Volkswagen's first major overhaul to the Sharan since launch in 1995 sees an improved interior, more distinctive exterior and new engines and goes on sale in the UK next month.

VW has added a six-speed manual gearbox, standard across all engines A 2.8-litre V6 petrol engine expands the range while the two diesel engines (90 and 115bhp) gain VW's unit injector technology.

A 4x4 Sharan will arrive in the autumn and a five-speed automatic tiptronic gearbox for the diesels, V6 petrol and 2-litre turbo petrol engines will be available from mid-year.

Robin Woolcock, VW Group UK chief executive, believes Sharan will maintain its current sales volume which last year reached 4,347 units in the UK.

Sharan is built at Palmela in Portugal, along with the Seat Alhambra and Ford Galaxy with all three receiving the same makeover.