A new Sharan – at last

Volkswagen has shown the next-generation Sharan at the Geneva Motor Show. The new car will go on sale in the UK later this year. The current Sharan, produced with few modifications since 1995, is one of the oldest models on sale today; it is a sister car to the Seat Alhambra and the first Ford Galaxy, which Ford replaced with its own in-house design in 2005.

Although the new Sharan has been a long time coming, Volkswagen has resisted the temptation to make a big jump forward in styling terms and the car's deliberately conservative design echoes the sober look of the smaller Touran. One big change, though, is that the rear side doors are of a sliding design; as in the case of the tailgate, these can be electrically powered.

The Sharan's engine range consists of two 2.0-litre common-rail turbodiesels delivering 140 and 170 horsepower, and 1.4 litre and 2.0-litre turbo-charged petrol engines providing 140 and 200 horsepower respectively. There is a choice of six-speed manual or DSG gearboxes.

Seat has already said that a new Alhambra will be on the way later this year, but has not so far released any further details.