Infotainment in the Test: In the Passat, a fresh Online blowing Wind

Since Volkswagen first of all: Who acquires the last year modernized Passat, with the appropriate equipment variant its streaming services without a paired Smartphone, or additional Sim-card. The built-in E-Sim from VW takes care of this Job, the auto manufacturer the cost. The works, for example, with Apple Music, or Tidal, can be directly in the infotainment system. The package of Online Connectivity Unit, OCU, and also links up with We Connect, the App and Online platform of the company.

Michael Spehr

editor in the Department "technology and Motor".

In the VW Passat you need the navigation system Discover Media or Discover Pro. Both received the additional name "Streaming & Internet" and costs an extra charge of 1100 and 3000 euros. The more expensive the Discover Pro with the new digital Cockpit, and also an Apple Carplay and Android Auto wireless connect. There is then, a voice control, as well as an inductive charging cradle for the Smartphone, a traffic sign recognition as well as gesture control.

In contrast to the previous Top System in the VW Touareg, the settings for the air conditioning be had with mechanical buttons and Rotary switches done. But otherwise, the far-reaching renunciation of the switch and the turntable also applies here. Even the volume of the Hi-system must be set on the Display, as a longstop, two buttons on the steering Wheel to act, however.

The Navigation learning

the operation of The Discover Pro is only through the touch-sensitive Display, which protects a surface of the glass. That the system is "always on" is, as Volkswagen says, we would not sign it. After starting the engine, many long seconds pass, however, until the Navigation is finally available. The base of the Navis from the older model series, but a lot is new. Proximity sensors hide menus, as soon as the display detects an approaching Finger, and fundamentally new is the main menu. With a tip on the icons you will be linked directly in individual functional departments. A "Shop" named tile brings up the Option to provide more services to buy.

The main screen shows the Details of the well-known menus for Navigation, telephony, Radio, and media playback. New to the older VW systems, three-dimensional city models are, and the traffic information to more work with predictive, the predictive models. As with other vehicle manufacturers, Navigation learn here, you captured frequently used routes and proposes this. The slightly improved voice recognition remains on the VW level, and cannot compete with other top-class systems, although the manufacturer of a "natural language control" speaks of the work with Cloud and Online connection. And Yes, the System responds to "Hello Volkswagen".