2016 Golf, Sportwagen, Jetta and GTi earn Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that the 2016 Volkswagen Golf 4-door, Golf SportWagen, Golf GTI 4-door, and Jetta models, when equipped with the optional Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) system, have been awarded 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ ratings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2016 Golf, Golf SportWagen, Golf GTI, and Jetta models offer a combination of both passive and active systems that are engineered to meet or exceed current crash regulations. 

These Volkswagen models are equipped with the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System as standard and are available with the following advanced driver assistance features: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), an active Lane Departure Warning system (Lane Assist), and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert.

The IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award is issued to vehicles that have met TOP SAFETY PICK criteria—good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraint tests, no less than an acceptable rating in the small overlap front test—and have earned an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention system performance.

IIHS launched its front crash prevention rating program in 2013 to help consumers sort through a maze of technologies and zero in on the most effective systems. Under a three-tier rating program, models with optional or standard front crash prevention systems are rated as superior, advanced or basic. 

Ratings are determined by whether the vehicles have available front crash prevention systems, and, if so, how it performs in 12 and 25 mph autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning tests.  

To assess the performance, points are awarded based on the braking and warning performance in the tests. Vehicles that have a warning system only earn a basic rating, provided the system meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration performance criteria.  

For details, visit www.iihs.org

Volkswagen’s Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking system (Front Assist) system uses one or more radar sensors combined with a camera to help monitor the distance of traffic ahead of the vehicle. 

Within physical system limits, Forward Collision Warning helps alert the driver of critical front-end collision situations, both acoustically and visually by a clear warning symbol in the instrument cluster above 19 mph, and, if necessary, braking is initiated to slow the vehicle in the system speed range. 

If the driver fails to apply the brakes, the system autonomously applies them; if the pedal is engaged but the driver brakes too lightly, the pressure is increased by the system (targeted braking).

“This year’s Top Safety Pick+ awards demonstrate Volkswagen’s longstanding commitment to vehicle safety and the development of innovative technologies,” said Mark Barnes, Vice President, Sales, Volkswagen of America, Inc. 

“Our available driver assistance systems and safety features show Volkswagen’s commitment to introduce systems that were once only seen on high-end luxury and premium vehicles, such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning.”

The 2016 Golf, Golf GTI, Golf SportWagen, and Jetta TSI® models will be arriving in dealerships during the month of August. 

The Driver Assistance Package is available on select Golf, Golf GTI, and Golf SportWagen models, priced at $1,495, and includes: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Park Distance Control (Park Pilot), and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist). 

The newly updated Driver Assistance Package for select Jetta models is priced at $950 and includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist).