Volkswagen will present the technically updated Sharan at the Geneva International Motor Show. Numerous new convenience and assistance systems make the family-friendly MPV one of the most advanced models in its segment.

A wide range of infotainment systems also guarantees full connectivity to many smartphones and tablets. At the same time, the fuel economy of the petrol and diesel engines was improved by up to 15 percent. The updated Sharan will arrive on the German market this summer with advance sales beginning in April.

Along with the standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically initiates braking after a collision if the driver is no longer able to intervene, numerous optional assistance systems are available in the updated Sharan as well.

They include the ambient traffic monitoring system Front Assist with integrated City Emergency Braking, the Lane Assist lane-keeping assistant, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), the third generation of Park Assist (for assisted parking and exiting from parking spaces) and the Blind Spot Monitor, which warns of vehicles in the blind spot when changing lanes.

The petrol (TSI) and diesel (TDI) engines, which are as powerful as they are efficient, have been completely redesigned. The turbocharged direct-injection engines are now up to 15 percent more fuel efficient, and they all conform to the Euro 6 emissions standard. The two TSI engines produce 150bhp and 220bhp. The power of the strongest petrol engine is increased by 20bhp.

The diesel engines are offered at three power levels: 115bhp, 150bhp (gain of 10bhp) and 184bhp (gain of 7bhp). All engines (except the 115bhp TDI) may be combined with the agile six-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG), which now also enables the fuel-saving coasting function (decoupling of the engine from the drivetrain when foot is taken off the accelerator pedal).

The second generation of the modular infotainment platform is used in the Sharan and it offers a maximum level of connectivity. The Sharan is one of the first Volkswagen vehicles to be equipped with 'App Connect', and thanks to MirrorLink, Android Auto (Google) and Car Play (Apple), a wide variety of apps can be fed into the new infotainment systems. The systems are also impressive due to their fast processors (optimised boot-up, quick route calculation, optimal touchscreen performance) and high-resolution displays.