Volkswagen Sharan test drive since 2000 Minivan

Success time

Volkswagen-Sharan managed to break through a considerable gap in the positions of such eminent competitors as Chrysler Voyager and Reno-Espas.
 
Compared to the American, the European Mini -Wens market is a stall. Five years ago, only 210 thousand such cars of all brands were sold in the Old World. And now the half -millionth level of annual sales has not yet been overcome. However, every year the number of models in this segment is increasing, and those who become popular are updated. So Volkswagen decided to refresh his five years ago Sharan.
Since 1995, more than 230 thousand sharanes have been sold, and more than half in Germany. The key role in success was played not only by the objective advantages of the machine, but also by the reputation of the manufacturer of the most popular small -leafers in Europe. But the world does not stand still, and in the spring of 2000 the second generation of Volkswagen-Sharan saw the light.
 
Progress engine - fashion
What do cars wear in 2000? A clear, wedge-shaped silhouette with emphasized rites of the transitions between rounded surfaces, crystal-sprouted, without diffuser, headlights, single-color rear lights that emphasize the lines of the body. What is inside? Soft, textured plastic of natural, but bright colors, rich, pleasant to the touch, but without avant -garde texture, the upholstery of the seats, a bunch of all kinds of messes and a little nostalgic chromium around the devices. In a word, the updated Sharan is dressed in the last fashion, although somewhat conservative. This is no wonder: Feyslift is not a new car. For the sake of style, only the necessary little things have been changed: bumpers, headlights, lanterns, a decorative grille of the radiator.
 
But the salon was completely redeemed. Now it resembles the Passat - roads in appearance, but quite technologically advanced in production. The ventilation deflectors are especially successful, which I still want to touch once again: they look solid and are conveniently adjustable. But the blue lighting of the devices is for an amateur: now it is accepted on all Volkswagen, but there are still drivers of traditional orientation ...
 
Options, options
Volkswagen Sharan - the car is quite compact, only 4.63 m in length, however, seven people can be comfortable in the cabin; True, in this case there will be a little space for baggage. In exchange for seven ordinary chairs, you can put six with armrests - you get a business version. However, according to marketers, the most common layout of the mini -wen - with two rows of seats, five chairs and a large trunk: 852 liters to the window line. If you leave only two places, you will get a cargo site with a size of 2.03x1.45 m, and the maximum volume of the cargo transported will be 2.61 mz.
 
The capacity is perhaps the most important characteristic of a mini-wen, but new motors are no less interesting. To present to reporters, Volkswagen managed to prepare four engines options. The latest turbodiesel with pumps (1.9 liters, 85 kW/115 hp), four-cylinder gasoline motors with two valves per cylinder (2 l, 85 kW/115 hp), with five valves and a turbocharger ( 1.8 liters, 110 kW/150 h.) And atmospheric six -cylinder (2.8 liters, 150 kW/204 l.) For a prestigious model. All machines are equipped with a six -speed manual gearbox or a five -speed hydromechanical transmission of Testronics with the possibility of manually selection of gears. Exceptions from the rules is a particularly economical version of a 90-horsepower diesel with pump-records, which will be offered only with a mechanical gearbox, and a two-liter gasoline engine, an automatic machine on which has four steps. A full -wheel drive Sharan will appear only in the fall.
 
By the way, a six -speed gearbox is also interesting from a constructive point of view: its case is made of magnesium alloy, and the three -winging mechanism is able to transmit torque to 350 nm. The counterweight system in the cable drive provides ease of switching.
Accelerations and expenses
The habit of dimensions of the car takes time, but, thanks to good overview, it comes faster than what can be expected. A minimum of claims to the driver’s place, and those who knew other cars of the concern will surely find something nostalgically pleasant. For example, steering wheel switches that could be found at Audi another 12 years ago. Why abandon successful decisions? Praise and seats are worthy with good lateral support, which at the same time does not interfere with the landing too much. At the same time, they are equally convenient for both thin and full drivers. The range of adjustments can not even be mentioned - it will be enough for everyone, there will also be a place above the head.
 
Which motor is better? A gasoline six with a capacity of 200 horses, of course, is impressive: a car with a full weighing of 2.5 tons with an automatic gearbox accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.4 s. The maximum speed for two hundred is the Sharan of the most speedy mini- van is in his class. Although a healthy appetite serves as an excessive dynamics: about 15-16 liters per hundred, if not hesitate to press the right pedal. The automatic gearbox reacts very actively to the wishes of the driver, although the process of switching could be smoother.
Sharan with a diesel engine turned out to be quite dynamic with half the fuel consumption. The most pleasant thing is that he is confident, even when the engine speed falls below 1500. It is not at all characteristic of highly phoned diesels with turbocharged. One way or another, the character of the engine is flexible, it forgives at the wrong time the transfers turned on and allows you to maintain a cruising speed of more than 160 km/h in the sixth gear even on the rise. A noticeable at idle sound with an increase in speed is dissolved in a general noise background.
A gasoline engine with a low -pressure turbocharged seemed the least interesting. Not that he could not cope with his duties, but somehow was too formally treated. Against his background, a two -liter atmosphere is a more conscientious worker, albeit less talented.
European roads dictate their requirements for suspension and steering. Here the sharan in the native elements: steep turns, narrow stripes, high speeds, the side wind - everything is nothing. But when defects more than the pellet or, worse, waves appear in the road surface - the suspension does not look so much earnestly. The low-profile 16-inch tires in which test cars were shod are not inclined to embellish the quality of asphalt, and the suspension refused the diplomatic functions of negotiations between tires and the schedule of the driver.
For business, for the family
More than 70% of mini -wen buyers in Europe are couples with children: for them, the sharan should be convenient to the maximum extent. Integrated children's seats are made not only at the rate of safety and convenience of small passengers, but also their indefatigable curiosity. High landing allows children to see both the salon and what is around the car.
 
Another 15% of buyers use Sharan mainly for business purposes. These customers spend a lot of time in the car and require impeccable comfort from it. And for a more radical category, Volkswagen plans to soon release mini-ven smaller and a completely different style.
 
Anatoly Fomin
Photo by Anatoly Fomin and Volkswagen
 

 
 
All test drives of this model on the website www.zr.ru
 
 
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"