Volkswagen Safety Features Volkswagen customers recognize their vehicles are designed for comfort, convenience and performance. But they also rely on vehicles to help protect them from events they hope will never happen: collisions. Volkswagen vehicles are engineered for that too! Volkswagen vehicles include numerous safety features designed to help protect occupants. Disclaimer Volkswagen of America, Inc. believes this information to be correct at the time of release. Safety rankings, specifications, standard and optional equipment are subject to change. Images are for illustrative purposes only. Vehicle images may show European models and/or trim levels; U.S. specifications may differ. Volkswagen Safety Features 1
Active Safety CRASH AVOIDANCE y Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Helps enable steering control while braking y Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) Helps prevent loss of wheel traction y Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Can reduces skidding and rollovers y Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) Helps allow for smoother starts on uneven surfaces y Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) Helps maximize braking power y Engine Braking Assist (EBA) Helps to prevent skidding on slippery surfaces y Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) Helps shorten braking distance in panic situations Passive Safety CRASHWORTHINESS y Front and rear crash deformation zones that help absorb energy in a controlled way y Dual front airbags y Side Curtain Protection head and/or thorax airbags (most models) y 3-point safety belts for all seating positions y Front safety belts with pre-tensioners y Anti-intrusion side-impact door beams y Safety cage design/reinforced steel construction y Collapsible steering column y Collapsible accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals Volkswagen Safety Features 2
Crash Tests Help Save Lives Safety is among the many vehicle attributes that appeal to car buyers. Consumers want to know what safety features the cars on their shopping list have to offer. They may also want to know how a vehicle performs in crash tests as an indicator of the car s strength and structural integrity. A vehicle s safety performance is the product of many factors, including driver and occupant behavior, personal judgment and other variables. The design of the car can also influence its real-life safety integrity. Volkswagen cars are engineered to meet or exceed all government safety standards. Crash tests help provide insight into the protection offered by the car itself. All crashes are different and severe injuries can occur. Airbags are supplemental restraints only and will not deploy under all crash circumstances. Always use safety belts and seat children only in the rear, using restraint systems appropriate for their size and age. Volkswagen Safety Features 3
Safety Ratings There are two agencies that conduct crash tests in the U.S. and assign ratings. They are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration () and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (). The difference between and is that is a federal government organization, while is a nonprofit group funded by insurance companies. Both conduct crash tests on various aspects of vehicle safety, but come up with their scores using different rating systems. As part of its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the s rating system encompasses a frontal crash test, two side impacts tests, and a rollover assessment. The NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings Program was updated in 2011 to include more crash data and other changes that resulted in a single Overall Vehicle Score per vehicle. Each year, rates new models based on how well they will help protect people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes. Volkswagen Safety Features 4
FRONT CRASH s frontal test helps measure the likelihood for driver or passenger injury when a vehicle crashes straight into a full-width fixed barrier at 35 mph. conducts two types of offset frontal crash tests: y A moderate-overlap crash at 40 mph into a deformable barrier that engages 40 percent of the test vehicle in front of the driver y A 40-mph small-overlap crash test, inaugurated in 2012, that engages just 25 percent of the vehicle s front into a fixed barrier Volkswagen Safety Features 5
SIDE CRASH The side-impact assessment averages a car s performance in two separate tests: y Standing vehicle is struck in the side by a 3,015-pound weight sled traveling at 38.5 mph The side-impact test uses a 3,300 pound moving barrier that hits the driver s side of the test vehicle at 31 mph. The barrier helps simulate a car being hit on the side at 90 degrees by a typical-height SUV or truck. y Test vehicle is pulled sideways into a fixed pole at 20 mph, striking the driver s seating position Volkswagen Safety Features 6
ROOF STRENGTH/ROLLOVER s rollover rating is based on a mathematical formula that takes into account a car s width and center of gravity. While doesn t actually test vehicles for rollover risk, the agency maintains that this test is valid based on comparisons with statistics from actual car crashes. In the rollover test, a metal plate is used to apply pressure to one side of the test vehicle s roof. Calculating the amount of pressure required to intrude 5 inches into the passenger compartment as well as the weight of the vehicle itself, rates the strength of the roof. If the roof withstands at least four times the vehicle s weight, it earns a Good rating. Volkswagen Safety Features 7
RATINGS Once has concluded all three tests the front-impact and both side-impact tests they add up the numbers for the rollover assessment, and a single overall score of crashworthiness is given. The uses a scale of one to five stars. For each of its crash tests moderate offset frontal, small offset frontal, side, roof strength, and a rear-collision test for head restraints and seats the uses a four-level scale: Poor, Marginal, Acceptable, and Good. Models that score Good or Acceptable on the small offset frontal test and Good on all other tests qualify for the rating of Top Safety Pick. To earn a + award, models must meet the Top Safety Pick criteria plus have an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention. Volkswagen Safety Features 8
Where Do They Rank? While every vehicle sold in the U.S. is required to meet all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, not every model of vehicle can be tested by and each year. The table below shows the Volkswagen models that were tested and scored highest by and/or. Golf Golf Alltrack Golf GTI Golf R Golf SportWagen (No other 2017 Volkswagen models rated) Golf Golf GTI Golf R Golf SportWagen (No other 2016 Volkswagen models rated) Golf 2-Door (No other 2015 Volkswagen models rated) MY2017 MY2016 MY2015 + Golf Alltrack Golf SportWagen Golf GTI 4-Door + Golf GTI 4-Door Golf SportWagen Golf SportWagen GTI 4-Door SAFETY Volkswagen Safety Features 9
Where Do They Rank? (continued) (No other 2014 Volkswagen models rated) (No other 2013 Volkswagen models rated) (No other 2012 Volkswagen models rated) (No other 2011 Volkswagen models rated) MY2014 MY2013 MY2012 MY2011 + CC 2.0T GTI 4-Door CC 2.0T GTI 4-Door SportWagen CC 2.0T GTI 4-Door SportWagen Touareg Routan Touareg SportWagen Touareg Volkswagen Safety Features 10
Where to Find Ratings Every new vehicle sold in the United States must display a window sticker known as the Monroney label. The Monroney label includes a section that displays how the vehicle performed in s 5-Star Safety Ratings System tests. Visit the following websites for more information on the 5-Star Safety Ratings System and general vehicle safety: SAFERCAR.GOV SaferCar.gov, the official website for the federal government s 5-Star Safety Ratings System, is a comprehensive site providing consumer information about safe driving tips, defects, recalls, and passenger safety. Dealers can access promotional templates to educate car buyers about the 5-Star Safety Ratings System..GOV s official website contains information on vehicle and driving safety, fuel economy, and laws and regulations..org Click on the Ratings tab on the website for a search feature to find Volkswagen models that have been tested and rated by. Volkswagen Safety Features 11