Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

The Beetle, CC, e-Golf, Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, and Jetta offer Front Assist, ACC, Park Assist and Lane Assist systems, depending on model and trim line. In addition, all Beetle, Beetle Convertible and Jetta models add the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which was already fitted to Touareg and Golf family models, as standard.

This safety system uses information from the airbag sensors to help prevent secondary collisions. Analysis of crash data in Germany ascertained that around 14% of accidents involved a secondary collision after an initial impact so Volkswagen engineers designed the system to help avoid them.

With a re-alignment of trim lines throughout the MY16 lineup, rearview cameras are now fitted as standard to more than 85% of Volkswagen models.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses forward facing radar to maintain a set speed while helping maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front. The driver sets the speed and the desired spacing via buttons on the multifunction steering wheel and can use the accelerator, brake pedal, or steering wheel to cancel or override the ACC function. All system messages appear in the central multifunction display.

When the roadway ahead of the vehicle is empty, the system maintains the set speed. Touareg, CC, and Golf, Golf GTI, and Golf SportWagen models fitted with automatic transmissions and ACC can match a vehicle in front and come to a stop, as well as resume ACC control after the driver presses the accelerator pedal or the “resume” button on the steering wheel. Golf R models fitted with DSG transmission automatically resume driving within a defined time period or if the driver chooses to do so. On manual transmission Golf and all Jetta models, the ACC ceases to operate below 19 mph (31 km/h).

Standard on: CC V6 4Motion Executive and Touareg Executive. Available on: Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Jetta TSI/TDI, Touareg Lux/Sport with Tech.

Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist). Within physical system limits, Forward Collision Warning helps warn the driver of critical front-end collision situations, both acoustically and visually by a warning symbol in the instrument cluster, and, if necessary, Autonomous Emergency Braking is activated to slow the vehicle if the driver fails to brake. If the brake pedal is applied but the driver brakes too lightly, the brake pressure is increased by the system (Braking Support).

Standard on: CC V6 4Motion Executive and Touareg Executive. Available on: e-Golf (late availability), Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Jetta TSI/TDI and Touareg Lux/Sport with Tech.

Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert. Blind Spot Monitor uses two radar sensors at the rear of the vehicle to scan the approaching traffic and help warn drivers of potential danger in adjacent lanes. If the driver uses the turn signal to indicate a lane change while a vehicle is detected in a blind spot, the system utilizes a flashing LED symbol in the outer area of the side mirrors.

The system is designed to help alert drivers in specific situations; stationary objects or oncoming vehicles do not trigger warnings, nor will vehicles more than one lane across.

The Rear Traffic Alert system not only helps alert the driver to stationary and moving vehicles directly behind, but also helps detect vehicles approaching from the side that may be difficult for the driver to see while reversing. It offers a sizable range of about 65 to 80 feet, depending on model, and will present a visual and an acoustic warning, before applying the brakes if a potential impending collision is detected. The system is activated either by selecting reverse gear or by the optional Park Distance Control when starting off.

Standard on: CC V6 4Motion Executive, Beetle and Beetle Convertible (SEL), Jetta GLI and Hybrid (SEL), and Touareg (except Sport). Available on: Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, and Jetta TSI/TDI.

Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist). If there is an indication that the vehicle is unintentionally straying from its lane, the Lane Departure Warning system actively countersteers to keep the vehicle in the lane above 40 mph (64 km/h). The system’s camera recognizes visible lane markings (one side suffices) and, using a special algorithm, calculates the risk of the car leaving the lane. If the driver takes their hands off the wheel for a defined period of time, or the vehicle crosses a lane marking, the system provides an audible warning and a visual signal in the instrument cluster, asking the driver to take over.

The system works in the dark and/or in fog, but will not engage if it cannot properly detect lane markings. If the turn signal has been set before crossing a lane marking, the Lane Departure Warning system will not engage or give a warning. The driver can “override” the system at any time by applying minimal force, and is not relieved of responsibility to make conscious driving decisions.

As fitted to the Touareg, the system incorporates all the functionality except there is no active steering intervention. Instead, the system causes the steering wheel to vibrate, while the lane markings that the car has crossed are highlighted on the appropriate multifunction display view in the instrument panel.

Standard on: CC V6 4Motion Executive, Touareg (except on Sport). Available on: Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, and Golf SportWagen.

Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist). The Parking Steering Assistant automatically steers the car into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces in reverse. After pressing the Park Assist button—once for parallel and twice for perpendicular—the driver only needs to activate the accelerator pedal and brake once a gear is selected, as Park Assist automatically steers the vehicle into the parking space.

The driver can override or deactivate the steering assistance at any time by turning the steering wheel, disengaging reverse gear or pressing the button. Below 25 mph (40 km/h), the system scans both the left-hand and right-hand sides of the road, for example in a one-way street, for any parking spaces as it drives past. By activating the turn signal, the driver stipulates which side of the road they wish to park on.

Available on: e-Golf (late availability), Golf, Golf GTI, Golf SportWagen.

Park Distance Control. Park Distance Control uses ultrasonic sensors located in the front and rear bumpers to monitor a range of up to five feet in front or behind the vehicle. The system is activated when reverse gear is engaged or below a speed of 9 mph and helps provide guidance when parking or in tight situations.

The system provides static and dynamic guidance lines in the camera screen when reversing to assist the driver in assessing distances for parallel and perpendicular parking. It also has optical and visual warnings when the car starts to approach parked cars or static objects from the front or rear.

Standard on: CC V6 4Motion Executive, e-Golf (SEL Premium), Jetta Hybrid, Jetta GLI, Touareg (Lux, Executive). Available on: Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Touareg (Sport with Tech).

Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking system builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact—which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking system helps address this by applying the brakes after a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus helping to reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, reduce the chance of additional damage.

Standard on: Beetle, Beetle Convertible, all Golf family models, Jetta, Touareg.

Volkswagen Car-Net

Under the VW Car-Net connected vehicle services umbrella, features are divided into three key areas, each offering a set of customer benefits:

• “Security & Service” includes connected car services and advanced telematics;

• “Guide & Inform” enhances the navigation and advanced infotainment systems; and

• “App-Connect” provides seamless smartphone integration through three interfaces: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink.

Instead of trying to control all connectivity development, Volkswagen collaborated with technology industry leaders to identify and integrate the latest innovations into VW products.

Modular Infotainment Platform (MIB II). At the heart of VW’s new connectivity offerings is the new, second-generation “modular infotainment platform” (MIB II) introduced for the first time in US-market 2016 Volkswagen models. The new platform offers new levels of performance, flexibility and adaptability, enabling the brand to quickly integrate new updates.

MIB II offers higher resolution, faster processing speeds, and crisp graphics that further improve on the MIB I system offered in 2015 Volkswagen Golf models. These units feature touchscreens as standard equipment on all models. On most models, the display utilizes a capacitive touch sensor (as in smartphone and tablet technology) enabling gesture controls like swiping and pinch-zooming rather than the resistive touchscreens that require pressure and have slightly longer response times. Similar to MIB I-equipped Volkswagen’s, vehicles with MIB II will feature a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is nearby and automatically switches its display to allow easier selection of specific features.

For 2016, four head units will be available (depending on the trim level of the vehicle), all of which offer more connectivity, services, and convenience when compared to outgoing models.

• Entry-level VW models will feature a Composition Color touchscreen radio with a 5.0-inch resistive 400 x 240 color display and a host of standard features including AUX-in, SD card slots, and a USB multimedia interface with Apple iPhone and iPod compatibility, reverse camera display, and Bluetooth technology.

• The Composition Media unit is available on select trims across the Volkswagen line. Incorporating the features from the Composition Color unit, the Composition Media unit adds an 800x480 capacitive color touch display with proximity sensor, with either a 6.5-inch screen for the Golf family or a 6.3-inch screen for all other Volkswagen models. Other standard features include industry-leading App-Connect smartphone integration, Bluetooth with the ability to send and receive SMS text messages with compatible phones, sync two phones simultaneously, enhanced electric vehicle functions, two SD card slots, and a JPEG viewer, SiriusXM Radio, HD Radio and support for lossless audio file format (Free Lossless Audio Codec FLAC).

• Higher trim levels feature the Discover Media unit, which captures the features available in the previous two units and adds 2.5D Navigation, one-shot voice destination entry, additional electric vehicle functions, predicts possible destinations based on often used routes, and Destination Entry with Quick Search and Auto-complete, and Car-Net Guide & Inform.

• For 2016, the e-Golf SEL Premium model will receive the Discover Pro unit which adds an 8.0-inch color capacitive touch display, one-shot Point-Of-Interest (POI) entry, 3D SSD navigation, Jukebox music storage with approximately 10GB of available storage, wireless connectivity, even more electric vehicle functions such as range check and range view in the map, DVD drive, and a simplified route editing features for the navigation which allows the user to drag and drop waypoints directly on the display.

Volkswagen Car-Net “Security & Service”. Consumers have the ability to access the Car-Net Security & Service suite through the online Customer Web Portal as well as an advanced app for smartphones, providing access to all the features available from virtually anywhere a mobile device is connected to wireless internet. The system incorporates new advanced app and smartphone integration while creating a platform that offers higher levels of comfort and convenience to Volkswagen customers.

Available security related features include Automatic Crash Notification, which automatically notifies an operator who can quickly contact first responders in the event of an collision; Manual Emergency Call, a feature that allows for quick access to customer specialists at the touch of a button; Roadside Assistance, for added peace-of-mind in the event of trouble on the road; and Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, which uses Car-Net Security & Service to assist law enforcement with locating a vehicle in the event that it is stolen.

In addition, VW Car-Net Security & Service offers other new features for 2016 model year including a new layers of convenience such as remote vehicle access; remote door lock and unlock; remote honk and flash (of lights); last parked location information; and remote status check (doors and windows). Consumers will also be able to send a location from their connected smart device to the factory-installed compatible navigation system on select models. For consumers that prefer a more personal touch, agent destination assist is also available.

The Car-Net Security & Service also offers Family Guardian, a suite of features that help families. Features including speed alert, which notifies the owner of the vehicle when the pre-determined maximum speed limit is exceeded; and boundary alert, which lets you know when the vehicle has traveled outside of a pre-set virtual boundary.

Diagnostics and maintenance information is also available through Car-Net. A Vehicle Health Report allows Volkswagen customers to quickly check to see if their vehicle is in proper running order. When it’s time for scheduled service, Car-Net Security & Service not only notifies the customer, but provides a simple way to schedule a dealer visit. It can even identify the closest dealer.

For e-Golf drivers, enhanced e-mobility services grant access to a long list of vehicle information from their mobile device or online. Through Car-Net, customers can access the vehicle’s climate control system remotely in order to pre-heat or pre-cool the vehicle before they return (saving energy). In addition, electric vehicle drivers will be able to set up remote charging times right through the mobile app or Customer Web Portal. Driving data is also available, allowing customers to see information including range, state-of-charge, vehicle status, and maintenance information.

Available later this year, the VW Car-Net app for Apple Watch will allow VW customers to control features and functions available through the iPhone app and Customer Web Portal, directly from their wrist. Apple Watch wearers can keep an eye on their vehicle from afar, remotely locking and unlocking doors and viewing the status of doors, windows and sunroof (open or closed). Consumers will also be able to find a parked vehicle quickly, with a map of the current vehicle location, walking or driving directions to the vehicle, and the ability to honk the horn and flash the lights remotely. As with the Car-Net app for iPhone, Apple Watch wearers will also be able to receive alerts directly to their Apple Watch from the app.

Drivers of gasoline and TDI Clean Diesel-equipped Volkswagen vehicles will be able to check their fuel levels, while those driving the all-electric e-Golf will be able to monitor their current charge and estimated driving range, turn charging on or off and access climate control features, all from the Apple Watch.

VW Car-Net for Apple Watch will be available on the App Store for Apple Watch later this year.

Volkswagen Car-Net “Guide & Inform”. Car-Net Guide & Inform offers an enhanced navigation and infotainment experience for VW consumers. Volkswagen has incorporated technologies that enhance existing navigation offerings while adding an additional level of information that empowers consumers.

Satellite navigation is refined with Car-Net Guide & Inform, incorporating several layers of information right onto the screen. MIB II-equipped Volkswagen models with in-vehicle navigation systems will now feature real-time fuel prices, sports scores, movie information and weather data as part of the three month SiriusXM Travel Link trial. VW customers will also enjoy real-time traffic information and a complimentary four-year SiriusXM Traffic trial.

Volkswagen App-Connect. Through App-Connect, Volkswagen becomes one of the first automakers to offer three of the dominant technology standards available for in-vehicle smartphone integration. Understanding that one of the most important updates to the second generation of Car-Net is app and operating platform integration, the new App-Connect system creates seamless smartphone integration across smartphone brands utilizing three options: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink.

VW Apps. Volkswagen has also developed a number of apps that can be used as part

of the App-Connect suite, with plans to develop more in conjunction with each connectivity provider in the months to come.

In addition, Media Control, a technology that enables the integration of tablets and smart devices into the infotainment system and uses a special app that allows you to remotely control the infotainment system, will be available on e-Golf premium models.

The first MIB II-equipped Volkswagen models will hit dealer showrooms in the third quarter of 2015. The only 2016 Volkswagen models that will not receive the new technology are the Eos, which has a short production run, and the Touareg.

Customers purchasing new Volkswagen models equipped with VW Car-Net will receive a no-charge trial for six months after purchase. To extend the benefits of this connectivity system, customers can choose from a number of VW Car-Net payment options: 1 year, for $199; 2 years for $378; 3 years for $540; or, month-to-month, for $17.99.