2016 VW Sharan


Just in time for the Sharan's 20th birthday, Volkswagen is launching a new version of the people mover. Two decades. Three generations of this multipurpose vehicle (MPV). More than 800,000 Sharans sold. The best-selling German MPV in its class. Used millions of times on the way to kindergarten, schools, sports clubs and holiday destinations. Hundreds of thousands of young people who will go off to university or start work in 2015 or in the coming years grew up with this MPV. The 'Sharan generation'. The highly flexible MPV has done umpteen million kilometres on the way to business meetings and to work. And carried on after work as well: with over 2,600 litres of space for outdoor enthusiasts complete with their bikes and boards. 20 years of motoring life with no problems of space. 

Volkswagen is offering the Sharan with five new, turbocharged direct injection engines. They consume up to 14.3 per cent less fuel and fulfil the Euro-6 emission standard. Practically every version of the petrol engine (TSI) achieves efficiency class B (220 PS: C), a demanding level for a large MPV, while the diesels (TDI) do even better, achieving efficiency class A. The TSIs deliver 150 PS and 220 PS respectively, with the 150-PS engine consuming, in combination with manual transmission, just 6.4 l/100 km The TDI engines are available at three levels of power output: 115 PS, 150 PS and 184 PS. The versions delivering 115 and 150 PS consume in combination with the six-speed manual gearbox a mere 5.0 l/100 km. All diesels are fitted with an SCR catalytic converter. Also included as standard is a Stop-Start system plus battery regeneration mode (BlueMotion Technology / BMT). All engines, except the 115-PS diesel, can be combined with a six-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG), which now also facilitates the 'coasting' function for additional fuel-saving (decoupling of the engine when lifting off the accelerator). With the 220-PS TSI the DSG is standard. As an alternative, the 150-PS TDI engine is also available with 4MOTION all-wheel drive.


All Sharan TDIs are fitted with an oxidation catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter complete with SCR system (Selective Catalytic Reduction). Using a specially coated diesel particulate filter (the actual SCR catalytic converter), the SCR system converts the nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the exhaust gas into nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O). This conversion is done using synthetically produced AdBlue, which is stored in a 17-litre tank and in the Sharan only has to be topped up every 10,000 kilometres. Any Sharan TDI driver can top up the AdBlue easily themselves, with access to the separate tank via the luggage compartment. AdBlue is available from Volkswagen workshops and at filling stations.

When it comes to motoring safety, experts differentiate between active and passive safety. Active safety is influenced by technical components such as the brakes, the chassis and driver assistance systems like ESC (Electronic Stability Control). Meanwhile, the structure of the vehicle body and features such as airbags affect passive safety. Some of its assistance systems - such as the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System - are available for the first time in this segment. New technologies enhance comfort and convenience as well.


One of the Sharan's new standard assistance systems is the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. It automatically slows the vehicle right down if it is involved in an accident in order to significantly reduce its residual kinetic energy. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System is triggered when a primary collision has been detected by the airbag sensors. The system's deceleration of the MPV is limited by the ESC controller to a maximum of 0.6 g. This value matches the deceleration level of Front Assist - likewise new on the Sharan - and ensures that the driver can maintain control of the car even in the event of automatic braking. The driver can 'override' the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System at any time. 

The new Blind Spot Monitor utilises an LED symbol in the outer area of the wing mirrors to call the Sharan driver's attention to any vehicles in the blind spot beside the MPV or approaching from behind. As soon as that is the case, the symbol lights up, and if the driver activates the turn indicator in the direction of the detected vehicle the symbol flashes as an additional warning. This lowers the risk of hazardous lane-changing situations. The system, which is automatically activated from a speed of 30 km/h, uses radar sensors to monitor an area of approximately 20 metres around the vehicle. When the Blind Spot Monitor is ordered for the Sharan, it automatically comes with the Rear Traffic Alert.

Rear Traffic Alert further improves safety. It is offered in combination with the Blind Spot Monitor. Rear Traffic Alert takes much of the risk out of reversing from driveways and parking spaces that are at right angles to the road. The innovation here is that the system not only recognises stationary or moving vehicles directly behind the Sharan, but also vehicles approaching from the side which are hardly visible to the driver. The radar-based sensor module even detects objects at distances of up to 40 metres and recognises objects moving at speeds of 4 km/h or above. If a collision is imminent, the system outputs an acoustic warning. If the driver or other road user does not take action to correct the situation, or if there is a risk of immediate collision, the Rear Traffic Alert system automatically applies the brakes.


Volkswagen is now using the second generation of the modular infotainment matrix (MIB II) in the Sharan. The systems available are the standard 5-inch 'Composition Colour' system and the optional 6.5-inch systems called 'Composition Media' and 'Discover Media' (with navigation). The Sharan thus offers an extremely high degree of connectivity, as it can for the first time be equipped with the 'App-Connect' and 'Guide & Inform' Car-Net functions. 'App-Connect' is based on the smartphone interfaces 'MirrorLink', 'Android Auto' (Google) and 'CarPlay' (Apple), via which all sorts of different apps can be fed into the infotainment system. The Volkswagen 'Guide & Inform' online services also provide services such as up-to-date traffic alerts and information on free parking spaces and on fuel prices at nearby filling stations. The 'Discover Media' infotainment system can in addition be linked to 'Media Control'. Using this extremely versatile app, users - including passengers in the back - are able via Wi-Fi and tablet to access functions such as navigation and the media player.

The Sharan is available in three trim levels: Trendline (base version), Comfortline (mid-level) and Highline (exclusive version). For the launch, Volkswagen is also bringing out two stylishly customised special models: the Sharan Ocean and Sharan Beach. In its normal configuration, the MPV has 5 seats. In addition, there is also a 6-seater and 7-seater package. As a 6-seater, the Sharan's second and third seating rows are each fitted with two seats, each with padded armrests. In this configuration, there is no middle seat in the second row. Instead, the two remaining seats are arranged more towards the centre. The 6-seater is particularly well suited as a business vehicle. If the customer opts for the 7-seater, then, as in the 5-seater, the second row has three individual seats. The third row then has a further two individual seats. Regardless of trim level, the 6- and 7-seat Sharan versions are fitted as standard with 3-zone automatic air conditioning (Climatronic) and EasyEntry (to the third row of seats).


In addition to the new driver assistance, comfort/convenience and infotainment systems, the optional features on the new Sharan include a new massage function for the optional 12-way seats; the new 'Mirror Oak' trim for dash panel and door panels; Light Assist and Dynamic Light Assist (automatic main beam control for standard and xenon headlights); DCC adaptive chassis control; sports suspension; a self-levelling function for the rear axle; electric sliding doors and tailgate; and sensor-controlled opening and closing of the tailgate (Easy Open via foot movement behind the rear bumper) as an alternative to push-button operation. Also available are Nappa leather upholstery; Rear Assist reversing camera; panoramic sliding sunroof; auxiliary heating; a luggage management package plus net partition; and the Keyless Access lock and ignition system. Caravan, horse or boat owners will also be delighted by the swivelling tow-bar. Further opportunities to individualise the Sharan are provided by various 16-, 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels.