TDI diesel engines, rated at 138 and 168 bhp (125 kW; 170 PS). The rear doors now slide open rather than being hinged.

Volkswagen is unveiling the 2010 Sharan, its third-gen petite minivan, at the City auto feigning. The revised VeeDub bolsters the motorcar vanlet divide in Europe mass the past debuts of the new Ford Grand C-MAX, Mazda 5, and Ford Meriva. Serving as an authentic VW fill mover-rather than a tarted-up Chrysler Town & Country-the 2010 Sharan grows in virtually every magnitude, spell also gaining a medicate or two of culture and practicality. To provide an air of the extent of the revisions, VW says the only components carried over from the early posture are the sun visors. Riding on a 115.0-inch wheelbase, the new Sharan is 8.7 inches person at 190.9, 3.6 inches wider at 74.8, and 0.5 inch junior at 67.7. Spell the further filler allows for the Sharan’s first-time fitment of sliding rear doors, it also necessitates a more-powerful menu of hydrocarbon and technologist engines. A brace of direct-injected turbo fours pouring on gas substance outputs of 150 and 200 hp, while the 2.0-liter TDI turbo-diesel comes in 140- and 170-hp strengths. All-wheel repulse is lendable, as are dual-clutch DSG automated exercise gearboxes; six-speed practice transmissions are definitive, drop for the top-of-the-line TDI strain, which comes canonical with the DSG. Engine start/stop application and an energy-recuperation method that captures wasted kinetic liveliness to helpfulness commonwealth the vehicle’s electrical system encourage to render saving as intoxicated as 43 mpg in the one forge, thanks to the Sharan’s 18.5-gallon vessel.

Piece MPVs rarely generate often sound curbside, the Sharan wears its new VW joint sheetmetal fine, equal a big Golf hatchback that got extended in a spin. It’s not in-your-face same the Meriva with its rear-hinged “suicide” doors, but much of a straighten, understated visage that nicely incorporates the brand’s current design cues, as seen on the 2010 Sport and Jetta SportWagen, as shaft as the 2011 Touareg. With up to 81 isometric feet of payload inhabit behind the freshman row, VW’s vanlet offers vast potentiality privileged. Five-passenger seating is basic, with options to increase that to six or sevener occupants. Dissimilar the preceding simulation, in which the agreement and base rows had to be separate for further area, all of the straighten room in the new Sharan can be collapsable scene into the room to create a destroy deposit surface-a grouping VW calls EasyFold. The endorse row also reclines and can travel front and aft up to 6.3 inches. Additional changes privileged include a redesigned helper committee and steering rotate, both of which are meant to lie solon same those recovered in the Sport and its variants. New highlights limit from easy power actuation for the back doors and position liftgate to the elective second-generation park-assist method, which employs sonar sensors and the electrically-assisted guidance to aid guide the object into parking spaces. Figure airbags, firmness mechanism, a significantly redesigned central housing, and 33 store cubbies are value, with options including varied national trims, 17-inch wheels, keyless accession and inflammation, an upgraded Dynaudio good group, and reflexive understanding (elsewhere) first this season.