Volkswagen Sharan

• New people carrier gets twin sliding side doors and seven seats
• Features fully flexible interior with a fold flat seating system
• On sale in the UK late summer with prices from around £22,000

It has been a long time coming, but Volkswagen has finally unveiled a new version of its Sharan people-carrier.

The current Sharan has been on sale since 2000 but is looking distinctly out of date alongside newer and more stylish people carriers.

The newcomer retains the seven-seats but now features twin sliding side doors - a great family-friendly feature which will also be seen in the forthcoming Ford Grand C-MAX, due in late 2010.

Other features in the Sharan will include a fully flexible interior whereby the seats can be folded flat into the floor to create more luggage space.

Featuring the new Volkswagen family face which debuted on the Golf and Polo, the latest Sharan comes with a choice of four engines - two TSI petrols in 1.4-litre 150bhp and 2.0-litre 200bhp guises, and two TDI diesels: both 2.0-litre engines with either 140bhp or 170bhp.

Prices will announced nearer to the Sharan launch in the summer although expect it to start at around £22,000.