Volkswagen has introduced a wide-ranging series of improvements across the Golf range for 2017.

Key facts – the Golf update in summary

1.  World premieres: Volkswagen presents the updated 2 and 4-door Golf as well as the Golf GTI, Golf GTE and Golf Variant.

2. The “Discover Pro” infotainment system with gesture control makes its debut in the compact class.

3. The range of infotainment systems has been redesigned and fitted with larger touchscreens.

4. Range of online services expanded; “Guide & Inform” as well as “Security & Service” for models with a navigation system.

5. The spectrum of assistance systems in the Golf is increased, featuring Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist for the first time.

6. Newly developed 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) will gradually replace all 6-speed DSGs for the Golf.

7. Front and rear sections with new bumpers. Full LED tail lights; animated indicators for the top-of-the-range version.

8. Brand new LED headlights replace all Xenon headlights for the 2017 model year Golf and Golf Variant.

In brief – the world premiere of the 2017 model year Golf

Volkswagen is digitalising the Golf with a major update. The main focus of the 2017 model year is – alongside new engines, keener design and new assistance systems – a completely new generation of infotainment systems. The top-of-the-range “Discover Pro” system can be operated by gesture control. With its 9.2-inch screen it forms a conceptual and visual entity with the Active Info Display, which is also new to the Golf. In parallel to this, the range of online services and apps has also been enlarged. The update to the Golf also reflects a new standard for assistance systems in the compact class: technologies such as City Emergency Braking with new Pedestrian Monitoring function, the new Traffic Jam Assist (partially automated driving at speeds of up to about 40 mph) and Emergency Assist, which is also new in this segment, significantly improve safety.

A new 7-speed DSG. A new 7-speed DSG (dual clutch gearbox) will gradually replace the 6-speed DSG as a high-efficiency gearbox for the Golf.

Powerful, more refined design and new LED lights. The modifications include new bumpers at the front and rear, new halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, new full LED headlights instead of xenon headlights, new front wings, new full LED tail lights – which come as standard for every version of the Golf – as well as new wheels and colours, and the interior of the 2017 model year Golf is finished off with refined new decorative trims and fabrics. The range of equipment versions of the Golf remains unchanged.

Golf GTE. Similar to the Golf GTI, with its red design elements, the latest Golf GTE features the characteristic blue design elements of the plug-in hybrid version. The blue winglets in the GTE’s new LED headlights, which also come as standard, are designed to emphasise the dynamism of this efficient Volkswagen.

Golf Variant. A new rear bumper is designed to make the Golf Variant appear more elongated and elegant. The full LED tail lights, which also come as standard with this version, suit this look perfectly. Just like the Passat Variant, the Golf Variant is also available with sophisticated trapezoidal chrome trim panels, which are directly integrated into the diffuser, as an option.

Digital Golf – Active Info Display, gesture control and online services

Digital instrumentation and gesture control.The update of the Golf is most readily visible inside, because the 2017 model year offers a new and increasingly digital display and control concept. It is based on the new Active Info Display and the first infotainment system with gesture control to be offered in a Volkswagen. Along with this, Volkswagen has updated its range of infotainment systems. Its most important characteristic is the new design, larger touchscreens and – in the case of the top-of-the-range “Discover Pro” model – gesture control, which is implemented here for the first time in the Golf’s compact car class.

Active Info Display – the full digital cockpit

Instrumentation for a new generation. The Golf’s Active Info Display is a fully digital instrument cluster with numerous interactive functions. All of the instruments are displayed virtually on the 12.3-inch colour display. The navigation information can be displayed in 2D or 3D. Its resolution of 1,440 x 540 pixels enables extremely precise and sophisticated interactive display of all the details. There are five different information profiles, in which the kind of information and graphics displayed in certain areas changes. The driver can select from one of the following profiles: “Classic”, “Consumption & Range”, “Efficiency”, “Performance & Driver Assistance” or “Navigation”. The “Navigation” profile is a good example of the interactive features of the Active Info Display: here, the speedometer and rev counter are moved to the sides to make more room for the map in the middle. Information on driving, navigation and assistance functions can also be integrated into the graphic areas of the speedometer and rev counter, as required. Data such as telephone contact images or CD covers can also be displayed on the Active Info Display. Depending on the model, the graphics can be customised: in the Golf GTI, for example, the graphics use GTI red as a contrasting colour, while the Golf GTE uses GTE blue to help the instruments blend in with the look of the plug-in hybrid. The Active Info Display is available as an optional extra for all versions of the Golf, as an alternative to analogue instruments.

The latest generation of the MIB – with gesture control for the first time

World premiere. Gesture control celebrates its world premiere in the compact class with its debut in the updated Golf. It will be available with the top-of-the-range version of the modular infotainment matrix (MIB) – “Discover Pro” as soon as the new model year is launched.

6.5- to 9.2-inch screens. Volkswagen has replaced all of the existing infotainment systems in the Golf with a new generation of the MIB. The most important feature is that all of the systems now offer a new design and larger touchscreens, although the names of the infotainment systems remain unchanged. The 5-inch “Composition Touch” and “Composition Colour” systems (with a display resolution of 400 x 240 pixels) have been replaced by the new 6.5-inch “Composition Colour” system, with a touchscreen resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, and the black-and-white “Composition Touch” has been discontinued. The next level up, “Composition Media” and “Discover Media” (incl. navigation) have so far had 6.5-inch screens. They have also been replaced by systems with the same names, but with 8.0-inch screens, while the resolution of 800 x 480 pixels also remains unchanged. The 8.0-inch screen of the top-of-the-range “Discover Pro” system (incl. navigation) will from now on be replaced by a 9.2-inch touchscreen, with the resolution increased from 800 x 480 to 1280 x 640 pixels. The new “Discover Pro” will be the first Volkswagen infotainment system to offer both touch- and voice-command operation with gesture control in addition to proximity sensors – a world premiere in the compact car segment. Volkswagen plans to introduce the new systems in several other product lines in the course of 2017.

Individually configurable home screen. In contrast to the previous version of the “Discover Pro”, the driver can now also configure the home screen. The navigation function is displayed  in a large panel on the left of the screen, while there are two smaller panels arranged verticallyon the right. The driver can assign important functions to these two display panels, which are also interactive – for instance the radio or the media library in the top panel and his phone contacts in the bottom panel. Like on a smartphone, as soon as the driver touches the “Home” button, the system will return to the personalised home screen.

Gesture, touch and voice control. Another first  is that the “Discover Pro” system is now performed by gesture and touch controls as well as voice control. The new “Discover Pro” is also equipped with a proximity sensor, thanks to which even more menu functions appear on the display when a hand comes close to the screen.

Gesture control. Gesture control can be used in various different menus, allowing the driver to scroll through the main menu, change radio stations, flip through the playlist or browse through the Picture Viewer and albums in the media library (CoverFlow). A ‘light flare’ indicates which options can be operated by gesture control and operation is supported by visual interactive feedback.

Fully integrated and with maximum compatibility. The range of equipment offered with the “Discover Pro” system also includes an amp with an output of 4 x 20 watts, a DVD drive, two USB ports (Apple compatible), two SD card slots, AUX-IN socket, a 10 GB SSD drive, the full range of music playback capabilities, a movie player, jukebox, podcast player, proximity sensor and voice control as well as navigation. Optional are a “Rear View” (reversing camera), DAB+, up to two extra USB sockets as well as two mobile phone interfaces. In the updated Golf the driver or front seat passenger can simply put their smartphone in a redesigned optional storage compartment with an interface for mobile telephones (“Comfort” mobile phone pre-installation). The phone can be charged and coupled to the vehicle’s external antenna inductively – that is, without cables, (in accordance with the Qi standard). Other optional extras include the Car-Net options “App Connect”, “Security & Service” (new in the Golf) and “Guide & Inform”, while “Media Control” is available as an optional extra for the infotainment functions.

Media Control. With the “Media Control” app, Volkswagen offers an infotainment interface for tablets (and smartphones). The app can be used to control many of the functions of the infotainment system from a tablet or phone. Passengers simply connect their tablet to the “Discover Media” or “Discover Pro” infotainment system using the WiFi hotspot. The systems that can be controlled include the radio, all audio and video sources (e.g. USB, CD, DVD, hard drive) as well as the navigation system. The information shown on the menu includes artist, album name and cover. Standard features in the navigation menu are supplemented by an address-search function that uses the Internet and which can also be used to enter selected search results as destinations. Over and above this, rear seat passengers can also send calendar events and address book entries on the tablet or smartphone to the infotainment system as destinations for the navigation system now, turning “Media Control“ into a mobile extension of the infotainment system and an affordable modern-day rear seat entertainment system.

Volkswagen Car-Net – apps and online services for the Golf

App Connect. The latest generation of the modular infotainment matrix allows the Golf to connect to current Apple and Android smartphones via App Connect, because, along with MirrorLink (Android), App Connect can now also integrate CarPlay (Apple) and Android Auto (Google) into vehicle infotainment systems.

Security & Service. This is the first time that Volkswagen has offered the “Security & Service” package in the Golf. This gives the driver mobile access to assistance in a wide range of situations. The highlights include services such as “Automatic Accident Notification”, “Breakdown Call” and “Service Scheduling” (for making maintenance appointments with your garage). Breakdown Call allows the driver to use the infotainment system to contact the Volkswagen Emergency Call Centre, which can then arrange for prompt assistance or medical attention, while the system already sends the vehicle data and its location to the emergency services when the driver calls for roadside assistance. Over and above this, “Security & Service” offers functions like online monitoring of “Doors & Lights” as well as information on “Parking Position” (by smartphone or web portal). Other features include “Area Alert” (which automatically notifies you if the Golf is driven in or leaves certain areas) and “Speed Alert” (which is activated as soon as a certain speed is exceeded). Another feature is the “Online Anti-Theft Alarm”, which will send you a notification via the Volkswagen Car-Net app on your smartphone or by email if an attempt is made to break into the car.

New assistance systems

With the 2017 model year Volkswagen is expanding the range of assistance systems, adding Traffic Jam Assist, the new Pedestrian Monitoring for Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Trailer Assist, which is the first time that a trailer manoeuvring system has been available in the compact class, and Emergency Assist. The proactive passenger protection system (PreCrash) has also been refined.

Semi-automated driving in traffic jams. Volkswagen has developed Traffic Jam Assist on the basis of Lane Assist (lane departure warning system) and ACC (automatic distance control) for all Golf models with a DSG gearbox. It makes driving in jams safer, as the assistant helps the driver to avoid the rear-end collisions. By combining various assistance systems the Golf is, for the first time, capable of partially automated driving.

Lane Assist plus ACC. Lane Assist provides the basis for this system with adaptive lane guidance even at speeds of below 60 km/h. Not only does the system countersteer to make corrections if the car is about to leave the lane, but, with adaptive lane guidance enabled, it also keeps the Golf in the middle of the driving lane or in the driver’s preferred position. ACC is also integrated in Traffic Jam Assist as a second assistance system, because, with ACC, braking and accelerating is automatic even at stop-and-go speeds. ACC and Lane Assist thus merge into Traffic Jam Assist, which means that the system enables assisted lateral and longitudinal guidance. The car steers, accelerates and brakes automatically, within the system’s boundaries, but only under the condition that the driver’s hands are on the steering wheel and participating in steering, so that the driver can intervene at any time.

Emergency Assist – in an emergency, the Golf can stop automatically

The Golf notices if the driver is incapacitated.Another system in which Lane Assist and ACC merge to create a new assistance system is Emergency Assist: as soon as the sensors detect that the driver is not making any steering, braking or acceleration movements any more, the system initiates various escalating actions to alert the driver, and if the driver remains inactive, it initiates an emergency stop. The hazard warning lights are activated automatically and the Golf executes a gentle steering manoeuvre to make surrounding traffic aware of the hazardous situation. ACC prevents the vehicle from colliding with the traffic ahead. Finally, the system brakes the Golf gradually to a standstill to avoid a serious accident, if possible.

Front Assist and City Emergency Braking – detects pedestrians

Safety in the city. Front Assist is a system which warns the driver and brakes automatically in the event of an imminent collision. One component of the Front Assist system is the City Emergency Braking function. The latest version of the Front Assist function is not only capable of detecting other vehicles, but also pedestrians who are crossing the street. As soon as a pedestrian is at risk, the system warns the driver and eventually slows the Golf down autonomously.

Personalisation – individual settings are saved

The key serves as your ID. Drivers can open the user management menu to activate their individual user account, and thus implement their individual settings. Drivers simply identify themselves using their car key, which takes place when the Golf is unlocked. This activates initial settings such as adjusting the seat position on the driver’s side, which can now be saved using the memory function. An overview of personalisation options in the Golf, depending on the specific equipment version:

• Ambient lighting
• ACC Adaptive Cruise Control
• Front Assist
• Infotainment system (incl. media library, navigation & telephone)
• Automatic air conditioning settings
• Instrument cluster/multifunction display
• Lane Assist
• Light and Sight (“leaving home” and “coming home” functions, rain sensor and automatic dimming rear-view mirror)
• Park Assist
• Locking/unlocking
• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert
• Driver’s seat (seat with memory function)

New gearboxes

New 7-speed DSG. Volkswagen has also developed a new 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG). The new DSG will gradually replace all of the 6-speed DSGs used in the Golf to date, helping to cut CO₂.