de isotech_ro » 31 Aug 2009, 14:03
Volkswagen Sharan
History
The name Sharan is derived from a Persian word meaning "Gurkar of Kings".. The Volkswagen Group subsequently rebadged the Volkswagen version in 1996, and sold it also as the SEAT Alhambra alongside the Sharan. All variants were produced at the joint venture plant AutoEuropa in Portugal, with each of the three MPV models having its own subtle differences in exterior, and, for the Ford Galaxy, in interior design.
As of 2007, the annual production for the Sharan is in the 50,000 unit range; it is sold in Europe, South Africa and some Asia-Pacific and Latin American countries. In Mexico it is available with the 1.8L Turbo 4 cil 150hp with 5 speed Tiptronic gearbox in Comfortline trim only, while in Argentina it is available with the 1.8L Turbo 4 cil, and the 1.9L TDI 4 cil 115hp in both 5 speed manual and 5 speed Tiptronic transmissions in Trendline trim only.
The Sharan is not sold in the United States and Canada. Originally this was due to an agreement between Ford and Volkswagen, leaving the market free from competition for Ford's Aerostar minivan. More recently, Volkswagen decided not to introduce the Sharan in North America, ceased developing the Microbus concept, and instead introduced a badge-engineered nameplate variant of the Chrysler minivans as the Routan.
Sharan is currently offered with nine different engine choices:
2.0L 85 kW (114 hp) – 4 cylinder petrol
2.0L 85 kW (114 hp) – 4 cylinder petrol with LPG
1.8L turbo 110 kW (148 hp) – 4 cylinder petrol
2.8L VR6 150 kW (201 hp) – 6 cylinder petrol
1.9L 66 kW (89 hp) TDI
1.9L 85 kW (114 hp) TDI
1.9L 96 kW (129 hp) TDI
1.9L 110 kW (148 hp) TDI
2.0L 103 kW (138 hp) TDI
The TDI 96 kW (129 hp) and the 2.8 VR6 are offered with the option of 4Motion all-wheel drive
Mark 1/Phase 1 (1995-2000, manufacturer code 7M8)
The original Sharan was launched in 1995, and was available with five engine choices:
• 2.0L 85 kW (114 hp) 4 cylinder petrol
• 1.8L turbo 110 kW (148 hp) – 4 cylinder petrol
• 2.8L V6 128 kW (172 hp) – 6 cylinder petrol
• 1.9L 66 kW (89 hp) TDI
• 1.9L 81 kW (109 hp) TDI
• The 2.8 V6 model had the option of Syncro all-wheel drive.
Mark 1A/Phase 1.5 (2000-2004, manufacturer code 7M9)
The Sharan and its stablemates received a major facelift in 2000. At this time, VW also extended the wheelbase by 6 mm (0.2 in), increased the front and rear track, and gave it the "VW family" look of the time.
Mark 1B/Phase 1.75 (2004-present, manufacturer code 7M6)
A further minor cosmetic facelift was also done for the 2004 model year, in September 2003. This updated primarily the grill and the noticeable round tail lights, and added some new standard equipment such as air conditioning and curtain side air bags. From 2006, the Ford Galaxy production shifted to a dedicated Ford plant in Limburg, Belgium making the Sharan and Alhambra designs dedicated to the Volkswagen Group.
Mark 2
With the cooperation with Ford Galaxy moving to Belgium, the final first-generation Ford Galaxy rolled off the AutoEuropa line at the end of 2005.
The current Sharan and SEAT Alhambra are expected to continue in production at AutoEuropa, alongside the Volkswagen Eos and the new Scirocco until late 2009, when the second-generation Sharan is due to be launched. There is some evidence for strategic indecision concerning the stillborn Microbus reincarnation with which the replacement Sharan would have shared a platform. However, it now it appears that the next Sharan will share its platform with the current Passat. The next generation will be launched in July, 2010.
LPG Sharan
In 2006 PrinceGas and VW launched the Sharan with a 2.0 L 85 kW (114 hp) flexible fuel engine, which could work with either petrol or autogas (liquified petroleum gas), providing an additional 450 km (280 miles) range over the regular 2.0L petrol engine. Both fuel tanks, the 70L (18 US gallon) petrol tank and the 60L liquid gas tank combined, give the Sharan enough fuel to cover 730 km (454 miles) between refuels at an average fuel consumption of 9.6 L/100 km.
The liquid gas tank is built into the spare wheel well so it does not compromise on passenger and loading space of the Sharan's interior, although it does eliminate the spare tire.
Ford Galaxy
The first Galaxy was designed as a joint venture product between Ford and the Volkswagen Group, in order to catch up with the Mk1 MPV Renault Espace. Produced at the joint-venture AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal, the vehicle was badge-engineered to create three vehicles: the Ford Galaxy; by Volkswagen as the Volkswagen Sharan; by SEAT as the Alhambra.
The Galaxy used predominantly Volkswagen mechanicals, most notably the 2.8-litre VR6 petrol engine from the top versions of the VW Golf, as well as VW's 1.9-litre turbodiesel unit. Initially only the 2.0-litre Straight-4 petrol version used a Ford powerplant - this derived from the Ford I4 DOHC engine. In later years this unit was supplemented by a 2.3-litre 16-valve version first seen in the facelifted Ford Scorpio. This engine was transversially mounted (as with the MKV Escort RS2000) as opposed to longitudinal mounting like in the Ford Scorpio.
All of the VW-sourced engines were supplied with "Ford" rocker covers, despite being of Volkswagen design. All automatic transmissions were VW AG4 boxes, but manual gearboxes on all engines were VXT75 5 speed (modified versions of the trusted Ford MT75 5 speed set-up to suit the transverse engine layout).
The original interior used a mix of both Ford and VW components, using a Golf-derived instrument pack, and most of the switchgear, while the curved fascia moulding was of Ford design, heavily reminiscent of that used in the Ford Mondeo.
A major redesign in 2000 saw the Galaxy distance itself from its VW Group competitors. The car adopted the Ford corporate front end, while the interior benefited from an all-new dash, utilising high-quality materials and a design akin to the third-generation Ford Mondeo, introduced at a similar time as the new Galaxy. Also new engines were available across the range, the newer 24v VR6 along with VW's Pumpe-Düse (pd) TDI engines available in 90 bhp (67 kW; 91 PS) (only on LX models), 115 bhp (86 kW; 117 PS), 130 bhp (97 kW; 132 PS) and 150 bhp (112 kW; 152 PS) forms, these were matched to a 6 speed manual transmission, a 4 speed automatic transmission with manual sequential shift operation and a 5 speed automatic transmission (Auto boxes were only available on 115 PS (113 hp/85 kW) variant).
This version is still available in Latin America, with 2.0, 2.3 and 2.8 petrol engines. The VW-sourced 1.9 TDi engine is no longer offered.
