The engine does use the G17 sensor to correctly calculate the mixture...
When a stone took out the external G17 Air Temp sensor on my Mk7 it threw up all these codes:-
01-Engine -- Status: Malfunction 0010
03-ABS Brakes -- Status: Malfunction 0010
08-Auto HVAC -- Status: Malfunction 0010
09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
10-Park/Steer Assist -- Status: Malfunction 0010
13-Auto Dist. Reg -- Status: Malfunction 0010
15-Airbags -- Status: Malfunction 0010
17-Instruments -- Status: Malfunction 0010
Yes I have just included the headline module codes & not the details as I am copying from my build thread on another forum....so much relies on the external ambient temp data...
EDIT...
Here is a thread I made on the Ross-Tech forum giving a warning & all details about this & the G17 sensor
https://forums.ross-tech.com/showthread.php?12542-WARNING-about-G17-Ambient-Temperature-Sensor-VW-Golf-MK7