2014 model year changes

[Gryzor]

What build week will this take effect from?

I just called my local VW to confirm, and these options go live from week 22.  If I want the heated screen, which turns out to be a rather expensive one, I can call on 27th May to have them added.

[david25]

Optional advanced phone connection £310
Optional heated windscreen (must be ordered in conjunction with advanced phone connection) £285

Wow, effectively £595 for a heated windscreen!!!

That's a lot of Poundland de-icer!!

You could buy at least 15 years worth of the good stuff (VW) with that.


The Ford screens always have this 'haze' to look through, not nice on a sunny day.

Not for me.

VW say:


I am delighted to learn of your interest in Volkswagen and particularly in the legendary Golf. I can confirm that the technology used for the climate control windscreen is an electronically conductive layer powered by a 12V on board power supply.

It will provide perfect visibility at all times, which means no fogging and it will also clear ice. It is an invisible heating function and there are no wires, like the rear screen.

From http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5896272-Climate-Comfort-Windscreen

[Mr_F]

be good if you could phone in a 'defrost' command from your phone whilst sat in the kitchen eating breaky.

Had this on a chevvy with remote start in the states, Brilliant!

[Jules Winfield]

The German dealer linked from that Vortex thread (http://www.michaelneuhaus.de/golf7/golf7-modelljahr.htm) lists a heated steering wheel as a mid-2013 option ("optional Lenkradheizung").  Now that would be a nice thing to have on a cold winter's morning!

The other mid-2013 onwards options listed for Germany are an optional blind-spot warning system ("optional Tote-Winkel-Warner") and optional progressive steering with variable ratio ("optionale Progressivlenkung (variable Übersetzung)").

[dubber36]

If the premium phone brings a cradle then i think i'll give it a miss!

There was a time when having a phone in your car was something to show off about

[Gryzor]

Haha, class!

I have an iPhone though, so I need to find out if this new "Advanced/Premium Phone Prep" also supports Bluetooth HFP as well as rSAP.  If my phone won't connect at all, there is no way I'm spending £310 extra on something that actually reduces functionality just to get a heated front screen!

[Sootchucker]

Been thinking more and more about this. To be honest, I don't think I'll bother even if it's available. One, I do not need /want the advanced phone thingy, and secondly, I have worries that if the windscreen gets chipped or damaged, then it's not just the front facing camera / light and rain sensor  I have to worry about being replaced / disturbed , but electrical connections to the windscreen itself which are presumably hidden behind the A pillar trims (and near the air bags). I think I would want the minimum dismantling of the car as possible if the screen has to be replaced.

Also, would the insurance companies catch on and put the premiums up, as I would assume these new climate windscreens are horrendously expensive ?

[Gryzor]

Aye, the more I think about this, the more it just doesn't make financial sense.  I have no need, at all, for the advanced phone prep, and if anything, it will render my iPhone useless in the car if I'm to believe what people are saying about rSAP.

Regarding insurance, I'm not aware of companies including a clause if you own a Ford with one fitted.  My mate has a Focus and he said he wasn't told it will cost extra.  Having said that, he's never had to make a claim yet!

[Jimble]

Just to let you know that you can use your iphone through the bluetooth whether it be the advance one or the standard fit one, the phone just won't allow access to the sim card so you can't read txts.

[Gryzor]

Just to let you know that you can use your iphone through the bluetooth whether it be the advance one or the standard fit one, the phone just won't allow access to the sim card so you can't read txts.

Well that's really good to know, thanks Jimble.  At least I wouldn't be losing out on the basic functionality then, and that's all I'm bothered about.  Don't care about SIM access and reading/composing texts while driving!