Photo: SB-Medien
Crossovers are in, and MPVs are out in Europe. That's why Volkswagen has begun developing a brand new model named Variosport (not final), which will replace both the Touran ad the Golf SV starting from around 2021.
We know what you are thinking: the Touran is brand new while the Sharan is old, so why aren't they replacing that? Well, Volkswagen will discontinue every people mover it makes, including the SV, replacing it with the Variosport.
We already know that the solo model will be based on the Golf 8 platform and will feature a coupe-like design with a slight slope to its roof end at a Sportback-like trunk. But these latest spyshots also show something else: it's likely to have a crossover/lifestyle vehicle appearance. But this is VW, so don't expect anything crazy.
The suspension sits much higher than on the production Touran on which this testing mule is based. The move towards this new design style is supported by what the French, which are MPV masters, are doing. Citroen will drop the Picasso (it's not called that anymore), while the Peugeot 3008 already transitioned to being a full-on crossover several years ago. As for Renault, we have the Captur taking the place of the Modus, and have you see the Espace?
Getting back to the Variosport, this 4.7-meter fat Golf will have a 7-seat option on top of the standard 5-seat configuration. Also, it will have technologies that make even the Touran look obsolete, like a fully digital dashboard, Level 2 autonomy and some pretty powerful engines.
It's expected that the Variosport will be cool enough even to receive the Golf R powertrain, rumored to have around 340 horsepower and an electric supercharger. Also, a 210 horsepower PHEV model is very likely to arrive, though we have to remember that everything is several years away from coming out.
We already know that the solo model will be based on the Golf 8 platform and will feature a coupe-like design with a slight slope to its roof end at a Sportback-like trunk. But these latest spyshots also show something else: it's likely to have a crossover/lifestyle vehicle appearance. But this is VW, so don't expect anything crazy.
The suspension sits much higher than on the production Touran on which this testing mule is based. The move towards this new design style is supported by what the French, which are MPV masters, are doing. Citroen will drop the Picasso (it's not called that anymore), while the Peugeot 3008 already transitioned to being a full-on crossover several years ago. As for Renault, we have the Captur taking the place of the Modus, and have you see the Espace?
Getting back to the Variosport, this 4.7-meter fat Golf will have a 7-seat option on top of the standard 5-seat configuration. Also, it will have technologies that make even the Touran look obsolete, like a fully digital dashboard, Level 2 autonomy and some pretty powerful engines.
It's expected that the Variosport will be cool enough even to receive the Golf R powertrain, rumored to have around 340 horsepower and an electric supercharger. Also, a 210 horsepower PHEV model is very likely to arrive, though we have to remember that everything is several years away from coming out.
Google News