Assistance Systems
Presse releases
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Volkswagen plans to make autonomous driving market-ready
Volkswagen AG today announced the foundation of Volkswagen Autonomy GmbH (VWAT GmbH) with headquarters in Munich and Wolfsburg. Another subsidary in Silicon Valley will follow in 2020. A further subsidiary is planned in China in 2021. As a centre of excellence for autonomous driving from Level 4, VWAT will serve to build up know-how within the Group and bring a self-driving system (SDS) to market maturity. The company will be managed by Alexander Hitzinger, Senior Vice President for autonomous driving in the Volkswagen Group and Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Technical Development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV). VWCV in Hanover is the leading brand within the Group for Autonomous Driving, Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), and Transport-as-a-Service (TaaS). -
Ford – Volkswagen expand their global collaboration to advance autonomous driving, electrification and better serve customers
Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen AG today announced they are expanding their global alliance to include electric vehicles – and will collaborate with Argo AI to in-troduce autonomous vehicle technology in the U.S. and Europe – positioning both companies to better serve customers while improving their competitiveness and cost and capital efficiencies. -
Volkswagen at the 40th International Vienna Motor Symposium: autonomous vehicles, hybrid drives and the start of a new era in electric mobility
Levels 3 and 4 of automated driving, a 48-volt drive system and a platform developed exclusively for e-vehicles – Volkswagen will be showcasing its progress toward integrated, CO2-neutral mobility at the 40th International Vienna Motor Symposium. The mild hybrid (mHEV) system makes an important contribution to sustainable mobility. Depending on the driving style, it can save around 0.4 litres of fuel over 100 kilometres and cut carbon emissions in the process. Volkswagen will also provide the first ever in-depth insight into its MEB (modular electric drive matrix), the basis for automated driving. -
Volkswagen tests highly-automated driving in Hamburg
Volkswagen Group Research is testing automated vehicles in urban traffic in Hamburg. This is the first time Volkswagen has begun to test automated driving to Level 4 at real driving conditions in a major German city. From now, a fleet of five e-Golf, equipped with laser scanners, cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radars, will drive on a three-kilometer section of the digital test bed for automated and connected driving in the Hanseatic city. The results of the test drives, which will be continuously evaluated taking full account of all data protection rules, will be incorporated in the Group’s numerous research projects on automated driving, and will test customer-centric services and optimize individual transport. -
Interactive headlights and tail light clusters help to raise the bar for safety in future
Innovative Volkswagen lighting technology is helping to boost safety. At the same time, it is also opening the door to increasingly personalised vehicle design. At an international workshop, Volkswagen is now showcasing how the lighting systems of the future will communicate and increase safety even further. -
Maximum light for maximum safety: Volkswagen relies on ultra-modern LED headlights
Wet conditions, fog, deer crossing – drivers face particular challenges in autumn and winter. The latest lighting systems which almost perfectly illuminate the road are proving helpful. Volkswagen has been focusing on the evolution of light for decades. The technical highlight of this development is the “IQ.-Light - LED matrix headlights” used on the Touareg. -
Let it shine – how Volkswagen brings cars to life with lighting design
Halogen, xenon, LED, laser and OLED – in just two decades, lighting technology and lighting design for vehicles have undergone revolutionary change. In addition to functional aspects such as enhancing visibility in traffic, headlights nowadays also have an emotional component. Lighting design can give a vehicle, like people, a face with its own expression and individual personality. This development will significantly influence the work of Volkswagen designers in the coming years. -
The new T-Cross – “I am safe”: standard Pedestrian Monitoring will make the city safer
Volkswagen is set to unveil the new T-Cross for the first time in a trailer entitled “I am safe”, two weeks ahead of the world première of the new SUV. At the end of the 14-second clip, the most compact of all Volkswagen Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) automatically activates emergency braking via the City Emergency Braking System, including Pedestrian Monitoring, to protect a distracted smartphone user who walks out into the road. “I am safe” is one of four focus areas that describe the most important properties of the T-Cross. The launch starts in spring 2019. -
Volkswagen to use virtual test drives to make new assistance systems production-ready
In future, Volkswagen intends to make new driver assistance systems production-ready even faster, also using virtual validation. The assistance systems of the next generation will then learn from virtually generated driving and traffic situations. The brand expects this approach to make development processes even faster and more efficient. In the long term, it is conceivable that millions of test kilometers required for validating automated driving could be completed in virtual environments. Experts from Volkswagen are already testing software developed in-house to simulate such driving in traffic situations. This software is to be used for teaching assistance systems for the ID. model family. -
Volkswagen receives awards from auto motor und sport magazine for exceptional design and interconnected technology
Readers of auto motor und sport magazine have selected the Volkswagen up! GTI to receive the ‘autonis’ award for design excellence, with the model coming top of its category. Volkswagen tasted further success with the We Park parking app, which received the Car Connectivity Award during the event. -
New Touareg receives five-star top rating in Euro NCAP
Top marks for Volkswagen's Touareg: the European consumer protection organisation Euro NCAP has awarded the new luxury class model the maximum possible rating of five stars. In the eyes of the independent crash test experts, the SUV performed excellently in all categories. -
Five tips for relaxing summer holidays with the car
A relaxing holiday starts with a pleasant journey. These days holidaymakers use their satnav and smartphone for a safe and stress-free journey. When these devices work as a team, they greatly enhance the holiday experience. The Volkswagen Car-Net is the key here. These five tips help drivers reduce stress levels when on holiday. -
Technology in the new Touareg – Part 6: Always on – In the digital fast lane with the eSIM
The new Touareg is “always on”. This is due to the factory-installed eSIM (fixed SIM card) built into the luxury SUV. It changes everything. The Touareg calls up the traffic situation online; Internet radio stations provide news, podcasts and music; navigation maps are updated online; buildings are displayed in 3D in the digital cockpit, providing a completely new navigation experience; and all passengers can go online via Wi-Fi hotspot. -
Volkswagen Expands E-Mobility Engagement in China
Volkswagen Group China today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp., Ltd. (JAC) and SEAT in Berlin, in the presence of German Chancellor An-gela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The three groups will together establish a new R&D center with a focus on developing electric vehicles, connectivity and autonomous driving technologies, as well as a competitive platform for battery electric vehicles (BEV). SEAT brand will be introduced to China by 2020/2021. The move is a significant step in reinforcing Sino-German cooperation, as well as supporting Volkswagen Group China’s drive to be a leader in e-mobility. -
Technology in the new Touareg – Part 5: the head-up display projects information onto the windscreen
The Innovision cockpit in the new Touareg – an interactive digital landscape consisting of display and control elements – is the blueprint for the cockpit of the future. A head-up display lends the perfect finishing touch: it projects a virtual summary of the latest key information into the driver’s selective field of vision. -
Technology in the new Touareg – Part 4: “Traffic Jam Assist” now also masters traffic jams and roadworks semi-automatically at speeds less than 55 km/h
Partly automated driving functions take comfort to an unprecedented level. The new Touareg is a ground-breaking example of this: The driver on board this luxury SUV is specifically assisted when steering, accelerating and braking by assist systems if desired. Thanks to the fusion of different systems, the Touareg can semi-automatically master irritating stop-and-go situations when “Traffic Jam Assist” is active. -
AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award 2018: Volkswagen honoured as the most innovative high-volume brand
The Volkswagen brand has been named the Most Innovative High-volume Brand for the third time in a row. The Group’s core brand was also presented with other awards in the categories ‘Alternative Drives’, ‘Autonomous Driving’ and ‘Safety and Conventional Drives’. The awards are presented annually by the Center of Automotive Management (an independent scientific institute), in cooperation with audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. The award decisions are based on the study AutomotiveINNOVATIONS, a jointly conducted study that has been analysing the innovation profiles and future trends of various automotive brands for the past seven years within the context of technical vehicle innovations. -
Volkswagen launches European marketing campaign for new Touareg
Volkswagen is taking the next step towards the market launch of the new Touareg. Since June 1, a 360° campaign including TV, printed media and social media channels is to be launched in Germany. Other European countries are to follow from mid-June. The Touareg is the brand’s new flagship and will occupy a leading position in the luxury SUV segment with its innovative operation, comfort and safety systems. The campaign designed by Grabarz & Partner presents these features in an appealing and humorous way. -
Technology in the new Touareg – Part 3: High-tech running gear with innovative roll stabilisation
The high-tech running gear in the new Touareg sets new standards for comfort and agility in the SUV segment: The most advanced version of the running gear, which is made largely of lightweight aluminium, features a combination of innovative four-corner pneumatic suspension with adaptive electronic damping control and – for the first time at Volkswagen - a completely newly developed electromechanical active roll compensation system (eAWS). The eAWS features active anti-roll bars which use electric motors and a 48-volt system to adapt instantly to the driving situation, bringing a level of agility and ride comfort that is practically unmatched by any other SUV. -
Israeli Startup enters the “Future Mobility Incubator” at the Gläserne Manufaktur in Dresden
Volkswagen supports innovative business ideas for future mobility. A young founder team was selected at the EcoMotion international mobility fair in Tel Aviv, Israel for the startup programme in the Future Mobility incubator at die Gläserne Manufaktur in Dresden: the Make My Day startup was chosen as the victor following a pitch competition. The startup is developing an innovative app, a kind of personal assistant for your car which looks for the optimal route for the driver, the optimised charging for electric vehicles and integrates necessary daily shopping into the route planning. The user will save time and money with Make My Day. The startup will begin work in Die Gläserne Manufaktur in September 2018, where they will have the opportunity to develop their ideas to market readiness with the support of Volkswagen and the City of Dresden’s business development team. -
The technological highlights of the new Touareg – part 2: all-wheel steering reduces the turn radius
It sounds rather like an attempt to achieve the impossible: with the new Touareg, Volkswagen is introducing a luxury SUV onto the market that is as agile and as easy to handle as a compact car. Can that really work? It certainly can – all thanks to the newly developed all-wheel steering system. Both the front and rear wheels turn precisely in tune with the specific driving situation. This all-wheel steering is one of the reasons why the heavyweight Touareg cuts such a dash even in narrow city streets or when maneouvring. The new system also provides extra driving stability at high speeds. -
Technology highlights of the new Touareg – Part 1: Night Vision protects people and animals when driving in the dark
The new Touareg will be released onto the market packed with a range of innovations designed to help minimise dangerous situations. The new Touareg is the first Volkswagen model available with the Night Vision assist system. A thermal image camera (infrared camera) integrated at the front of the car registers infrared radiation coming from a living organism. If this camera detects people or animals, the assistant warns the driver within the limits of the system. This reduces the risk of endangering pedestrians, especially when away from well-lit city streets. -
Volkswagen Group soon to have autonomous parking ready for series vehicles
Using what is to date unique technology, the Volkswagen Group is currently testing autonomous parking at Hamburg Airport: based on a car park map the Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche vehicles navigate their way to a parking space on their own. Orientation is provided for them by simple pictorial markers installed in the multi-storey car park. Its advantage: this can be used in essentially any car park. The function is set to be available for the first customers in selected multi-storey car parks from the start of the next decade. -
Article series: Small helpers with big effects – Part 4 Trailer Assist – Manoeuvring a car with trailer simply, quickly and safely
Driving with a trailer is a special challenge, even for practised car drivers. Above all, reversing manoeuvres can quickly become complicated and strenuous. Volkswagen offers help in precisely these types of situations with Trailer Assist, which simplifies the manoeuvring process considerably. Regardless of whether the task involves positioning a horse trailer in front of the right horse stall at an equestrian event or a caravan at a campsite. The system handles the steering while the driver accelerates and brakes the car-trailer combination. The driving direction is adjusted using the mirror adjustment switch. Easily, quickly and safely. -
Article series: Small helpers with big effects – Part 3 Avoiding accidents thanks to Rear Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitor
Exiting parking spaces in reverse is a common everyday situation in road traffic. When reversing from perpendicular parking spaces, the driver often has a poor view. Another electronic helper from Volkswagen helps here: Rear Traffic Alert. Radar sensors are installed at the rear of the vehicle. They monitor the zone behind and on the sides of the vehicle to supplement the ultrasonic parking sensors. Rear Traffic Alert recognises what the driver cannot see from their seat. If the system detects another vehicle approaching in cross traffic behind the car, it warns the driver preventively of the hazardous situation. If the driver does not react, the system can automatically initiate a brake intervention. This avoids collision damages or at least reduce them. -
Article series: Small helpers with big effects – Part 2 Seeing all around the car and manoeuvring safely with Area View and Rear View
A good all-round view is a prerequisite for safe parking. In parking situations, in particular, it is often difficult for drivers to get a comprehensive view around their entire vehicle. A small helper that produces big effects in such situations is Area View. A total of four cameras – installed at the rear, in the exterior mirrors and in the radiator grille – acquire images of the entire surroundings and project a live image in the cockpit display from a birds eye perspective. Other views can be shown according to the specific traffic situation and the purpose. This makes it easy to recognise potential obstacles in a timely way. -
Article series: Small helpers with big effects – Part 1 Simple and safe: Volkswagen simplifies parking
The everyday search for parking places takes a toll on time and nerves. When an available parking place is sighted, Volkswagen has been assisting drivers for around 20 years by implementing a parking process that incurs the least possible stress. That is because available assistance systems have been continuously improved over the years. The acoustic warning followed visual assistance. Twelve years ago, Volkswagen was the world's first carmaker to offer a parking assistant with automatic steering. In the latest generation, a Volkswagen can be made to steer into the smallest of parking spaces, either longitudinal or perpendicular, and it automatically brakes in an emergency situation. However, today’s Park Assist is only one of many different systems which can be found in Volkswagen models for assisting drivers in parking. -
Leading the way – Volkswagen presents the new Touareg
Volkswagen is making a statement by staging a world premiere of a new model for the first time in China – its largest market. The new Touareg marks a milestone in the brand's largest model and technology campaign, and it shows what engineers and designers at Volkswagen can do. The new flagship takes a top position in the premium class SUV segment with its expressive design, its innovative operating, convenience and safety systems, as well as in the high quality of its materials and craftsmanship. -
New Volkswagen Centre of Competence for Safety
With its new safety centre, Volkswagen is bringing together its vehicle safety expertise at a single location. Blending into the existing architecture, a new three-story building with approximately 8,000 square metres of floor space was constructed at the headquarters in Wolfsburg. The centrepiece is a new state-of-the-art crash sled facility which for the first time can simulate lateral and rotational vehicle body movements both horizontally and vertically. -
Volkswagen world premiere in Geneva The ID. VIZZION – the saloon for tomorrow and beyond
In a world premiere event at the Geneva Motor Show (6 to 18 March) Volkswagen is presenting the ID. VIZZION concept car – the new flagship of the electric ID. Family. With the ID. VIZZION, Volkswagen defines the saloon of tomorrow and beyond: autonomous driving, effortless control via augmented reality, and adaptive learning thanks to artificial intelligence. The ID. VIZZION thus achieves a new dimension of comfort, convenience, safety, and sustainability. -
ID. VIZZION: Volkswagen shows the future flagship of the ID. family
With the new ID. VIZZION, the Volkswagen brand has today given a glimpse of the individual mobility of the future on the evening before the Geneva International Motor Show. The full electric sedan will be the future top model of the ID. family and will reach the roads by 2022 at the latest. In addition, it is prepared for fully autonomous driving. The ID. VIZZION is part of Volkswagen's major product and technology offensive. By 2025, the brand intends to sell at least 1 million electric cars per year and to become the market leader in e-mobility. -
World premiere of the ID. VIZZION in Geneva Volkswagen shows the potential of its new range of ID. models
The ID. VIZZION supports the Volkswagen claim for future individual mobility. Its electric drive system makes the car clean in road traffic, and its automatic driving control will make it safe and much more comfortable. At the same time, this innovative concept car at the Geneva International Motor Show demonstrates how elegant and emotional the design of a vehicle of the future can be. Inside the ID. VIZZION, a completely new feeling of driving and living is created without a steering wheel or visible controls. -
Volkswagen and NVIDIA to Infuse AI into Future Vehicle Lineup
Volkswagen and NVIDIA today shared their vision for how AI and deep learning will shape the development of a new generation of intelligent Volkswagen vehicles. At the kickoff of the 2018 International CES, Volkswagen CEO Dr Herbert Diess and NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang discussed on stage how AI is transforming the auto industry and highlighted the new ID. BUZZ, Volkswagen's exciting new rebirth of the iconic Volkswagen MicroBus, reimagined in electric car form and infused with AI technology for the cockpit and self-driving. -
LED is the new xenon – Daylight-bright headlights for safety through the winter months
In Europe, the sun is rising around 7 am these days, and it already dips back below the horizon around 4 pm. That makes for a short nine hour period of daylight. By 21 December – the first day of winter on the calendar – the sun has an even shorter appearance. Many people consider it stressful to drive in the dark and under winter weather conditions that are often harsh. That is why Volkswagen is offering relief in the form of powerful LED headlights. They are replacing xenon systems in growing numbers of model series – from the Polo to the Arteon. The LED headlights even come as standard in 22 equipment versions – including all three lines of the Arteon. If the car is also equipped with the optional ‘Active Lighting System', its interactive LED headlights utilise data from the front camera and navigation system to predictively illuminate the next curve. -
Los Angeles Auto Show 2017: Volkswagen will shape electric mobility of the future
At the Los Angeles Auto Show Volkswagen is offering visitors a look at the future of its electric mobility campaign. Volkswagen is presenting three show cars at the Californian show – the compact ID., the spacious ID. BUZZ and the elegant ID.CROZZ SUV. They represent a completely new vehicle architecture that has been consistently designed for electric drive systems. By 2025 the Volkswagen brand plans to sell one million electric vehicles per year and is aiming to be the market leader in electric mobility. The first model from the all-electric ID. Family for Europe will be a compact model, while in the USA the first model will be an SUV. -
Golf Sportsvan – the update
Perfected all-rounder The Golf Sportsvan is one of the most flexible and spacious cars in the compact class. With its elevated seating position and a rear seating system with longitudinal adjustment, the Sportsvan offers interior properties that are otherwise usually found only in a traditional van. As a result, this Golf will appeal to drivers who like to sit a little higher, who travel with children, who want flexibility for their leisure activities and who value a compact Volkswagen that offers a lot of stowage space. Now an update has sharpened the design and features of the all-rounder while, at the same time, Volkswagen has updated its drive, assistance and infotainment systems. -
Polo and T-Roc attain top safety ratings 5 stars from Euro NCAP for the newest Volkswagen
The new Polo and T-Roc have attained the top rating of five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. The two latest Volkswagen models attain very good figures in all key test areas: ‘Adult Occupant', ‘Child Occupant', ‘Pedestrian' and ‘Safety Assist' (assistance systems). Dr Frank Welsch, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Development: "Volkswagen has been democratising safety for decades now. The outstanding Euro NCAP ratings for the Polo and T-Roc demonstrate once again how we are making maximum safety available to the drivers of mini and compact models as well." The Polo is available at prices from 12,975 euros, and the T-Roc from 20,390 euros (prices for Germany). The base versions of both the Polo and the T-Roc are already well equipped with six airbags, ESC including counter steering assistance, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and the Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring. The T-Roc also comes with the Lane Assist lane keeping system as standard. -
The new Golf Sportsvan now available for ordering
In September, Volkswagen presented the update of the Golf Sportsvan at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. It offers an extended range of assistance systems and a new generation of infotainment systems (top system has gesture control). In addition, standard equipment has been extended to include LED tail lights, the Composition Colour radio and the Driver Alert System. Nonetheless, the entry-level price of €20,475 (with a 1.0 TSI engine that outputs 63 kW / 85 PS) remains unchanged compared to the previous model. -
Chancellor Merkel visits Volkswagen at the IAA: Powertrain concepts of the future presented
At the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt today, German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel was given a glimpse of the automotive future. "The automobile has its best days ahead of it. With the right concepts, Volkswagen will contribute to shaping the automobile of the future," said Dr. Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand. Over the next five years, the brand will be investing about €3.5 billion in the optimization of conventional diesel, gasoline and natural gas powertrains. During the same period, €6 billion will be invested in e-mobility. At the IAA, Volkswagen is exhibiting the current state of development with the latest models and presenting the electric future of mobility in the form of concept vehicles from the ID. model family. The first production ID. models will be on show at the IAA in 2019. -
IAA 2017: Volkswagen brand points the way to the automotive future
The Volkswagen brand is pointing the way to the future at its motor show appearance at this year's International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt: along with the world premiere of the new ID.CROZZ – a zero emission SUV that will go into production in 2020 – three other premieres will be featured: the new T-Roc, the new Polo GTI and the updated Golf Sportsvan. Dr Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Brand Board of Management Volkswagen Passenger Cars: "We will be thoroughly updating our vehicle range by 2020 and expanding into important segments. In 2025 Volkswagen Brand will already be offering 23 all-electric models and invest 6 billion euros in electric mobility over the next five years. In this process, the different drive technologies will continue to have currency for many years to come. It makes sense for diesel, petrol and electric drives to mutually complement one another." -
Volkswagen Group Night at the IAA 2017: Volkswagen brand presents the new ID. CROZZ
The countdown has begun for a breakthrough in electric mobility, and 2020 could represent the turning point. That is because the Volkswagen brand is accelerating into this new era by developing a new generation of innovative electric vehicles – the ID., ID. BUZZ and ID.CROZZ. Dr Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management, had this to say at the Volkswagen Group Night: "The Volkswagen Brand will be investing 6 billion euros in electric mobility over the next five years. Our task is to make modern technology available to many people. This is especially important in times of technological transformation. One thing is clear: The Golf of the future must once again be a people's car!". -
The new Polo with groundbreaking convenience & driver assistance systems
With its new Polo, Volkswagen is putting one of the world's most advanced small cars on the road. One area where this is evident is its range of new assistance and convenience systems. With assistance systems such as the Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, the Blind Spot Monitor lane change assistant, the Rear Parking Alert system, and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), the Polo is one of the safest and most comfortable cars in its segment. -
Ready to Roc! – World premiere of the new T-Roc
As part of the biggest model offensive in its history, Volkswagen is extending its model range by adding a compact-class crossover: the T-Roc. The new crossover from Volkswagen brings fresh impetus to the compact SUV class. It offers maximum personalisation, innovative digitalisation, perfect connectivity, leading-edge driver assistance systems, dynamic engines and above all modern, expressive design. A car that is just as much at home in the city as it is on rough terrain. -
Decision to manufacture an electric VW Microbus based on the iconic design of the ID. BUZZconcept
The ID. BUZZ concept car from Volkswagen is being further developed in preparation for its launch as a production vehicle. The Chairmen of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands, Dr Herbert Diess and Dr Eckhard Scholz, announced their production decision today at the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, California, a unique show for both extraordinary historic cars and new concept vehicles. "Just the right place for the ID. BUZZ," explains Diess. "The vehicle is an important pillar in Volkswagen's electric drive initiative and carries the Microbus driving feeling into the future." -
Relaxed driving in the summer holidays Traffic Jam Assist is your intelligent chauffeur in stop-and-go traffic
Summer is the time for holiday travel. Unfortunately this also involves heavy traffic and long traffic jams, as the typical routes of travel are often overcrowded. Mountain passes become a chokepoint, ferry lanes a bottleneck, and high-speed motorways around major cities transform into carparks. Stop-and-go driving in traffic jams turns holiday driving into a test of patience, and also it presents a risk of rear-end collisions. Volkswagen's Traffic Jam Assist is there to help in such situations. This innovative assistance system is already available together with the dual clutch gearbox (DSG) on the Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran, Passat, Passat Variant and Arteon. -
The new Arteon receives top mark of 5 stars in the Euro NCAP
With top marks for the new Arteon, Volkswagen has again achieved outstanding results in the latest Euro NCAP crash test series. The independent European consumer protection organisation gave Volkswagen's new fastback model its highest rating of five stars. The rating recognises not only the new Arteon's occupant protection for adults and children, but also its driver assistance systems fitted as standard and its performance in the area of 'Pedestrian protection'. According to Euro NCAP, the Arteon became the highest scoring executive vehicle for pedestrian protection to date thanks in part to the emergency braking function that is also fitted as standard. -
German Mobility Award 2017: Emergency Assist from Volkswagen acclaimed as a pioneering innovation
Volkswagen's Emergency Assist driver assistance system has won the 'German Mobility Award 2017'. The award was presented to Volkswagen yesterday evening by the 'Germany – Land of Ideas' initiative and the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure for safe, intelligent mobility. Accepting the award, Stefan Gies, Head of Chassis Development for the Volkswagen brand, said: "Emergency Assist makes an important contribution to reducing accidents. Thanks to the continuous enhancement of our driver assistance systems, we succeed in pointing the way to the mobility of the future. This award is recognition for the expertise and dedication of our development team." -
With the aim of increasing safety in road traffic, Volkswagen will enable vehicles to communicate with each other as from 2019
Connectivity between different vehicles as well as between vehicles and transport infrastructure in the vicinity is another important step towards connected motoring that aims to reduce road accidents or minimise their consequences. As from 2019, Volkswagen will therefore start fitting its first models with pWLAN as standard in order to serve as an additional communication technology for the exchange selected information relevant to traffic between cars made by different manufacturers. This will involve information being exchanged both between vehicles (car-to-car), as well as between vehicles and the transport infrastructure (car-to-X)*. This will, for example, enable information about the current traffic situation, accidents and other situations relating to traffic conditions to be shared with the local environment, within a radius of approx. 500 m, even faster than has been possible in the past. -
The New Volkswagen Arteon Innovative assistance systems in detail – part 4 "Active Lighting System"
They are fractions of a second which matter at night: a section of country road that has many bends, a bend in a residential area with poor road lighting – and there might be an obstacle in the dark somewhere on the road. The Arteon is the first Volkswagen to offer a dynamic cornering light with new predictive control functionality. The LED dual headlights illuminate the upcoming bend up to two seconds sooner before the vehicle is even steered into it. The Arteon's new lighting system develops these 'clairvoyant' powers by networking with the front camera and the navigation system. -
The new Volkswagen Arteon Innovative assistance systems in detail – part 3: "Adaptive cruise control ACC" looks ahead
The Arteon is a gran turismo, ideal for long distances. The new, optionally available "adaptive cruise control ACC" with predictive speed control gives enhanced comfort over long distances. The further developments in "ACC" can integrate speed limits for the first time. So far, the assistance system was known purely as cruise control: adjust the desired speed, that's all. Within system limits, "adaptive cruise control ACC" can take over braking and acceleration. So far, so good. However, anyone who has ever driven a car with "ACC" will have wished that the system could "think" and also take into account bends and speed limits, thus adding even more comfort. The Arteon is the first Volkswagen to do just that: within system limits, it reacts to bends and speed limits and integrates them into the adaptive speed control. -
The New Volkswagen Arteon Innovative driver assistance systems in detail – part 2: 'Pre-Crash proactive occupant protection system'
It's a scenario that no one wishes for: traffic lights on red, a look in the rear-view mirror, the vehicle behind is approaching much too fast – a rear-end crash is looming. In such situations, the new, optional 'Pre-Crash occupant protection system' in the Arteon now provides assistance to the limit of its capabilities. For the first time, the Pre-Crash sensors are able to react not only to processes relating to driving dynamics (detected by functions such as the ESC) and to acute risks of collision from the front (registered by Front Assist), but also to hazards at the rear. For this the system uses data from Side Assist. Within fractions of a second it is able to initiate measures to lessen wherever possible the consequences of any accident. -
The new Volkswagen Arteon Innovative driver assistance systems in detail – part 1: Emergency Assist – automatic help in emergencies
'Autonomous driving' – a term currently generating more animated discussion than almost any other in the automotive world. It fascinates and polarises in equal measure. The fact is: automated driving functions increase comfort and often safety as well. The new Arteon is therefore fitted with more driver assistance systems than any Volkswagen before. These systems are interconnected with each other, as it is the interaction of their sensors and computers that actually makes autonomous driving functions possible. Through the fusion of four driver assistance systems, the Arteon possesses a form of technology that in many circumstances can help to prevent serious accidents: Emergency Assist 2.0. As soon as the sensors of the avant-garde gran turismo notice that the driver has become incapacitated, the Arteon takes over the proverbial helm. Within the bounds of its system capabilities, it warns other road users and automatically steers to the nearside lane, where it stops. -
2017 AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award: Volkswagen wins award as the most innovative volume brand
Today the Volkswagen brand received the award "Most Innovative Volume Brand" from the Center of Automotive Management (CAM). The established industry award was presented at a gala in Frankfurt to Stefan Gies, Head of Passenger Car Chassis Development at Volkswagen. In addition, Volkswagen received two further awards as the most innovative brand in the categories "Interface & Connectivity" and "Autonomous Driving & Safety" -
NAIAS 2017 in Detroit: Volkswagen presents the ID. BUZZ
The new era of electric mobility is starting and Volkswagen is set to define it: with the ID. BUZZ, Volkswagen is presenting at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit the microbus of the new age. The electric MPV concept gives a renewed look ahead towards the future – with the aim of bringing electric mobility for all into the world of tomorrow. The new brand claim sums it up: "We make the future real." -
Euro NCAP 2016: the Tiguan is "Best in Class"
The European New Car Assessment Programme Euro NCAP has published the best models of the year for 2016. The coveted title goes to the Tiguan, which was awarded "Best in Class" in the "Small off-roader" segment. This successor to the popular best-seller is among the safest vehicles in its segment. -
Safety first – Volkswagen accident research provides important insights for technical development department
About 44 million cars are registered in Germany, and the figure is rising. With more motorists, the risk of accidents increases. For nearly two decades Volkswagen accident research has been working closely alongside the engineers and developers at Volkswagen to sustainably reduce the risk of accidents, providing crucial information for the development of new assistance systems. -
"The third eye for the right speed" – Dynamic Road Sign Display delivers the latest information in real time
"Is there still a speed limit?" Probably every motorist has at some time asked this question either in the city or when driving on open roads and motorways. If you can't get any indications either from passengers or other signs, you run the risk of getting caught at the next speed control. In this case Volkswagen's traffic sign recognition can be helpful. Within the limits of the system, you can check on the most important warning and prohibition signs along the routes in real time. -
Parking made easy: a decade of "Park Assist"
Ten years ago, Volkswagen was the first automobile manufacturer in the world to introduce parking assistants. Thanks to continuous development, "Park Assist" has become more and more intelligent and can get into the tightest of spaces accurately. -
Volkswagen at 2016 Paris International Motor Show: World premiere of the visionary ID. concept car
Think New! Under this guiding principle, and with a visionary electric vehicle, Volkswagen is offering a fascinating outlook on the mobility of tomorrow at the Paris International Motor Show (1 –16 October). The world premiere of the ID. is the focal point of the company's show appearance. The zero-emission ID. will already be going into production in 2020, and it will kick off a new generation of innovative electric vehicles. -
ID. – the world premiere
World premiere of the ID. starts the countdown to a new era for Volkswagen Volkswagen plans for the visionary ID. to hit the road in 2020 An ambassador: the ID. is the first Volkswagen of a new fleet of electric cars It runs and runs: the ID. has a range of 400 to 600 kilometres Ready for the future: the ID. concept car demonstrates a fully automated mode for the year 2025 -
Mondial de l'Automobile Paris 2016: Volkswagen presents an electric car for a new era
The presence of Volkswagen at this year's Paris Motor Show (1 to 16 October) is all about "Think New.": in presenting the world premiere of an iconic design study, Volkswagen introduces a new ambassador to the automotive world. -
Volkswagen enters into cooperation with top Israeli experts to establish an automotive cyber security company
Volkswagen, three leading Israeli experts and their team are jointly establishing an automotive cyber security company. The newly founded CYMOTIVE Technologies led by Yuval Diskin, Tsafrir Kats and Dr Tamir Bechor will develop advanced cyber security solutions for next generation connected cars and mobile services. -
Sharan available with new top-of-the-range engine and 4Motion drive
Powerful, popular and extremely practical: The Sharan can now be ordered with a new engine and gearbox combination, which makes it an ideal leisure and towing vehicle. In conjunction with 4Motion all-wheel drive and a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG), the engine with 184 PS (135 kW)1, mainly known from the Golf GTD, provides the perfect combination of sportiness and efficiency. This engine and gearbox combination is also available on the special Allstar model and as well as special equipment specifications comes with a five-year warranty. -
A navigation system that learns: "Regular Routes" makes driving more relaxing
In order to make things easier for commuters, Volkswagen has developed a learning-enabled navigation feature known as Regular Routes. The great thing about the system is that it automatically "memorises" regularly driven routes (e.g. to work) and then scans them to see if there are any traffic disturbances. If a jam has been identified along the route, the navigation system will automatically select an alternate route even when in the inactive mode. So, how much does it cost? Nothing, actually, since the latest generation of the Discover Media and Discover Pro radio-navigation systems from Volkswagen come with Regular Routes as a standard feature. -
"Schutzranzen" protects children in road traffic
Volkswagen has signed a strategic partnership with Coodriver GmbH. The focus of the cooperation is the "Schutzranzen" (protection satchel) app that will help motorists to see children on the road in time to avoid dangerous situations. The new application will be integrated into the display and operating system of new Volkswagen models in future. -
Goods transport of the future: MAN and Scania rely on digitally connected trucks
Transporting goods on highways could soon become even more efficient and safe thanks to digitally connected semitrailer tractors. To demonstrate this, MAN and Scania will participate in the "European Truck Platooning Challenge" - a test drive for trucks that are connected in platoons via digital data transfer. In this case, two or more trucks drive behind each other at a small distance making optimum use of the slipstream of the vehicle driving in front. The driver in the first vehicle sets the direction and speed. The other trucks that follow are semi-automated. This reduces diesel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to ten percent. -
Volkswagen recalls vehicles with Takata driver side frontal airbag inflators in the U.S.
Volkswagen of America has notified the US-American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of an upcoming recall affecting approximately 680.000 Volkswagen vehicles of model years 2006 to 2014 in the United States. Volkswagen has been notified by the agency that certain driver side frontal airbag inflators in Volkswagen vehicles could be defective. -
Mobileye and Volkswagen form strategic partnership
Volkswagen is entering into a strategic partnership with Mobileye, a technology leader in the area of automated image processing. The companies signed a letter of intent to this effect today at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The central focus of the joint venture is camera-based real-time image processing technology which – in conjunction with highly precise digitalized maps - is the key to autonomous driving. -
UR:BAN research initiative: Urban traffic of the future will feature intelligent vehicles
Today, in Düsseldorf, the UR:BAN research initiative (Urban Space: user-friendly assistance systems and network management) is presenting the results of its four years of work. Together with 30 partners, Volkswagen Group Research is making presentations on its intelligent and cooperative driver assistance systems for the transportation of tomorrow. In the future, they will offer drivers safer, stress-free and quick trips in the complex urban transportation environment. The two-day event will give the around 300 visitors an opportunity to learn about and experience the latest technologies and systems in direct interaction with experts. -
Euro NCAP awards top rating of 5 stars to the new Touran
The new Touran has passed the independent European NCAP safety tests with top marks. The latest generation of the popular family MPV has therefore been awarded the highest rating of 5 stars and ranks as one of the safest cars in Europe. -
e-smartConnect: Volkswagen is conducting research on an automated quick-charging system for the next generation of electric vehicles
Volkswagen AG is once again underscoring the leading role it plays in electric and automated drive systems — and is already looking ahead to the next generation of electric vehicles. The improvements Volkswagen has achieved with the energy density and capacity of its traction batteries will enable a range of more than 500 km in the foreseeable future. This will lead to "true electrification" of personal transport with a large volume of vehicles. In order to make charging times for such vehicles as short as possible — and the charging process as efficient and convenient as can be — engineers in Wolfsburg are working on an automated direct-current charging system, a so-called automated e-filling station "e-smartConnect". -
UR:BAN research initiative presents innovative driver assistance systems of tomorrow
The UR:BAN research initiative (UR:BAN = Urban space: user-friendly assistance systems and network management) presented its interim half-time results this morning in a presentation in Braunschweig. Together with its 30 partners, Volkswagen Group Research is there to present intelligent and cooperative driver assistance systems for future transportation which will enable safe, stress-free and rapid driving in complex urban traffic. -
European research project 'AdaptIVe' develops features for automated driving
Today marked the beginning of the European research project AdaptIVe (Automated Driving Applications & Technologies for Intelligent Vehicles) at the MobileLifeCampus in Wolfsburg, Germany. It is a consortium of 29 partners that aims to achieve breakthrough advances that will lead to more efficient and safe automated driving.
Stories
15 Laptops are steering this Golf
Since March 2019 Volkswagen has been testing autonomous driving on public roads in Hamburg with five converted e-Golf. By 2025, a self-driving system should be ready for the markets.
Realtime safety with UWB
From new anti-theft protection to comfort and security applications: Volkswagen presents future utilization areas for socalled “Ultra-Wideband technology” (UWB).
Driving at the limit
They are driving on a Portuguese race track: Volkswagen development engineers with autonomous driving cars. The independent motor journalist Michael Gebhardt was there and even got in the car.
“Self-driving Cars Present a Great Opportunity”
Alexander Hitzinger, Board of Management member for Development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, is responsible for developing autonomous driving at the Volkswagen Group. In an interview, he talks about the cooperation with Ford, technological challenges and future business models.
"We want to establish MEB as an industry standard"
Volkswagen and Ford intensify their strategic alliance. In an interview, Volkswagen’s CEO explains the Group’s three strategic goals.
Goal: five stars!
As part of NCAP crash tests, each car must meet different requirements. The requirements vary from country to country. This poses major challenges for international carmakers like Volkswagen.
The new Passat: interview with the project leader
Presales for the new Passat have started. A young team has taken the task of perfecting the successful mid-range model. The outcome is something to be proud of.
Travelling with radar and laser
More than a few denizens of the city have been pleasantly astonished by the sight of autonomous e-Golfs* driving on the streets of Hamburg. The driver only grabs the wheel in exceptional circumstances. The car is testing autonomous driving!
"April Fool!": The optical revolution
A new feature called OOPS, which allows car drivers to safely do without their glasses while driving? As you probably realized, the innovation we reported on yesterday, on 1st of April, under the headline "Get a clear view" was not meant to be serious.
Basic infos
The New Passat – The Update
Press kit Volkswagen Passat, International Media Drive, June 2019
“I am more” – the new T-Cross
Covered Drive
The T-Cross – a new class of Volkswagen
Leading the way – The new Touareg
A fusion of technologies: Assistance, comfort and driving dynamics systems allow for a new level of safety and performance
Digitalised cockpit: Displays of the instruments and infotainment system merge into a new “Innovision Cockpit”
Night becomes day: “Nightvision” and new “IQ.Light – LED matrix headlight” ensure increased safety in the dark
Lighter and bigger: The aluminium-steel body of the new Touareg weighs 106 kg less and the luggage compartment has an additional 113 litres
ID. VIZZION – World Premiere
Basic facts – the ID. VIZZION in key points
The new Polo GTI – Driving presentation
First Polo GTI to feature so many driver assistance systems
First Polo GTI with the option of fully digital instruments
The new Polo – Driving presentation
Sportier, larger, more connected and personalised – the new Polo launches with a digital cockpit for the first time