Volkswagen Group Malaysia has added another vehicle to its growing lineup in the country, with the Sharan joining the fold. The MPV, which was launched yesterday, is equipped with a 2.0 litre TSI turbocharged mill, mated to a six-speed DSG transmission.

Output numbers for the unit are 200 PS at 5,100 rpm and a maximum torque of 280 Nm from 1,700 and 5,000 rpm. This is good enough to haul the 1,838 kg seven-seater from zero to 100 km/h in just 8.3 seconds and to a top speed of 218 km/h.

Key features on the 4.85 metre-long vehicle include remote-operated electric sliding side doors, nine airbags, a touchscreen SatNav system and three-zone Climatronic air-conditioning system. The electrically-powered sliding doors come equipped with a pinch protection function to ensure that there’ll be no safety issues regarding entry and exit from the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the RNS510 TFT display touchscreen radio with integrated satellite navigation system comes with a SD card reader, a DVD drive as well as a 30 GB hard disk, USB and aux-in functions.

The interior of the Sharan is dressed up in ‘Vienna’ leather seat upholstery, with titanium silver decorative inserts for the dashboard and front door trim panels dressing things up further. Convenience features include two cup holders for every seat row and roll-up sunshades for the rear door windows.

Also in the kit bag is an electric panoramic tilt and slide sunroof, a headlight washer system, rain sensors and a remote operated electric tailgate/trunk lid. There’s also a Park Assist parallel parking system, with Park Distance Control (PDC) enhanced by a rear view camera – the Sharan has the honour of debuting the Park Assist 2.0 in a VW vehicle.

The Sharan – which rides on 17-inch ‘Sydney’ alloy wheels wrapped with 225/50 series rubbers – also comes with bi-xenon headlamps, replete with dynamic bending light feature, and the now ubiquitous daytime running lights.

As for safety, besides the nine airbags (including side airbags for front and second row seats, a curtain airbag system that covers all rows and a driver knee airbag), the MPV is equipped with ESP, ABS, EBD and brake assist. Other safety features include an anti-slip regulator, electronic differential lock as well as Engine Drag Torque Control (EDTC) and Trailer Roll Stabilisation Program (TRSP).

Additionally, the Sharan comes with an integrated child seat on the left side on the second row, including belt tensioners for the outer seats of the second row, in addition to ISOFIX anchor points.

Six exterior shades are available for the car, these being Candy White, Toffee Brown, Reflex Silver, Night Blue, Indium Grey and Deep Black.

In its standard form, the Sharan rolls in at RM245,888, with an optional Tech Package taking this figure up to RM269,888. The Tech Package includes the addition of the DCC adaptive chassis control, a 300-watt, eight-speaker Dynaudio Contour premium sound system, a ‘Keyless Access’ keyless locking and starting system as well as the inclusion of a ‘Lane Assist’ lane departure warning system.