‘Dooring’ no more!

Potential dangers? We’ve got you covered! A new exit warning system introduced in Europe by Volkswagen has yours — and everyone else’s — safety in mind, especially cyclists on the road! The latest generation of the VW assist system now comes as standard in the electric ID.7, the new Passat and the new Tiguan. It is presented as an available option in the Golf, ID.4 and ID.5. The way this system works is by calling attention to road users approaching from behind when the vehicle is stationary. This is particularly helpful in dense city traffic, where cyclists are at greater risk from opening vehicle doors. It is these cyclists, amounting to as many as 500 per year in Great Britain alone, who are “doored.” Thanks to this new technology, which alerts via illumination of mirrors and also the sound of a chime for a clear auditory cue, those riding down a street full of parked cars can be at ease. Here’s how!

What else we know!

The new assist system warns both drivers and passengers about road users who are approaching the parked VW from behind. This exit warning system provides protection to not only driver and passenger front doors but also to the rear doors.

For the ID.7, the highest specification of the assist system is found. It works by scanning the area behind the Volkswagen via two rear radar sensors, one on the left and right in the bumper. It informs the passengers of a danger before the door handle is even operated. And, if a road user is approaching the vehicle, an LED light in the exterior mirror automatically lights up as the first warning level. This system is so thorough that even if one of the door openers is pressed, the door is also prevented from opening for a short time. A warning sound alerts if the door is open. To even further assist in the area of safety, the system remains alive for three minutes after the vehicle has been parked and switched off in order to cover all passengers who exit.

Within the new Passat and Tiguan, the exit system works similarly to the ID.7 with the use of the LED light in the exterior mirror to alert of an approach from behind, even before the door handle is operated. If a door handle is operated, the system works by alerting via an acoustic warning sound that comes through a speaker in that particular door. Being that both of these models are equipped with mechanical door locks, the additional door opening delay feature from the ID.7 is unavailable.

The ID.4 and ID.5 is presented with an exit warning system as well, which is nearly identical to the ID.7. The only exception is the LED light in the exterior mirror is only activated in the case of danger when the passengers operate one of the door handles. In addition, warning levels including the respective door and the electronic opening delay are the same as those within the ID.7.

For the Golf, the first VW with an exit warning system, things work similarly to the ID.4 and ID.7, and like the Passat and Tiguan MQB models, the Golf comes equipped with mechanical door locks, which results in the additional door opening delay feature being unavailable.

While clearly clever, these new features also take advantage of technology that is already installed in these vehicles. In addition to preventing injury of cyclists, with delivery vehicles such as vans making upwards of 200 stops a day, any help that can be had for both drivers and the cyclists, is a welcome hand.

This technology is particularly effective in urban environments, with Volkswagen committed to integrating this safety feature as a standard one in its ID.7 model. This move sets a benchmark for safety in the electric vehicle category, with the new Passat and Tiguan also greatly benefitting from this safety enhancement.

A consistent level of protection will surely result, and is especially timely and relevant as the automotive industry continues to prioritize various safety innovations. This is indeed one of them. Dooring no more! We’ve got you covered