A NEW engine range, fresh styling and prices from £17,585 are features of the next generation Volkswagen Touran, which goes on sale in late September.

The German company has just opened its order book for the compact MPV, initially unveiled at the Leipzig Motor Show during the spring.

Drawing on the same design seen on the Polo supermini and latest Sharan people carrier, the Touran boasts a lower, wider appearance than the model it replaces.

And the changes extend to the front wings, bonnet and front bumper which are joined by new wing mirrors, rear lights and a restyled tailgate and bumper.

Inside, the entertainment and climate functions have all been revised and a new three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of new-look dials.

As with the outgoing car, the new Touran's focus is on versatility, with the ability to carry seven adults with the third row of seats folding flat into the floor.

Buyers also get  air-con, alloy wheels, roof rails, a CD stereo system, ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme and six airbags fitted as standard.  A five-seat option is also available.

The second generation of Park Assist, a system extended to the new Sharan, not only needs less space to perform parallel parking manoeuvres, but also allows the car to be parked in spaces at 90 degrees to the kerb.

Fitted for the first time to the Touran is Volkswagen's new turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine which, despite a modest displacement of 1,197 cc, develops 105PS while returning an average 44.1 mpg and emitting 149 g/km of CO.

In BlueMotion form, complete with Stop/Start and battery regeneration, the same unit can return 47.9mpg while the emissions drop to 139g/km.

A further petrol and four diesel engines will be available, ranging in power from 90 to 170PS, along with three trim levels - S, SE and Sport - and BlueMotion variants offered with each.

Prices range from £17,585 for the Touran TSI 1.2 S model rising to £25,535 for the 2.0 TDI Sport with six-speed DSG automatic transmission.