Volkswagen Sharan: photos, specifications, reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Volkswagen Sharan is a popular D-segment minivan from the famous German automaker. From Persian, the name can be translated as "carrying kings." Produced from 1995 to our time, today the second generation of the model is in production. As conceived by the developers, the main target audience of the 5-door spacious car are young middle-class families.

Historical background

At the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, Europe was embraced by the fashion for family cars with a spacious one-volume interior - the so-called minivans. Many auto companies got involved in the race for a promising segment. However, the development of a new class of vehicles requires large investment costs both for design and research work and for the organization of production, which ultimately affects the final cost of the finished product. The two auto giants Ford and Volkswagen decided to join forces in this area in order to split the costs in half.

Joint project to develop the Volkswagen Sharan and itstwin brother Ford Galaxy began in 1991. The plan was for both manufacturers to enter the minivan market segment of the European market, which at the time was dominated by the Renault Espace. To this end, a joint venture, AutoEuropa, was formed, headquartered in Palmela, Portugal, near Lisbon, where construction began on an assembly plant.

From idea to implementation

By joining forces, the German and American companies have shared responsibility for design work among themselves. Volkswagen was engaged in the power unit, in particular, TDI and V6 engines. Ford developed the suspension and related elements. The overall design of the models was created under the direction of Greg M. Greoson, an American specialist working at the Advanced Design Studio in Düsseldorf, Germany.

At the end of 1994, the results of the partnership between the Volkswagen Group and Ford Motor Company were presented at various car dealerships. And the production of both models began on May 1, 1995. Subsequently, the Volkswagen Group developed a third model for the Spanish subsidiary SEAT, which had a common base. It was named "Alhambra" in honor of the architectural and park ensemble in Granada.

The characteristics of the Volkswagen Sharan, SEAT Alhambra and Ford Galaxy were similar, as they had a single platform. The exterior design also differed only in small things. Noticeable differences were in the arrangement of the cabin. The first generation combined the aesthetics of the well-established Ford Mondeo and Passat models. Variant. After restyling in 2000, each of the cars acquired its own face. "Sharan", in particular, has incorporated elements of the Passat and Jetta IV.

First Generation

The release of the first generation started in May 1995. "Sharan" was consistently in demand. With a production volume of 50,000 units annually, over 15 years of production, about 670,000 vehicles were sold. In addition to Europe, it was sold in a number of Asian countries, Latin America, South Africa. Moreover, for each region, its own version was developed, focused on natural features and national preferences of buyers.

For example, in Mexico, powerful comfortable cars are in demand, so the Volkswagen Sharan TDI Turbo with a volume of 1.8 liters (150 hp, 112 kW) with a five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission was mainly sold here in the Comfortline configuration. At the same time, both a turbocharged engine and a more economical 1.9-liter TDI with 115 hp were available in Argentina. With. Both a 5-speed "mechanics" and an "automatic" Tiptronic acted as a transmission. The most popular was the Trendline package.

Design

Despite the fact that the appearance of the car did not seem to stand out from the rest, its recognition was still high due to the heavily sloping front. The windshield, hood and even the grille with head optics visually form a single plane. This made it possible to improveaerodynamics and slightly reduce fuel consumption.

Volkswagen Sharan interior does not impress with its newfangled design, but all the elements are made in German meticulously, with high quality. Ergonomics of landing and work of the driver is good. All the keys and levers you need are at your fingertips. The dashboard, ventilation system and car radio are combined into a single compact unit, made in the form of a hemisphere.

Specifications

Volkswagen Sharan has a simple yet robust design. The rear suspension is located on oblique levers, the front is a MacPherson system. The most common transmission types are 5-speed manual and automatic transmissions, but there are also 6-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions. They are reliable and, as a rule, do not create problems for car owners.

There is only one five-door body for all modifications, but the number of seats can reach seven due to the installation of additional seats to the detriment of the trunk. The most comfortable is the six-seat Highline variant. It has independent VIP-class seats with an individual adjustment system, armrests and the ability to rotate 180 °. Dimensions: width - 1.8 m, length - 4.63 m, height - 1.73 m.

Drive type - front. Initially, the power line consisted of 5 types of engines. The weakest is the 90-horsepower diesel. But it is economical both in terms of fuel consumption and maintenance. Since 2000, in order to increase the power of their steelcomplete with special expensive pump injectors, which are demanding on the quality of a diesel engine. Later, the range of units expanded to 10 models.

1.9L I4 TDI engine specifications:

• Power: 85 kW (114 hp) @ 4000 rpm
• Torque: 310 Nm at 1900 rpm
• Volume: 1896 cm3.
• Fuel delivery: direct injection, turbocharging.
• Maximum speed: 181 km/h.
• Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: 13.7 seconds
• Fuel consumption per 100 km combined: 6.3 l.

The all-wheel drive Sharan Syncro, equipped with the most powerful 2.8-liter engine in the lineup, is still of particular interest.

Restyling

In 2000, the Volkswagen Sharan was redesigned. Small changes affected the bumpers, optics and body elements. However, the appearance as a whole remained the same. But the salon has changed. Instead of a slightly awkward barrel-shaped instrument panel, focused mainly on the driver, a slender two-section panel appears, stretching from the driver's door to the passenger door. She still looks modern today.

The number of glove compartments and all kinds of niches for gloves, documents and various small items has significantly increased. The front seats have acquired pronounced lateral support. Headrests are high and reliable. Since 2004, the assembly of vehicles equipped with an on-board computer has begun. Of course, it is not as cool as modern systems, but it copes with its duties. Also in steel finishinguse more expensive and high-quality materials.

Second Generation

In 2010, sales of the second generation of minivans began. If you compare the photo, Volkswagen Sharan has become more elegant. He grew up and in breadth by several centimeters. The design is based on the Passat B7 platform. Production is carried out at the same AutoEuropa plant in Portugal. The weight of the machine has been reduced by 30 kg. The initial range of petrol engines includes 1.4-liter TSI (148 hp) and 2-liter (197 hp). Complementing the picture are two 2-litre TDI diesel engines with 140 hp. With. and 168 l. With. (125 kW, 170 hp). Rear doors now slide.

Of course, changes have also been made to the interior. The on-board computer has shifted higher, and the instrument cluster has been supplemented with a liquid crystal information display. In the 2015 models, a lacquered wooden insert runs along the contour of the doors and “tidy”, slightly enlivening the austere interior. The upholstery of the seats has improved, leather is used in expensive trim levels.

Further cooperation

In December 1999, Ford sold its stake in AutoEuropa's assets to Volkswagen after the manufacturer decided to develop its own replacement for the Ford Galaxy. The auto giants disagreed on what should be the size of the next generation of minivans. At the same time, the assembly site in Portugal continued to work.

Definitively, cooperation between partners ended in 2006. The last Ford Galaxy left AutoEuropa's production lines at the end of 2005. New generationwas developed by a US company independently, and production moved to the city of Limburg (Belgium). Thus, the Palmela factory focused exclusively on the assembly of the Sharan and Alhambra models.

By the way, the Volkswagen Sharan is not for sale in the United States and Canada. This was originally due to an agreement between Ford and Volkswagen not to compete with the Ford Aerostar. In the future, the Germans signed an agreement with Chrysler to work together on the Chrysler Town and Country projects, which are more suitable for the North American market.

Volkswagen Sharan reviews

According to the opinion of car owners, the car is a worthy competitor in the minivan market. It is quite reliable, with a large resource of engines. Moreover, on the roads you can still find first-generation models in good condition. Given the prevalence of the brand, there are no problems with repairs and finding spare parts.

The car is convenient to operate both for the family and for transporting large items - the seats can be easily removed in a few minutes. The ride on the highway is smooth and comfortable. But the car is not designed for off-road. The weak point is the landing gear and air conditioners of the first series. Drivers also note the high fuel consumption of gasoline engines.