Automotive Database: Volkswagen Sharan

Volkswagen Sharan
Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Production	1995–present
Assembly	Palmela, Portugal (AutoEuropa)
Body and chassis
Class	Large MPV
Body style	5-door 7-seat MPV
Layout	Front engine

The Volkswagen Sharan is a 7-seat MPV produced by the German automaker Volkswagen and designed to compete with the Renault Espace, the Citroën C8 and the Peugeot 807. The Sharan is currently in its second generation and is built at the AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal. It shares the same platform with the SEAT Alhambra, and the first generation was also related to the Ford Galaxy.

First generation (Typ 7M, 1995-2009)

2007 Volkswagen Sharan

Volkswagen Sharan Mk1 (7M)
Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Also called	Ford Galaxy SEAT Alhambra
Production	1995–2009
Assembly	Palmela, Portugal (AutoEuropa)
Designer	Greg M Greeson 1990
Body and chassis
Class	Large MPV
Body style	5-door MPV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group B-VX62
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol engines: 1.8L I4 110 kW (148 hp) 20V Turbo 2.0L I4 85 kW (114 hp) 2.8L VR6 128 kW (172 hp) 2.8L VR6 150 kW (201 hp) 24V Diesel engines: 1.9L I4 66 kW (89 hp) TDI 1.9L I4 81 kW (109 hp) TDI 1.9L I4 85 kW (114 hp) TDI 1.9L I4 96 kW (129 hp) TDI 1.9L I4 110 kW (148 hp) TDI 2.0L I4 103 kW (138 hp) TDI
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 5-speed Tiptronic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Pre-Facelift & 2010-: 2,835 mm (111.6 in) 2004-09: 2,841 mm (111.9 in)
Length	Pre-Facelift: 4,620 mm (181.9 in) Facelifted: 4,634 mm (182.4 in)
Width	Pre-Facelift: 1,810 mm (71.3 in) Facelifted: 1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height	Pre-Facelift: 1,762 mm (69.4 in) 2004-09: 1,759 mm (69.3 in) 2010-: 1,732 mm (68.2 in)

The name Sharan is derived from a Persian word meaning "Carrier of Kings". The Volkswagen Group subsequently rebadged the Sharan in 1995, and sold it as the SEAT Alhambra alongside the Sharan. All variants were produced at the joint venture plant AutoEuropa in Portugal, alongside the closely related Ford Galaxy. Each of the three MPV models had its own subtle differences in exterior, and, for the Galaxy, in interior design. The first generation's initial design was completed under Greg M Greeson, an American designer employed in Volkswagen's Advanced Design Studio in Düsseldorf, Germany from 1989 to 1990.

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 was available with the 1.8L Turbo 4 cil 150 hp (112 kW) with 5-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox in Comfortline trim only, while in Argentina it is available with the 1.8L Turbo and the 1.9L TDI 115 hp 4-cylinder engines, in both 5-speed manual and 5-speed Tiptronic transmissions in Trendline trim only.

In total, Volkswagen almost sold 670,000 units of its Sharan over 15 years.

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 variant of the Chrysler minivans as the Routan. This was launched in 2009, and replaced the Sharan in Mexico, the only North American country in which it was sold.

Scoring 200 points on the United Kingdom Reliability Index, the Sharan is considered very unreliable when compared to the average vehicle score of 100, while a very reliable vehicle scores 60 or below. The average age and repair cost of the tested Sharan was 5,3 years and covered 63,546 miles.

1995–2000

1999–2004

2003–2010

Mark 1/Phase 1 (1995–2000)

The original Sharan was launched in 1995, and was available with five engine choices:

Model	Years	Engine and code		Displ.	Power	Torque
1.8T	1997–2000	I4 20V	AJH	1781 cc	110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) @ 6000 rpm	210 Nm (150 lbft) @ 1750–4600 rpm
2.0	1995–2003	I4 8V	ADY	1984 cc	85 kW (116 PS; 114 hp) @ 5000 rpm	170 Nm (130 lbft) @ 2400 rpm
2.8 VR6	1995–2000	VR6 12V	AAA/AMY	2792 cc	128 kW (174 PS; 172 hp) @ 5800 rpm	235 Nm (173 lbft) @ 4200 rpm
1.9 TDI	1995–2003	I4 8V	1Z/AHU	1896 cc	66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) @ 4000 rpm	202 Nm (149 lbft) @ 1900 rpm
1.9 TDI	1996–2003	I4 8V	AFN/AVG	1896 cc	81 kW (110 PS; 109 hp) @ 4150 rpm	235 Nm (173 lbft) @ 1900 rpm

The 2.8 VR6 model had the option of Syncro all-wheel drive.

The Sharan received a EuroNCAP three-star safety rating when it was tested in 1999.

Awards

1999 Auto Express New Car Honours – Best MPV
1998 Top Gear Magazine Top Cars – Best People Carrier (Joint Winner)
1996 What Car Awards – Best People Carrier (Joint Winner)
1996 Auto Express Awards – Best People Carrier (Joint Winner)

Mark 1A/Phase 1.5 (1999–2004)

The Sharan and its stablemates received a major facelift in 1999. At this time, Volkswagen also extended the wheelbase by 6 mm (0.2 in), increased the front and rear track, and gave it the "Volkswagen family" look of the time.

Awards

2000 Auto Express New Car Honours – Best MPV

Engine choices

Model	Years	Engine and code		Displ.	Power	Torque
1.8T	1999–2004	I4 20V	AWC	1781 cc	110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) @ 5800 rpm	220 Nm (160 lbft) @ 1800 rpm
2.0	1999–2004	I4 8V	ATM	1984 cc	85 kW (116 PS; 114 hp) @ 5200 rpm	170 Nm (130 lbft) @ 2600 rpm
2.8 VR6	1999–2004	VR6 24V	AYL	2792 cc	150 kW (204 PS; 201 hp) @ 6200 rpm	265 Nm (195 lbft) @ 3400 rpm
1.9 TDI	1999–2003	I4 8V	ANU	1896 cc	66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) @ 4000 rpm	240 Nm (180 lbft) @ 1900 rpm
1.9 TDI	1999–2004	I4 8V	AUY	1896 cc	85 kW (116 PS; 114 hp) @ 4000 rpm	310 Nm (230 lbft) @ 1900 rpm
1.9 TDI	2003–2004	I4 8V	ASZ	1896 cc	96 kW (131 PS; 129 hp) @ 4000 rpm	310 Nm (230 lbft) @ 1900 rpm

Mark 1B/Phase 1.75 (2003–2009)

A further minor cosmetic facelift was implemented in September 2003 for the 2004 model year. This changed, primarily, the grille, and tail lights (round). Also, more standard equipment was added, including air conditioning and curtain side air bags. In 2006, Ford independently introduced a new Galaxy which was not based on the Sharan and Alhambra designs from the Volkswagen Group. The new Galaxy was built at a dedicated Ford plant in Limburg, Belgium. The last first-generation Ford Galaxy rolled off the AutoEuropa line at the end of 2005, while the first-generation Sharan and SEAT Alhambra continued in production - alongside the Volkswagen Eos and the new Scirocco - until 2010.

Engine choices

Model	Years	Engine and code		Displ.	Power	Torque
1.8T	2003–2005	I4 20V	AWC	1781 cc	110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) @ 5800 rpm	220 Nm (160 lbft) @ 1800 rpm
2.0	2003–2007	I4 8V	ATM	1984 cc	85 kW (116 PS; 114 hp) @ 5200 rpm	170 Nm (130 lbft) @ 2600 rpm
2.8 VR6	2003–2008	VR6 24V	AYL	2792 cc	150 kW (204 PS; 201 hp) @ 6200 rpm	265 Nm (195 lbft) @ 3400 rpm
1.9 TDI	2006–2010	I4 8V	BVK	1896 cc	85 kW (116 PS; 114 hp) @ 4000 rpm	310 Nm (230 lbft) @ 1900 rpm
1.9 TDI	2003–2007	I4 8V	ASZ	1896 cc	96 kW (131 PS; 129 hp) @ 4000 rpm	310 Nm (230 lbft) @ 1900 rpm
1.9 TDI	2003–2009	I4 8V	BTB	1896 cc	110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) @ 4000 rpm	320 Nm (240 lbft) @ 1900 rpm
2.0 TDI	2009–2010	I4 8V	BRT	1968 cc	103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp) @ 4000 rpm	310 Nm (230 lbft) @ 1900 rpm

LPG Sharan

In June 2006, PrinceGas and Volkswagen 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 mi) 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 (450 mi) 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 tyre.

Second generation (Typ 7N, 2009-present)

Volkswagen Sharan Mk2 (7N)
Overview
Also called	SEAT Alhambra
Production	2009–present
Assembly	Palmela, Portugal (AutoEuropa)
Body and chassis
Class	Large MPV
Layout	Front engine
Platform	Volkswagen Group A5 PQ46
Related	Volkswagen Passat B7
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol engines: 1.4L 110 kW (148 hp) TSI 2.0L 147 kW (197 hp) TSI Diesel engines: 2.0L 103 kW (138 hp) TDI 2.0L 125 kW (168 hp) TDI
Transmission	manual DSG automatic
Dimensions
Length	4,850 mm (190.9 in)
Width	1,904 mm (75.0 in)
Height	1,720 mm (67.7 in)

The second-generation Sharan, based on the Volkswagen Passat (B7), was launched at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and a month later the second generation of its sibling model, the SEAT Alhambra, was officially announced.

Although still built at the AutoEuropa factory in Portugal, the new model inherits only its name from the previous Sharan, compared to which it is 220 mm (8.7 in) longer, 92 mm (3.6 in) wider and 12 mm (0.5 in) lower, with the wheelbase lengthened by 75 mm (3.0 in).

Weight has been reduced by 30 kg (66 lb). The initial engine range comprises 1.4-litre TSI (148 bhp) and 2.0-litre (197 bhp) petrol options, plus two 2.0-litre TDI diesel engines, rated at 140 PS and 168 bhp (125 kW; 170 PS). The rear doors now slide open rather than being hinged.

Mk2 Sharan BlueMotion TDI

2015 facelift

At the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the facelifted Sharan will be unveiled to the public. It has new electronic systems and engines with reduced fuel consumption.

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Last updated on 1 June 2015 at 15:39.