Volkswagen is bringing more than a dash of sports style to the MPV class with the new Touran R-Line.

Volkswagen is bringing more than a dash of sports style to the MPV class with the announcement of the new Touran R-Line.

The brand’s latest award-winning seven-seater – most recently named ‘Best MPV’ by respected automotive publishing brand What Car? – is now available to order in stylish R-Line guise for the first time.

The R-Line trim level is Volkswagen’s most overtly sporty mainstream equipment grade and provides a raft of exterior and interior styling enhancements, all carefully calculated to dial up kerb appeal, cabin style and on-road attitude. 

The range-topping new Touran R-Line is available with a selection of potent yet frugal turbocharged petrol or diesel engines ranging in capacity from 1.4-litre TSI to 2.0-litre TDI, and with outputs of between 150 PS and 190 PS.  These are mated to a similarly broad selection of transmissions which, depending on engine choice, comprise either six-speed manual or six- or seven-speed DSG.

Of course all the new Touran R-Line models also feature a selection of Volkswagen’s BlueMotion technologies such as Start/Stop, brake energy recuperation and low rolling resistance tyres, meaning economy is maximised.  Combined fuel consumption* ranges from 49.6 mpg for the 1.4-litre TSI 150 PS six-speed manual, to 62.8 mpg for the 2.0-litre TDI 150 PS six-speed manual.

Outstanding R-Line is styled to stand out   

Instantly recognisable outside, the new Touran R-Line benefits from a selection of exterior design enhancements including unique front and rear bumpers, radiator grille, and side skirts; plus chrome mouldings for the rear bumper, and 18-inch ‘Marseille’ alloy wheels.  Unique R-Line badging completes the external additions.

Inside, the sporty new Touran adds ‘Black Lead Grey’ decorative inserts in the dash, centre console and front doors; a black roof lining and grey stitching on the leather-trimmed three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, which also includes aluminium inserts and R-Line logo.

The seating, meanwhile, includes contrasting microfibre side bolsters and front seats with R-Line logo on the rear backrests.  Completing the stylish upgrades are stainless steel pedals, and unique R-Line sill protectors.

Practicality that’s highly-praised

Praising the new Touran in its recent awards issue, What Car? said: “This new Volkswagen is great to drive, classy-feeling inside and has better safety credentials than most of its rivals.”

The judges added: “There are cheaper and bigger MPVs, but none that so brilliantly balances all of the things that matter to big families.  Crucially, Volkswagen’s latest seven-seater is more practical than all of its similarly priced rivals.”

Now, with the addition of this stylish new range-topping trim level, the Touran offers this renowned practicality in its most eye-catching form. 

The new Touran R-Line is available to order from Volkswagen Retailers now, with prices starting at £27,740 RRP for the Touran R-Line 1.4-litre TSI six-speed manual.

Volkswagen Touran R-Line
Engine	Gearbox	Power	CO2 (g/km)	RRP
1.4 TSI BMT	Six-speed manual	150 PS	133*	£27,740.00
1.4 TSI BMT	Seven-speed auto DSG	150 PS	127*	£28,910.00
2.0 TDI SCR BMT	Six-speed manual	150 PS	117*	£29,210.00
2.0 TDI SCR BMT	Six-speed auto DSG	150 PS	126*	£30,510.00
2.0 TDI SCR BMT	Six-speed auto DSG	190 PS	123*	£31,505.00

WHAT CAR AWARDS - SEAT takes the best buy award for the LEON SC for the third time.

• SEAT Leon SC triumphs as Best Buy Coupé (less than £25,000) at What Car? Awards 2016
• Winning version, SEAT Leon SC FR 1.4 EcoTSI 150 PS praised as a “cracking buy” for its handling, performance, practicality and value

SEAT is kicking off 2016 in cava style, having picked up yet another highly coveted trophy at the annual What Car? Awards. At a suitably glitzy ceremony held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel tonight, SEAT’s sleek three-door Leon fought off fierce competition from two rivals to land the Best Buy Coupé (less than £25,000) category for the third time on the bounce.

Wider and shorter than its five-door brother, the Leon SC (Sports Coupé) combines the head-turning looks and agile nature of a coupé, with the practicality of a hatchback. The winning version, Leon SC FR, is available from only £20,225 and comes comprehensively equipped, with 17-inch ‘Dynamic’ alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, exclusive FR sport styling inside and out, plus Technology Pack included (which comprises Navigation System with 6.5-inch colour touchscreen, DAB digital radio, full LED lights). The svelte three-door bodystyle of SEAT’s best-selling model is available with either a precise six-speed manual gearbox or slick-shifting seven-speed DSG auto, and comes with a choice of seven diesel and petrol engines, including the even more potent CUPRA 290.

Commenting on the Leon SC’s third consecutive victory, Haymarket’s Editorial Director, Jim Holder, said, “Is it a coupé or is it a three-door hatch? We think the Leon SC just qualifies as the former and there’s no question it’s a cracking buy. For a fraction more than £20,000 you’re getting a car that’s as fun to drive as many hot hatches and which is remarkably well equipped. The SC’s hatch roots make it practical; two adults will fit in the back seats easily enough and the boot is just as big as a five-door Leon’s. We’ve chosen the 148bhp 1.4 TSI petrol version, partly because it has enough performance to entertain (0-62mph takes less than eight seconds) but also because its CO₂ emissions are a diesel-rivalling 114g/km. This efficiency is partly thanks to the engine’s clever trick of being able to shut down half of its cylinders when cruising to save fuel.

He continued, “The Leon SC had to fend off the similarly slinky Volkswagen Scirocco and the more focused Toyota GT-86. It did so easily, winning this price point for a third year on the trot.”

Speaking at the awards bash, SEAT UK’s Director, Richard Harrison, added, “After winning the same category for the last two years, we were quietly confident about our chances this time around. But to win it yet again, especially against such tough opposition, is testament to the Leon SC’s enticing, all-round qualities. It’s got real substance backing up its eye-catching style, with performance, quality and value-for-money in spades.”