Innovations

Tiptronic provides the convenience of an automatic and the driving enjoyment and sportiness of a manual gearbox. Safety, e.g. when overtaking, is provided by the automatic change-up feature when the engine speed limit is reached. The sporty driver benefits from changing down and using the engine for braking before a bend or when climbing hills.

The DSG transmission is a system composed of two common transmissions, with two clutches for two input shafts. When driving in a particular gear, the electronics automatically pre-select the next upper/lower gears depending on the engine load. Therefore, shifting between gears happens instantly, and in absence of loss of engine power during gear change, gives it a seamless character.

The Auto Hold function prevents the vehicle from rolling away accidentally when standing still or when setting off. In this way Auto Hold offers the ultimate in convenience and comfort when driving or setting off, along with enhanced safety.

The photovoltaic elements incorporated in the sunroof under glass, produce an electrical current even at the lowest levels of solar radiation, and thus provide power for the fan in the vehicle. The preliminary cooling enables the air-conditioning system to reduce the internal temperature to the required level more quickly, with low energy consumption and little use of the fan.

The multi-function display located directly in the driver’s view is a compact information unit which ensures convenience and safety. The driver can take in important vehicle information at a glance and therefore devote his full attention to the road.

The driver can use the multifunction steering wheel to operate the audio system and the navigation system (if fitted) without having to take a hand off the wheel. This is not only convenient, it also boosts safety.

When leaving the vehicle, the low-beam headlights, the courtesy lights in the door mirror housings, the tail lights and number-plate illumination are switched off after a certain delay (coming home) and switched on when the driver unlocks the doors with the radio remote control (leaving home).

The Climatronic air conditioning with 2-zone temperature control allows separate temperatures to be set for the driver and front passenger side. The maximum possible temperature difference is dictated by the size of the interior and the arrangement of the air vents.

Park distance control is a parking aid to warn of the distance from obstacles at the front and rear. A repeated warning signal tells the driver how far the vehicle is from the obstacle. As the gap decreases, the frequency of the acoustic signal increases. The parking distance control at the front can be switched off to adjust to traffic situations. The rear Park Pilot unit is automatically switched on when the reverse gear is engaged.

Airbags combine with the seat belts to reduce the risk of severe head and chest injuries in collisions with a certain severity. When inflated, these airbags cushion the head and upper body and distribute the resulting loads over as large an area as possible. The carefully defined inflation of the airbags is designed to reduce the load placed on the driver and front passenger in the event of an accident. In addition to the front airbags, side airbags and a head airbag system are also available.

The anti-lock braking system prevents the wheels from locking up during an emergency stop or when braking on a slippery surface, ensuring that drivers are still able to steer the vehicle. This allows the driver to take evasive action to avoid colliding with any obstacles in the road ahead. With "off-road" ABS, the wheels can lock up briefly before the system reduces the brake pressure. This allows time for a small wedge of material from the ground (such as gravel or sand) to build up in front of the wheels, which then increases the braking effect.

In order to protect against theft an audible alarm goes off when an unauthorized entry is detected by contacts on the doors, engine compartment and luggage compartment or by ultrasonic motion sensors or current consumers in the vehicle's interior. The system also detects attempted vehicle entry through a broken window.

Thanks to the entirely redeveloped engine families, consistently trimmed for lower CO2 figures with start-stop recuperation systems as standard, the global innovation of active cylinder management in four-cylinder engines, EU-6 certification and a CNG option, emissions are significantly reduced.

The MQB will also lead to a reversal of the weight spiral. Take the example of the Golf: Despite tremendous advances in the areas of comfort and safety, the weight of the next-generation Golf will be on a par with that of the fourth-generation Golf (1997-2004). More driving pleasure, lower fuel consumption.

The modular matrix principle makes possible around 20 innovations in the areas of safety, driver assistance and infotainment which were previously reserved for the higher vehicle segments. This is not only a positive development for new customers but is also of benefit to other road users.

The modular matrix principle makes the latest sustainable technologies accessible to every new car buyer in emerging markets. Above all, a genuine positive effect for society is achieved by means of innovations that make road transport safer for all road users around the world, and developments which reduce air pollution in every market. The high flexibility of intelligent modular systems makes the implementation of regional requirements more feasible.

All these aspects help to secure the success of the Group from both economic and ecological perspectives. As a result of the high number of vehicles and customers that will benefit, as well as suppliers to the Volkswagen Group in Europe and worldwide, they also represent a contribution to meeting the social challenges of the present and of the future.