Year of Volkswagen Sharan

The Volkswagen Sharan is a large MPV produced by the German automaker Volkswagen since 1995.

The name Sharan is derived from a Persian word meaning "Carrier of Kings".

The Volkswagen Sharan/ Ford Galaxy joint venture project started in 1991. Plans were for both carmakers to enter the multi-purpose vehicle segment in Europe. Late in 1994 the fruits of this joint venture between the Volkswagen Group and Ford of Europe were revealed and production started in early 1995 at the Autoeuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal.

The Volkswagen Group subsequently rebadged the Volkswagen version in 1996, and sold it also as the SEAT Alhambra alongside the Sharan. Each of the three MPV models has 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 85kW (114hp) - 4 cylinder petrol
• 2.0L 85kW (114hp) - 4 cylinder petrol with LPG
• 1.8L turbo 110kW (148hp) - 4 cylinder petrol
• 2.8L V6 150kW (201hp) - 6 cylinder petrol
• 1.9L 66kW (89hp) TDI
• 1.9L 85kW (114hp) TDI
• 1.9L 96kW (129hp) TDI
• 1.9L 110kW (148hp) TDI
• 2.0L 103kW (138hp) TDI

The TDI 96kW (129hp) and the 2.8 V6 are offered with the option of 4Motion all-wheel drive.

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

• 2.0L 85kW (114hp) 4 cylinder petrol
• 1.8L turbo 110kW (148hp) - 4 cylinder petrol
• 2.8L V6 128kW (172hp) - 6 cylinder petrol
• 1.9L 66kW (89hp) TDI
• 1.9L 81kW (109hp) TDI

The 2.8 V6 model had the option of Syncro all-wheel drive.