Car2X guarantees more safety. Car2X communication means that the Golf is the first Volkswagen to communicate with other vehicles and traffic infrastructure in the vicinity to exchange information relevant to the traffic situation, within a radius of up to 800 metres. This information is exchanged within milliseconds. Thanks to the application of a harmonised Car2X standard (Wi-Fi p/ITS G5) within the European Union (EU) that is valid for all manufacturers, it is possible to transfer information between vehicles of all brands as well as the infrastructure within all EU member states. This “common language” is a crucial requirement to cut the number of road traffic accidents throughout all countries. Thanks to Car2X, drivers are notified and warned of local traffic hazards.
- Car2X in detail: The traffic hazard alert function uses Car2X communication to notify and warn drivers about local hazards. Car2X communication registers the following scenarios: Accidents, broken down vehicles, tail ends of traffic jams, roadworks, emergency braking and emergency service vehicles. In the case of emergency service vehicles, for example, the hazard alert makes it possible to provide drivers with targeted, specific information about the distance and direction of approaching ambulances, fire service vehicles, police vehicles, etc. equipped with Car2X systems, thus allowing drivers to react in good time. The system can also help to reduce risks, for instance caused by emergency service vehicles running a red light during emergency deployments. Emergency service vehicles’ response times can also be cut, for instance thanks to vehicles forming an emergency corridor in good time. Vehicles that have broken down or been involved in an accident can also highlight the potentially hazardous situation at an early stage by issuing a virtual warning triangle (displayed in other vehicles’ cockpit). The electronic brake light represents an additional safety feature: if vehicles driving further ahead of the Golf brake sharply, the brake lights of the vehicles behind are automatically activated. As a result, all vehicles behind and their drivers are able to react significantly earlier thanks to Car2X. It is clear that targeted visual and audible driver support in hazardous situations using direct Car2X communication in the Golf can prevent accidents – and that represents a milestone on the path to accident-free driving.
Travel Assist. The new Travel Assist feature in the Golf enables assisted driving up to 210 km/h. In this process, the system relies on systems including ACC Adaptive Cruise Control (longitudinal guidance) and Lane Assist lane keeping system (latitudinal guidance). Travel Assist is activated using the multifunction steering wheel. For legal and safety-relevant reasons drivers must permanently monitor the system – for this purpose, they must have at least one hand on the steering wheel. Thanks to new capacitive sensor technology in the steering wheel, it is sufficient if drivers merely touch it. However, if they let go of the steering wheel for more than 15 seconds, visual and audible warning signals and a braking jolt are issued and implemented. The driver must react by this point at the latest and touch the steering wheel, otherwise Emergency Assist is activated and the Golf is brought to a stop.
ACC with predictive speed detection. The latest generation of Adaptive Cruise Control in the Golf is predictive. In this process, the system calculates the position of the Golf based on route and GPS data from the navigation system to lower its speed before reaching bends, roundabouts, junctions, speed limits and built-up areas. At the same time, ACC accesses the Dynamic Road Sign Display via the front camera and adjusts the speed as soon as a limit has been detected. The highest ACC development stage will also feature Traffic Jam Assist.
Front Assist. Front Assist offers new functional scopes. The area monitoring system operating on the basis of a radar sensor and in conjunction with the front camera warns and brakes in emergency situations in the event of an insufficient distance to the vehicle ahead – using the City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring, even at very low speeds in built-up areas. This range of functions is now enhanced by Cyclist Monitoring, swerve support and – for the first time in a Volkswagen – oncoming vehicle braking when turning function.
Oncoming vehicle braking when turning. When the vehicle turns left, the Golf featuring oncoming vehicle braking when turning automatically brakes the vehicle to a stop (while simultaneously emitting an audible and visual warning), providing there is an oncoming vehicle approaching on the lane the vehicle is intending to cross. Depending on the speed at which both vehicles are travelling, the oncoming vehicle braking when turning function can prevent an accident or mitigate the consequences within system limits.
IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights. Volkswagen will offer the new Golf with three different LED headlight versions. For the very first time, the top-of-the-range version will feature particularly powerful IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights in the compact vehicle category. A similar version of the system had been introduced for the first time in the current Touareg before it was transferred to the new Passat. The driver switches on the system using Dynamic Light Assist. Using 22 LEDs per each headlight matrix module, it activates up to ten different, partly interactive light functions and projects them onto the road surface, depending on the Golf model. The sliding turn indicator function of the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights represents a further feature that has been integrated into the Golf for the very first time. The sliding turn indicator function has a positive effect on active safety as a result of its striking looks. Overview of IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlight light functions:
- Dipped headlight
(activated on the basis of speed) - Main beam (activated on the basis of speed)
- Cornering light (activated on the basis of steering wheel angle or turn signal, also when reversing)
- Poor weather light (activated by driver)
- Motorway light (activated on the basis of speed and GPS data)
- Dynamic cornering light in City Light, dipped headlight, motorway light, main beam and partial main beam (activated on the basis of steering wheel angle)
- Sign glare control (activated on the basis of dazzling sensors in the front camera)
- City Light (activated on the basis of speed and GPS data)
- Partial main beam (activated on the basis of dazzling sensors in the front camera)
- Travel mode (switch between left-hand and right-hand traffic, activated by driver in the Vehicle menu)
LED technology as standard
LED headlights and tail light clusters. LEDs already represent the preferred light source from the basic model of the new Golf. LEDs capable of generating daylight conditions for the dipped beam, main beam, position light and daytime running lights are already available with the standard headlights. The tail light clusters at the rear also exclusively feature LED technology. The design and LED outlines thus create an unmistakable, three-dimensional night light signature at the rear. The brake light of the optional, top-of-the-range tail light also features a striking switchover function between LED signatures (click-clack effect) and this version’s turn indicator function also features sliding design.
Exterior background lighting. Depending on the equipment configuration, the new Golf features exterior background lighting for the first time. A Coming Home and Leaving Home animation function is also available as an option. The exterior background lighting is realised via the headlights, tail light clusters, door handle recess lighting and welcome lights in the exterior mirrors. The Coming Home function is activated by switching off the ignition, and Leaving Home by unlocking the Golf. The function is already started as you approach the car with the vehicle key.