Volkswagen To Introduce 51.3 Mpg 7-Seater

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Financial Times calls “Volkswagen a long-time skeptic about hybrid and electric cars.” As a long time observer of the Wolfsburg boys, I have to agree. Despite green initiatives for public and political consumption, their private position has been that the consumption and emissions of a hybrid could be achieved with their low displacement supercharged engines and some weight savings. Some electric initiatives notwithstanding, this position has not changed. Case in point: Their new Touran.

“With the launch of every new Volkswagen model, fuel consumption and emissions are falling further,” gushes the latest press release from Wolfsburg. But it shows where their heart is: With the ICE. The new Touran, a compact MPV, consumes only 4.6 liter diesel per 100km. If my mpg calculator is not mistaken, that’s 51.3 miles to the U.S. liquid gallon (your EPA mileage may vary.) Not bad for a 7-seater! It gets there with a 1.6-liter TDI engine with BlueMotion Technology. The planet thanks Volkswagen for a 121 g/km CO2 rating.

The frugal oil-burner is not the only engine. A total of six new gas and diesel engines will be available, along with the usual dizzying array of European trim levels. Which we will spare you.

The Touran will launch in Germany in August. Says VW: “Over the course of the autumn, it will then gradually be introduced to markets across the globe.” And will VW stop wringing every possible kilometer from a liter, or mile from a gallon? Of course not. “Volkswagen’s aim for the future is to get below 4.6 liters per 100km,” says the communique.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Conslaw Conslaw on Jun 01, 2010

    A worthy effort by VW. I don't think the minivan market in the US is really going to revive until somebody comes out with the 30/30 minivan, that is, a traditionally-sized minivan that gets 30 mpg city and highway (ratings anyway). It should be possible with a hybrid (or maybe diesel) drivetrain, low-friction tires and aerodynamic tuning.

  • Rick Thomas Rick Thomas on Jun 01, 2010

    Is there any real indication that they're actually going to try to market a euro-class people mover here in the states? It's an interesting looking car, but I'm not sure people will move away from their suvs and minivans for something like this.

  • FreedMike Off topic, but folks, this site is not working well for me from a technical standpoint, and it doesn't matter if I'm using my phone, or my computer (on two different browsers). It locks up and makes it impossible to type anything in after a certain point. Anyone else having these issues?
  • Syke Kinda liked the '57, hated the '58. Then again, I hated the entire '58 GM line except for the Chevrolet. Which I liked better than the '57's. Still remember dad's '58 Impala hardtop, in the silver blue that was used as the main advertising color.
  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
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