VW CEO confirms infotainment overhaul in the pipeline

Among our ranks in this year’s Performance Shootout fleet was a brand new Volkswagen Golf 8 R. Despite being endowed with the many wonders common across all VW’s R-line cars, the 8R had one persistent flaw, its infotainment.

infotainment

Image: Volkswagen

The 8R. The most powerful Golf badge bearer to date and one of the most exhilarating cars to send up a winding mountain pass. As good as it is mechanically, the infotainment is the greatest drawback we experienced during our week-long adventure, but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. According to Car Magazine UK, VW CEO Thomas Schäfer has admitted that the infotainment, which includes the software and hardware, present in VW’s newer models is less than ideal. In the hands of cantankerous and often belligerent motoring journalists, the 8R (for the most part) found itself in good standing with the team. However, all that glitters is not gold.

infotainment

Image: Volkswagen

While the interior is on par with modern Volkswagen standards, the infotainment (interface and hardware) is clunky, condensed and, more often than not, a hindrance to the driving experience. The software itself offers very little assistance to the driver. Features and settings are hidden in almost invisible sub-menus, with the placement of the screen itself unnervingly close to other cabin elements.

infotainment

Image: Volkswagen

Poor illumination, counterintuitive design and a lacklustre operating system become the Achilles heel of modern VWs, specifically the Caddy and Golf models. Schäfer promises that over-the-air updates will spearhead the rectification of the less-than-ideal MIB3 operating system. Expect updates to begin at the end of this year, with hardware updates such as physical buttons being introduced early next year with new steering wheels. The next Tiguan will be the foundation for the new 3.0 software, which VW are scrambling to integrate into existing VW models.

Related: VW steering controls are no longer a touchy subject, buttons will return!

There has yet to be any confirmation from Volkswagen SA about whether these updates will include South African models and what the promised physical updates could mean for existing VW Golf and Caddy owners.

The post VW CEO confirms infotainment overhaul in the pipeline appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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