Digital cockpit as standard. The Golf Variant and Golf Alltrack are cars that are more closely integrated with their owners than ever before. The basis for this includes standard digital instruments (Digital Cockpit Pro) with a 10-inch display, the also standard Discover Media infotainment system (10.0-inch touchscreen) and a multifunction steering wheel. It’s important to note that all infotainment systems form part of the new, third generation of the modular infotainment matrix (MIB3). They are all linked to an online connectivity unit (OCU) featuring an eSIM. OCU and eSIM provide access to a permanently growing range of online-based functions and services that are made available using the brand’s own Volkswagen We ecosystem. It means that, as standard, We Connect (unlimited usage period) and We Connect Plus (delivered with free use in Europe for one or three years) can be used in the new Golf Variant.
Digital architecture. The fusion of the Digital Cockpit Pro and infotainment system creates a new, consistently digital architecture. Light and vision functions have also been redesigned, bundled and made more intuitive to operate: the lights as well as the windscreen and rear window heating are now operated using a digital panel to the left of the instruments. The centre console is also characterised by perfect ergonomics: this area is now clearer than ever – particularly with the inclusion of the shift-by-wire gear knob for the automatic dual clutch gearboxes (DSG), which is significantly smaller than previously. The theme is continued in the new roof console, where operation has also been digitalised, including a touch slider for the optional tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof. The touch sliders are also used to adjust the temperature of the air conditioning system and to control the volume.
Networked infotainment and entertainment. As an option, the driver’s digital workplace can be customised with the premium navigation system Discover Pro. Among other things, this features high-end map navigation and natural voice control. A windscreen head-up display is also available. The head-up display is directly projected onto the windscreen and thus virtually floats in front of the driver.
Harman Kardon sound system. New optional features include the 480-watt Harman Kardon sound system with 12-channel Ethernet amplifier and 10 speakers. The loudspeakers turn the interior into a concert hall. There is one treble speaker (60 mm diameter) in the A-pillars and rear door trim, and a bass speaker (168 mm) in the front and rear door trim panels on each side of the vehicle. In addition, there is a centre speaker (116 mm) in the dash panel at the front, and a subwoofer (18 inches in diameter) fitted into the spare wheel well.
Interior background lighting. From the Life equipment line upwards, the Golf Variant comes as standard with interior background lighting that can be set to ten different colours. The selected colour illuminates the decorative trim in the dash panel, decorative door trims at the front and rear, stowage compartments in the four doors, front footwells (also rear footwells from Style upwards) and central stowage compartment in the front centre console; the digital instruments and the infotainment system also take on the selected background colour. 30-colour background lighting is also available as an option depending on the vehicle variant. Along with the individual colours – variably adjustable for different interior zones – pre-configured lighting profiles can be selected by simply touching a “mood menu”.
Personalisation. The customised settings are directly saved in the Golf Variant or can optionally also be saved in the cloud, meaning they are available again even after having changed driver or vehicle. Depending on the equipment, this includes the Innovision Cockpit setup, the seating position, exterior mirrors and air conditioning system, background lighting and the coming home/leaving home light.
Intuitive voice control. Depending on the equipment, a new natural voice control system is available as an option or comes as standard in the Golf Variant. The system is simply activated by saying “Hello Volkswagen” or pressing the voice button on the steering wheel. For instance, the Golf Variant now responds with “Yes, please?” and “What would you like to do?” and reacts to intuitive voice commands, such as “I’m cold” (automatic air conditioner). New, digital microphones not only ensure perfect voice recognition and voice quality (for phone calls), but also locate the person who is speaking (driver or front passenger). You can control the navigation system, air conditioning system, phone and Infotainment with voice commands, for example. Integration of the optional Alexa web app will also follow.
“Alexa, what’s the weather like today?” The following vehicle-related functions can be controlled via Alexa: Point of Interest (POI) search within the local area, POI entry in the navigation map and volume control. Functions normally used at home can also be called up, such as information requests, weather information, news, opening times, and smart home controls. A command such “Alexa, switch the light on in the lounge,” is all it takes to activate the relevant function. In the Golf Variant, Alexa can be controlled in English (US/UK), German, French, Italian, and Spanish.
Smart electronics makes operation easier. The driver’s gearshifts in the new Golf Variant with dual clutch gearbox (DSG) are also controlled fully electronically: the system manages them through shift-by-wire. Thanks to these electronically operated gear changes, the gear knob firstly becomes a lot smaller to thus save space while simultaneously boosting gearshift comfort. An example: thanks to shift-by-wire, the vehicle can already engage reverse while it is travelling forwards at low speeds to make manoeuvring easier. The Golf Variant does not make its smooth shift to “R” until the speed is right. The electronics system consequently prevents incorrect operation. The optional 3-zone automatic air conditioning (Climatronic) is also controlled by smart technology. It boasts a number of new functions: Smart Climate can be used to launch preconfigured air conditioning functions – “Clear screen”, “Warm feet”, “Warm hands”, “Cool feet”, and “Fresh air” – from the screen or via voice control.
App Connect Wireless. The latest version of App Connect offers added convenience: App Connect Wireless, which comes as standard in the Golf Variant. Drivers and front passengers can use App Connect to directly access selected smartphone apps using the Infotainment system. In the predecessor, this was only possible by connecting a cable between the smartphone and the infotainment system as the conventional standard. These functions are now also available wirelessly via Bluetooth with iPhone and Apple CarPlay.
Online is standard. As standard, the new Golf Variant features We Connect (unlimited usage period) and We Connect Plus (delivered with free use in Europe for one or three years). The following basic functions are also on board: personalisation (saves personal settings), e-Call (automatic or manual assistance in emergency situations) and Emergency Call Service (support by a multilingual call centre).
We Connect. We Connect features the following functions:
- Mobile Key (depending on equipment; unlock, lock and start the Golf Variant using a compatible smartphone)
- Breakdown Call
- Vehicle Status
- Doors & Lights
- Automatic Accident Notification
- Vehicle Health Report
- Driving Data
- Parking Position
- Service Scheduling
We Connect Plus. Depending on the equipment, We Connect Plus features the following functions additionally to the We Connect scope:
- Area Alert
- Speed Alert
- Horn & Turn Signals
- Online Anti-Theft Alarm
- Remote Ventilation Control
- Lock & Unlock
- Departure Times (for plug-in hybrid drive)
- Air Conditioning (for plug-in hybrid drive)
- Charging (for plug-in hybrid drive)
- Online Traffic Information plus hazard information
- Online Route Calculation
- Filling stations and charging stations
- Online Map Update
- Parking spaces
- Online POI Search
- Online Voice Control
- We Deliver (means you can receive deliveries and services in the Golf Variant)
- Internet radio
- Media streaming (Tidal and Apple Music)
- Wi-Fi hotspot
We Connect Fleet. The optional We Connect Fleet (digital fleet management) service has been developed for companies. This service offers the following functions:
- Digital Logbook
- Digital Cost Logbook
- Fleet Driving Efficiency
- GPS Tracking & Route Information
- Consumption Analyser
- Maintenance Management
Mobile key. As an option, a compatible smartphone becomes the vehicle key. We Connect is once again the interface for this. No mobile network connection is required to use the smartphone as a mobile key. It is sufficient to place the smartphone near the door handle in the same way as the keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access opens the vehicle. Place the smartphone in the centre console (in the storage compartment with interface for mobile telephone) to start the engine. Furthermore, it is possible to send the mobile key to friends or family so that they can also use their smartphone as a key.