Volkswagen Sharan test drive since 2000 Minivan

The product of evolution

Looking at this car, you understand what a huge evolutionary path has passed European minivans from the day the first -born appears, Renault Espace: from clumsy forms to perfect, stately appearance, from uncomfortable controls to ergonomics, not inferior to cars, from the opportunity to stretch their legs in the rear seat To a huge number of options for transforming the salon. And all in some fifteen years.

 

Outwardly, Sharan gives the impression of a solid and harmonious car. No artistic delights, everything is strict, in a businesslike way. Having abandoned the high hood at the design stage, designers were able to avoid unnecessary bulkiness, and the large area of \u200b\u200bglazing, as it were, fills the salon with air. The diameter of the wheels is successfully selected, which visually distance the machine from minibuses and bring closer to passenger cars. The design of the rear side doors is noteworthy: it is strange that they are made swing, and not shifting, - in close parking, it will be as inconvenient to leave the rear places as from the front. But there are no complaints to the size and angles of opening doors.

 

It is pleasantly surprising that, getting inside the cabin, you do not have to bend your head or dive down, as it usually happens in case with many classmates of the car. Just go inside, like into a room. The driver’s landing does not cause complaints: the set and range of adjustments will arrange any person. You can’t call the developed support of the developed, but it allows you to easily get into the car and leave the salon, which is especially valuable with the intense schedule of city trips. But the armrests of the front seats did not like: firstly, they are narrow, secondly, leaning upstairs, expose the adjustment mechanism.

 

The steering wheel easily lies in hand, it is optimal diameter and cross -section and is equipped with height adjustment. The combination of devices is based on the Passat model: here is the same stylish combination of red arrows, blue numbers and chrome rims. Management of the heating and ventilation system at the height. In the cabin, you can separately set the temperature regime for the driver and the front passenger, and the ventilation and heating of the rear of the cabin are turned on from both the driver's place and the second row of seats. The salon heater control unit is located on the roof in the middle rack. Hot air is supplied to the feet of both passengers of the second row and the third. Very comfortably.

 

You find pleasant little things all over the cabin. On the central console there are two cup holders who, sheltering a couple of cans of juice, will be brightened up for a long road. On top of the central console there is a regiment for storing documents, made with the highest accuracy. The airbag cut a glove box to a ridiculous size, but there is another closing container on top. And in the front doors we found drawing pockets.

 

The main feature of any minivan is the possibility of transformation of the salon. Two rows of seats were installed from behind, where up to five people can accommodate. All passenger seats have two adjustments, and, folding the back forward, any seat can be turned into a table. The most successful option is when four seats costs from behind. They can be placed facing each other, you can place them as far as possible from each other so as not to rub your shoulders and stretch your legs, or you can fold the back of one of them and turn into a table. The seats of the third row are sometimes caustically called the mother -in -law, but Sharan is not able to wound up this knees: it is not difficult to get on them, and sitting here is very comfortable. There is even a box for storing small things and a cup holder. Two lateral seats of the second row easily turn into children's chairs equipped with three -point safety belts and a special children's headrest, which is dressed under a regular one. I was glad that the upholstery of the children's chair is easily removed. Just in case. Of course, in order to easily conjure over the salon, it is necessary to get skills - in any case, not all operations with the chairs were obtained the first time.

 

Under the hood of our car - a turbo engine with a volume of 1.8 liters and a capacity of 150 hp. Machines that fall into Russia can also have a less powerful, two -liter, engine without turbocharged.

 

Diesels for our country are not provided, as well as automatic gearboxes. The power unit is paired with a manual gearbox, but not simple, but six -speed. Five power transmissions are successfully selected under the brisk character of the motor, without infringing on its capabilities, and the increase in the sixth appeared as a means of reducing fuel consumption in a track mode. Someone will say that an additional step is an extra work to the driver, but in this case this work is not a burden: the levers are optimal, the inclusion is easy. On the move, the car demonstrates what you expect from it. Solid dimensions and low steering sensitivity are perceived as a given. A large base allows you to not notice minor irregularities, and the long passages of passengers on very significant bumps store the long passages. The second row passengers feel most comfortably, and the least third, since they are sitting just above the rear wheels.

 

Sharan fits perfectly into the work system of work-family. In the week, this car will support the corporate fleet: the representative appearance and comfort of the movement will adequately meet partners from the airport, go to negotiations with the whole department or transport a very significant cargo, removing extra seats from the passenger compartment. And for the weekend you can download skis, sledges and snowboarding, take a thermos, and wave with a fun company to ride the mountains.

 
 

A source: Wheel magazine [No. 54/2002]