The all-new 2016 Touran compact minivan has been officially revealed and detailed prior to its world premiere at the Geneva motor show.

We saw the first images of the compact minivan that competes with Ford’s C-MAX earlier today, so we knew what to expect on this front, with VW applying the chiseled aesthetics of the latest Golf and Euro Passat on the Touran’s boxy body.

Whatever your take on the styling of the new model, one thing is for sure: it’s far more interesting to look at than its faceless predecessor. The same applies for the interior that has a more premium and high-tech feel.

Offered in both five- and seven-seat versions, the new Touran takes its place between the smaller, five-seater Golf SportsVan and the bigger Sharan full-size minivan, which itself, will be heading to Geneva with a number of styling and technical updates.

VW says the five-seater version of the Touran has the biggest luggage compartment (1,040 liters) in its class when loaded roof-high up to 2nd seat row, while claiming a total of 47 different storage compartments dispersed around the cabin.

All Tourans get a newly developed fold-flat seat system for increased practicality and functionality, including a lighter set of second row seats that can be folded down to merge flat with the luggage floor.

Built around VW’s MQB modular platform, the new Touran has grown more than 130mm (+5.1 in) in length over the previous model at 4,527mm (178.2 in) and 41mm (1.6 in) in width at 1,814mm (71.4 in), while VW shaved 6mm off its height that stands at 1,628mm (64.1 in), not including the roof rails.

It also rides on a 113mm (4.5 in) longer wheelbase at 2,791mm (109.9 in) for improved passenger space, yet is 62kg (137 pounds) lighter that the outgoing model, with VW stating that this was achieved through the use of “innovative lightweight construction technologies in the drive systems and bodywork”.

The reduction in weight together with improved aerodynamics (drag coefficient of 0.296) and VW’s latest powertrains and tech features such as the standard Stop/Start and battery regeneration (brake energy recuperation) system, help make the new Touran deliver up to 19 percent better fuel economy.

Engine offerings at launch will include three turbocharged petrol (TSI) delivering 110PS (108hp), 150PS (148hp), and 180PS (178hp), and three diesels (TDI) rated for 110PS (108hp), 150PS (148hp) and 190PS (187hp). Final economy figures are pending, but VW said the seven-seater version fitted with the 1.6L TDI and a 7-speed DSG consumes just 4.1 l/100 km (57.4 mpg US or 68.9 mpg UK).

On the tech front, the Touran introduces several new features, including optional LED headlamps with dynamic main beam control function (Dynamic Light Assist), a raft of new multimedia systems, and Mirrorlink capability with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sporty R-Line packages for both the interior and exterior will also be on offer.

The new Touran will first launch in Europe this September followed by other markets later in the year.

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