Volkswagen To Convey Again Push Buttons On Steering Wheels

Know-how is nice, however why change one thing that has been working completely high quality for many years? Perhaps it is for the sake of including a bullet level to a press launch mentioning a brand new “characteristic” to indicate it isn’t only a carryover merchandise. This strategy within the automotive trade backfires now and again. Living proof, Volkswagen has been closely criticized for putting in touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheels of a few of its newest merchandise.

Nicely, it appears to be like as if the Wolfsburg model has listened and guarantees to repair the difficulty by reverting to standard controls you merely push. Thomas Schäfer, the pinnacle of the VW core model, took to LinkedIn to announce the corporate he is operating has listened to buyer suggestions and can eliminate the contact keys on the steering wheel.

“We’re sharpening our portfolio and our design, plus creating a brand new simplicity in working our autos. For instance, we’re bringing again the push-button steering wheel! That is what prospects need from VW.”

The facelifted Golf due in 2023 might be the primary to eliminate the contact panel. On the finish of final month, a prototype was noticed that includes a large touchscreen for the infotainment system however with conventional steering wheel controls. Many homeowners would argue placing the “old-school” buttons again solely solves half of the automotive’s inside issues.

The fixation on contact controls extends to the middle console the place the Golf has a slider for adjusting the temperature. To make issues worse, it isn’t illuminated. The slider was nonetheless there on the take a look at car caught by automotive paparazzi in September, so bringing again the HVAC buttons appears extremely unlikely at this level. The silver lining is there is a Clima button for fast entry to the settings by means of the touchscreen.

No matter modifications VW intends to use subsequent yr with the Golf’s facelift will possible be carried over to sister fashions SEAT/Cupra Leon and the Skoda Octavia. Lest we neglect the Golf has already obtained extra computing energy for the infotainment for faster operation. There have been additionally some teething issues with the software program, which has been refined with OTA updates.