The all-new Volkswagen Sharan has made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.  Based on an advanced new platform and featuring twin sliding doors, a seven seat configuration and a range of frugal yet powerful petrol and diesel engines, the Sharan is set to establish new standards of efficiency, practicality and refinement in its class.

At 4,854 mm in length, the new Sharan is 220 mm longer than the model it replaces, 92 mm wider and 12 mm lower.  Despite these gains the new Sharan weighs 30 kg less than the previous generation model.

Access to the rear seats in the new Sharan is granted via a pair of large sliding doors that can, along with the tailgate, be specified with electric motors to operate automatically.  The centre row features three individual seats that can be moved by up to 160 mm back and forth if required and, when not in use, can be folded to create a flat loadspace.

The third row of seats is made easy to access through the ability of the centre row of seats to slide and pivot forwards by 20 degrees.  As a result of a wheelbase extended by 75 mm over the outgoing model, the new Sharan’s third row of seats is large enough to accommodate adults as well as children.  As with the second row of seats, they can also be folded flat into the floor when not required.

The new Sharan is the most advanced people carrier Volkswagen has ever produced.  Available as an option for the first time on the Sharan is the Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) system featuring electronically controlled pneumatic dampers with three selectable stages – normal, comfort and sport.  In addition, a new version of Park Assist makes its debut on the Sharan.  The system is now capable of guiding the vehicle into parking spaces at right angles with the direction of traffic as well as parallel spaces.

Following its international debut in Geneva the new Sharan will go on sale in the UK later this year with prices and specifications due to be announced nearer this time.

The New Volkswagen Sharan