Safety priority for VW Touran

Volkswagen says its Touran people-mover is one of the most versatile on the market, with a choice of seating configurations, a potential load area of almost 2000 litres, and 39 storage spaces and cubby holes.

The new model goes on sale this month, priced at $46,990.

For that you get a comprehensive list of equipment and a vehicle with a five-star crash rating, the best available under the New Car Assessment Programme in Europe.

"Safety was our number one consideration when deciding on the features of this vehicle," said Dean Sheed, general manager of Volkswagen.

The Touran's list of safety features includes six airbags, stability and traction control, and seven three-point seatbelts.

The seven-seat Touran is based on the new Golf V platform and was launched 12 months ago in Europe.

It has since become the best-selling mini people-mover in Germany, with sales in that country of 8000 vehicles.

It comes with much of the Volkswagen Group's new technology, including its 2-litre four-cylinder direct-injection engine, six-speed automatic/manual Tiptronic gearbox, electro-mechanical power steering and four-link rear suspension.

VW says it is the only carmaker in the world to offer a six-speed gearbox in a vehicle in this segment.