Self-parking VW Touran on the way

• Facelifted Touran on sale from early next year
• Self-parking option available from June
• Two new engines join the range

More Information

• More pictures

Latest News

• Renault Fluence ZE review
• Alpina D5 Bi-Turbo review
• Geneva 2012: Audi TT RS plus
• Fiat Punto Twinair review

A face-lifted Volkswagen Touran MPV that can park itself will be shown at the Paris Motor Show this month.

The updated car will go on sale in the UK early next year, and will come with an automatic ParkAssist option by the middle of the year.

ParkAssist detects spaces of sufficient size as you drive down the road.

Acoustic and visual cues then guide you to the correct starting position from where the Touran takes over the steering and slots itself into the space. All you have to do is operate the throttle and brake.

Front and rear lights and bumpers have been modified to give the Touran a new look, and there's new upholstery and steel trim inside. The CD stereo will also be able to play discs carrying MP3 music files.

The familiar S, SE and Sport trims remain, but there are changes to the engine line-up. The 101bhp 1.6-litre still kicks things off, but the 113bhp version of this engine is replaced by a clever 1.4-litre with 138bhp.

The 89bhp and 104bhp 1.9- and 138bhp 2.0-litre diesels are joined by a new range-topper developing 168bhp.