Assistance Systems

Going on holiday can sometimes be tiring. The many comfort and assistance systems in the latest Volkswagen models help to make the most beautiful time of the year far more relaxed. We explain how the systems work and how these life hacks can make days off even better.

Digital assistants are increasingly taking over our everyday lives. They are the little helpers that play us our favourite songs on demand, tell us the weather or control the heating and lights in our homes. They often show whether they are receiving or communicating directly with us by means of a coloured light ring. This feature has also arrived in the latest generation of electric vehicles, the ID. family, in a very similar form – as ID. Light. This is a narrow light strip under the windscreen designed to intuitively assist the vehicle occupants. The ID. Light uses different light pulses to signal whether the car is ready to drive, which direction – according to the navigation system – it should turn next or whether the battery is currently being charged.

Redefined – the SUV as an all-rounder. Volkswagen is launching a new SUV model on the European market: the Tayron. The five- or seven-seater sport utility vehicle is positioned between the exclusive Touareg (premium class) and the efficient Tiguan (mid-sized class). Pre-sales are due to start in the autumn. The Tayron was developed and designed in Wolfsburg, and that’s also where it will be built. The SUV’s technical basis is the latest evolutionary stage of the modular transverse (MQB evo) platform. In addition, technology systems that were first developed for the Touareg have been adapted. Examples of the technology transferred to the Tayron include the interactive IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights and the seats with a pneumatic 10-chamber pressure point massage function. One thing is certain: the new Tayron is an SUV whose comfort features are best-in-class, whose appealing quality with details such as real wood trim give it a luxury-class feel, whose superior luggage compartment volume with five passengers on board reaches up to 885 litres, whose outstanding aerodynamics (drag coefficient = 0.28) decisively optimise efficiency and whose plug-in hybrid drive with over 100 km of electric range (forecast) is one of the most economical systems of its kind in the world. The Tayron is also a stylish automotive towing vehicle that – with a maximum trailer weight of up to 2.5 tonnes – is perfect for transporting horses, classic cars, motor boats or a large caravan for holidays.

A class of its own. The Volkswagen Passat is a global bestseller. To date, more than 34 million units have been delivered to almost every country in the world. An ongoing success – even five decades after its debut, the Passat is currently one of the three best-selling Volkswagens internationally alongside the Tiguan and Polo (with their derivatives). In Europe, it has always been a steady long-term seller, especially as the Variant. Since 2022, Volkswagen has therefore exclusively offered the Passat as an estate version between the North Cape and Gibraltar. And with resounding success. In Germany, for example, the Passat Variant was topped the rankings in the mid-sized class in 2023, with 45,494 new registrations. The secret to its success is the fact that the Passat Variant is two cars in one – a business class vehicle and a family all-rounder at the same time. Now, a brand-new Passat Variant is being launched that has been developed from scratch. And this time, it is breaking down class boundaries. Even though the Passat Variant – now in its ninth generation – is priced (from 39,995 euros) in the mid-sized class, its new size, new quality standard and new innovative power mean it can cater to the next segment up.

Volkswagen is continuing to ramp up the speed of the electrical transformation: the latest hardware and software updates to the ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 are now set to be followed by the start of series production of the brand new ID.7. The fastback saloon was recently named ‘German Car of the Year 2024’ (www.gcoty.de) by an international jury. And the new Volkswagen not only took first place in the Premium category, but also the overall competition. The winner was selected from all new vehicles presented over the past 12 months. Measuring almost five metres long and equipped with the best convenience features, the ID.7 is a Volkswagen positioned in the upper mid-size vehicle class. Here, it impresses with a new high-efficiency drive, long ranges, quick charging, generous space, a brand new high-tech interior concept and a high quality standard. The ID.7 will be launched around the world. It all starts in Europe: the new Volkswagen can already be ordered here as a 210 kW (286 PS)∗∗ ID.7 Pro with a 77 kWh battery. A Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) range of up to 621∗ kilometres has been calculated for this model. Volkswagen plans to expand the product line’s portfolio further over the coming months. The launch version will be followed by ID.7 models with an even larger battery, a sporty GTX version with all-wheel drive, and an estate version, which will be called Tourer in the ID-7 product line.