Driver assistance systems.

An important safety criterion is perception, the driver’s own perception of his environment playing as important a role as perception by other road users. The frequently used slogan “see and be seen” is the catchy simplification of this principle. Here, too, Volkswagen offers systems that assist the driver and consequently increase safety.

Xenon headlights with dynamic and static cornering lights improve the illumination of bends or the area the vehicle is turning into by up to 90 percent.
In the case of the dynamic cornering lights, the beam of lights follows the turn angle of the steering wheels above a speed of 10 km/h. Actuating motors in the headlight units swivel the headlights according to the steering angle and vehicle speed in order to light up the bend as effectively as possible. To avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, the sweep of the dynamic cornering lights is restricted to 15 degrees. This system helps the driver to pick out the course of the bend as well as obstacles, people or animals sooner. The driver gains additional response time, the risk of accidents is reduced considerably.

When the vehicle is stationary, an additional reflector with a separate halogen bulb behind the parking light reflector performs the function of the static cornering light. With the steering wheel turned or the indicator activated, this static light illuminates the area the vehicle is turning into at an angle of about 35 degrees and several metres wide. This means that pedestrians waiting next to the vehicle can be seen sooner and better by the driver. The signalling effect of the static cornering light also catches the attention of other road users.