VW Touran Walks On Thin Ice, Might Be Replaced By The I.D. Buzz

The days of MPVs are numbered, as consumer demand has shifted towards crossovers and SUVs instead. This will ultimately seal the fate of the Volkswagen Touran as well, which might be phased off completely in a couple of years.

The German company won’t be left without a contender in the minivan segment, as that role will be continued by the I.D. Buzz. Expected in 2022, the spiritual successor of the Microbus might serve as the indirect replacement of the Touran, reports Autocar, quoting VW board member for Research and Development, Frank Welsch.

Read Also: VW I.D. Buzz To Be Built In Germany, Final Name Remains Unconfirmed

“Some people would say the Touran is a boring car, but it has great efficiency, great value for money [and is] great for family”, said Welsch. “Now, we have other concepts [to replace MPVs], such as the Tiguan Allspace seven-seat SUV. And we have prepared for the next generation with the ID family, including the I.D. Buzz, which we are developing now. These are the real successors of the Touran.”

“MPVs are not over, although demand is going down a little bit. They need better design now. This is why the I.D. Buzz is quite emotional in design”, he added.

VW I.D. Buzz Concept

Previewed by the 2017 I.D. Buzz Concept, the vehicle is expected in at least two versions, with single and dual electric motors. The rear-wheel drive variant should have around 270 HP, and the AWD model will probably pack in the region of 370 HP. The show car had a 435-km (270-mile) range, 369 HP available on tap from the two electric motors, one on each axle, and a 111 kWh battery pack.

Based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, the second generation Touran was presented at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and is offered with a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, with outputs varying between 110 and 190 PS (108-187 HP / 81-140 kW). It has a starting price of £28,560 ($35,928) in the UK and €31,080 ($34,047) in Germany, or £3,505 ($4,409) and €695 ($761) more than the five-seat Tiguan.

On a related note, the Seat Alhambra has been phased off, and its German cousin, the Volkswagen Sharan, will be reportedly discontinued at the end of the year.